Express Entry System Details
The Express Entry system, Canada’s new new electronic system to manage applications for permanent residence, is scheduled to start January 1st, 2015. The new Express Entry application process is completely electronic, i.e., online.
Applicants can appoint a representative
Applicants will be able to retain the services of a registered immigration consultant (ICCRC) or a lawyer to represent them thru out the Express Entry application process.
Three Economic Class programs to be initially included
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program
- The Canadian Experience Class
The Express Entry system will be a two-step process
Step 1 – Applicants will need to indicate their Expression of Interest (EOI) by completing their online Express Entry profile. Those applicants who meet the criteria of one of the three Economic Class programs managed thru the Express Entry system will be added to the pool of potential candidates that may be chosen for the next step.
All eligible applicants enter the same pool; there are no pools for different occupations
Step 2 – The highest ranking candidates in the pool (Step 1) will be Invited To Apply (ITA) for Permanent Residence in Canada.
Express Entry Profile Number
Given to an Express Entry candidate who successfully enters the pool, a profile number is used to add a profile to the Job Bank so potential employers can confirm the candidate is in the Express Entry pool. It is used by provinces and territories through the P/T Portal to confirm a candidate is actually in the Express Entry pool and by CIC for internal reasons.
Personal Reference Code
It looks like this: JM1234567890. This is used to transfer the information you provided in the Come to Canada tool into your MyCIC account. If you access Express Entry directly through your MyCIC account, a Personal Reference code will not be assigned.
Note: The Personal Reference Code is not the same as the Express Entry Profile number
The Express Entry process aims to issue a final decision on the PR application within 6 months.
The six months begins once Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) confirms that a person has submitted a complete electronic application for permanent residence through the online system. It ends when a final decision is made.
Applicants must register with Canada’s Job Bank
Anyone who does not already have a job offer supported by a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) (if needed), or a nomination from a province or territory (i.e. a Provincial Nominee Plan candidate) must register with Employment and Social Development Canada’s (ESDC) Job Bank.
Job Seeker Validation Code
Express Entry candidates receive this four-digit code when they submit their Express Entry profile in their MyCIC account. This code is automatically generated by the system. Candidates need their Job Seeker validation code to register for ESDC’s Job Bank. The validation code is also required by provinces and territories who wish to nominate a candidate through the P/T portal.
Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in an official language at the start of the process
Proficiency in at least one of Canada’s official languages (English and French) as determined by the results of the IELTS or CELPIP exam for English, or the TEF exam for French. All applicants will be required to submit the results of the language tests taken at the time they first register with the Express Entry system; Step 1.
Applicants must have completed their Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
Applicants seeking to enter the Express Entry pool under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) must obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for each of their completed foreign educational credentials time they first register with the Express Entry system; Step 1.
There is no longer an occupation list
The current occupation list of 50 Eligible Occupations will no longer apply. Other than restricted occupations, any candidate with at least one year of full time, or equivalent part time work experience, within the past ten years are eligible to apply.
The work experience must be in a skilled occupation as classified by the National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes.
The pool will include all eligible applicants who would have previously applied under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, The Federal Skilled Trades Program and The Canadian Experience Class.
A new Comprehensive Ranking System to replace the old points system
The new Comprehensive Ranking System is the Government of Canada’s way to get the most qualified applicants from the pool, and it will no longer be “first come first served” as in the current system.
Starting January, 2015, the ranking system will evaluate candidates based on their “Human Capital” (Age, Education, Language, Work Experience, and whether they have a job offer from a Province or a Canadian Employer).
Candidates can continually improve their scores whilst in the pool by retaking the language test, continuing their education, etc. thus making them more likely to be chosen.
Points given by the new Comprehensive Ranking System
Points awarded by the new Comprehensive Ranking System are of significance only once the applicant has been deemed eligible to enter the pool and she/he is in competition with other applicants for and Invitation to Apply (ITA) and proceed to Step 2 of the Express Entry process. This highlights the importance of preparing well before attempting to start the Express Entry process.
