Canada Express Entry System

Canada’s Express Entry immigration system can be confusing. Express Entry uses a complicated points-based ranking system to select the most competitive candidates to become Canadian permanent residents. Most people interested in Express Entry want to know: What are my chances? Today, we’re going to explain the Express Entry system and take you through a couple of examples to showcase the different possibilities for Express Entry immigration.

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is Canada’s federal system for managing economic immigration applications. Express Entry includes three major programs: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Trades (FST).

All three programs require interested candidates to create an Express Entry profile, where they list their personal information and their qualifications for immigration. This profile is considered an Expression of Interest (EOI) but is not an official application for immigration. Based on their profile, every candidate is assigned a score out of 1200 points; this is called a Comprehensive Ranking System Score or CRS Score. Approximately every two weeks, the Canadian government conducts an Express Entry draw where they select the profiles with the highest score and they issue official Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent residence

What are my chances of success with Express Entry?

When people ask: What are my chances with Express Entry?What they usually mean is: How high will my CRS score be? and, Is this high enough to receive an Invitation to Apply?

While we can never accurately predict the CRS score required to receive an ITA, in the last year the minimum CRS score required to receive an ITA has dropped as low as 413 points, so this is a good target for new profiles.

The CRS score is complex. There are a number of different factors considered in calculating the score, including age, level of education, English and French language proficiency, work experience, and connections to Canada (education, work experience, siblings, etc.). As well, certain provinces or territories may nominate select Express Entry candidates for immigration to their province. This is called a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and scores an Express Entry candidate an additional 600 points for their profile!

 

Examples: CRS Score in Action!

To better explain the CRS score and what someone’s chances might be in Express Entry, we thought it might be useful to look at a few hypothetical situations. Below are three examples of Express Entry candidates. We will walk you through their projected CRS score and present their best options for Canadian immigration.

Please note: the following examples use applicants who are applying without a spouse or common-law partner. Including your partner on your profile does have some minor effects on your CRS score.

Example: Sandeep Rau

Sandeep Rau was born and raised in India. After completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Sandeep has spent 8 years working as a broadcast journalist producing stories for radio and television. Now Sandeep wants to put his skills to use in Canada! Is he a good candidate for Express Entry?

Age: 30
Work Experience: 8 years, Journalist
IELTS Results: Speaking-6.5, Reading-6, Listening-7, Writing-6.5
Highest Level of Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Canadian Experience: No

Projected CRS Score: 343 points

Based on his profile, Sandeep’s CRS score is a little below the minimum threshold which has received ITAs in the last year. However, he does have some options! If he wants to improve his CRS score he could retake the IELTS English exam and try to improve his grades.

If Sandeep wants to come to Canada as quickly as possible, a great option is pursuing a Canadian study program. As a journalist, as well, Canada offers a range of excellent communications and journalism programs. Canada even offers a comprehensive Study-2-Immigrate program, which not only helps foreign nationals to find a suitable program in Canada, but even helps to prepare and submit the study permit application!

After completing studies in Canada, Sandeep will be in a much stronger position to become a permanent resident!

Jenny’s CRS score is quite a bit lower than what’s been required for an ITA in the past 12-months. However, she still has some great options! As a nurse, her occupation is considered In-Demand in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. In fact, with her qualifications, Jenny is actually eligible for a program called Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry. This is a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) operated by the province of Nova Scotia. If Jenny can successfully secure a nomination from the province of Nova Scotia, then she’ll receive a 600 point boost to her CRS score virtually guaranteeing an ITA!

Our firm has successfully secured provincial nominations with clients who have very similar profiles to Jenny, so this is an excellent option for foreign nationals in similar situations!

Example: Vera Nguyen

Vera’s family moved around a lot growing up. She was born in Vietnam, but has lived in Cambodia, Singapore, and completed most of her schooling in Australia. Due to the moving around, she had a bit of a late start in her career, but she’s managed to complete a Master’s Degree in Communications and has just finished her third year of full-time work as an administrative officer. Is Vera a good candidate for Express Entry?

Age: 34
Level of Education: Master’s Degree
Work Experience: 3 years, Administrative Officer
IELTS Results: Speaking-7.5, Reading-7, Listening-8, Writing-7
Canadian Connection: No

Projected CRS Score: 445 points

Vera is an excellent candidate for Express Entry with a highly competitive CRS score. One of the reasons for this, is because Vera has very strong English-language proficiency combined with a high level of education. For this, Vera receives 100 CRS points under the category of Skill Transferability Factors, and this is what gives her the extra push above the other two examples. Vera shouldn’t have much trouble becoming a Canadian permanent resident!

What does this mean for me?

These examples might have shown you just how complex Express Entry can be and just how many options there are for Canadian immigration. These programs and pathways can be quite confusing to try to figure out on your own. If you are interested in immigrating to Canada, we recommend consulting with an expert!

All you have to do is complete one of our free online assessments and one of our Canada Immigrations experts will contact you to discuss which pathway is best for you!