The new Comprehensive Ranking System grants a maximum of 1200 to an applicant. These points are broken down into three groups:
1. Core or Human Capital. – Up to 500 points. This group is the most similar to the “Old” 6 selection factor, and grants the candidate, or the candidate and her/his spouse (or common-law partner), points for age, level of education, English and/or French language ability, and work experience.
2. Skills Transferability. – Up to 100 points
3. Arranged employment from a Canadian employer or a nomination certificate from a Canadian province. – 600 points will be awarded.
Details of the ranking system can be found on here, http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/express-entry/grid-crs.asp
Selected candidates have sixty (60) days to submit a complete application package
Once the Invitation to Apply (ITA) is issued, the candidate will have sixty (60) days to submit a full, complete application.
If the selected candidate fails to submit the complete application within sixty (60) days from when the request was made, the selected candidate will be removed from the pool. This means that if the candidate wants to be considered again under the Express Entry program then she/he will need to start the complete Express Entry process again.
Declined Invitations to Apply (ITA)
If a selected candidate declines an ITA offer then she/he will re-enter the pool for another 12 months.
The maximum life expectancy in the pool is one (1) year
If no Invitation to Apply (ITA) is given after one year from the time of registration (Step 1), the application will expire. Applicants have the option to start the Express Entry process again. You will have 60 days to resubmit your existing Express Entry profile through MyCIC.
Severe penalty for misrepresentation
The penalty for misrepresentation has been increased from two years to a five year period of inadmissibility. In addition, guilty applicants will be banned for five years from applying for permanent resident in Canada.
Applicants who are found to have given false information during any stage of the Express Entry process (Step 1 and/or Step 2) will be subject to these new penalties.
No clear criteria for an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
The points for which a Candidate is deemed eligible to get an ITA has not been announced and may change from time to time. Government needs and employer interest to recruit for certain occupations will determine who is eligible to be selected. The selection is then supposed to be based on ranking alone.
Provinces and Territories will also be able to select candidates from the pool to nominate as a Provincial Nominee candidate.
Advantage of applying to a Provincial Nominee Program in addition to the Express Entry
Once a person updates their Express Entry profile to show they have a provincial or territorial nomination certificate, they will be given enough additional points to be invited to apply at the next eligible draw of candidates.
P/T Portal
A secure, web-based portal through which provinces and territories (PT) will be able to access Express Entry candidates. This is where PTs will go to confirm the Express Entry profile number provided by the candidate; to identify candidates of interest for their respective PNP; and, to track their activity in the pool and the actions of candidates to whom they have issued a nomination certificate.
Notification of Interest
Provinces and territories interested in a particular candidate will indicate their interest through the P/T portal. When this occurs, the candidate receives a system-generated message in their MyCIC account that advises them that a province or territory would like to consider them for nomination. This message is a “notification of interest”.
Letter of Interest
The notification that CIC will send to candidates in the pool when a province or territory has expressed interest in their profile.
Quebec and Nunavut have opted out of the Express Entry program
The Quebec Skilled Workers system will have its own criteria and candidates not be selected through the Express Entry Pool.
The Territory of Nunavut will also not be participating.
No Humanitarian and Compassionate requests to overcome requirements of Ministerial Instructions
Requests made on the basis of Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds from outside Canada that accompany any permanent resident application affected by Ministerial Instructions but not identified for processing under the Instructions will not be processed.
Canada’s Job Bank
The Job Bank ( www.jobbank.gc.ca) will be ready for applicants to load their resumes on January 1st, 2015, however the ability for Canadian Employers to job match will not be ready January 1st, 2015.
Time dependent requirements are locked at the time of application (Step 2)
It is important to note that the age of dependent children will be locked in at the time of application for Permanent Residence (Step 2) and not at the time of entry to the pool (Step 1).
Please Contact Us for more information.
