Are you planning to work, live, and study in Canada? Obtaining a Canada PR Visa from India can unlock these opportunities. But have you ever wondered which pathway can lead you to the PR Visa in Canada? The answer is the Express Entry Program. 

Through this visa program, each economic-class immigration applicant planning to migrate to Canada can apply for a permanent residency visa in Canada. 

This article provides you with comprehensive guidance about the Express Entry program, including its unique requirements, application process, costs involved, processing time, and many other aspects you will discover. But, before moving ahead, let us understand the commencement of this visa program. 

What is the Express Entry Program? 

The Canada Express Entry Program is a unique kind of Canada Immigration application management system, mainly designed to manage applications for economic category applicants. It was launched in January 2015 by the Canadian federal government to manage the Canada PR Visa application for all economic immigration programs. 

The Express Entry Program manages applications under three economic immigration programs, including: 

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) 
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 
• Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP)

This application management uses a point-based method to assess the eligibility of economic immigrants. 

Significant Features of the Express Entry System 

The Express Entry System is considered one of the efficient and effective immigration systems, based on a point-based structure. It provides an efficient immigration pathway to skilled professionals to secure permanent residency in Canada. 

This point-based structure assesses the application of candidates based on their Canada PR score, which offers points to candidates based on age, professional qualification, language proficiency, educational qualification, skills, and other related factors. 

Under this system, candidates with a higher CRS score have higher chances of getting an ITA (Invitation to apply), through which they can initiate the further application process. 

One of the significant features of the Express Entry System is listed below: 

1. It is an online Canada Immigration program that allows candidates to lodge their Canada PR visa application from India or anywhere in the world.
2. Through the Express Entry system, you can move to Canada within 6 to 8 months. 
3. Unlike other immigration programs, Express Entry does not restrict some occupations from applying for a PR Visa in Canada.  
4. Candidates can also submit their Provincial Nominee Program application through the Express Entry system, and receive 600 points if they receive a provincial nomination. 

Key Requirements of the Canada Express Entry Program

The specific requirements under the Express Entry system may vary based on the program selected. However, the general requirements for this  immigration program include:

• Nominated for any of the visa programs 
• The candidate must score a minimum of 67 points to qualify for the FSWP program.
• Applicants are required to take the language proficiency test. 
• The candidate should be in good health 
• A candidate should not have any kind of criminal record. 
• The candidate should have sufficient proof of funds. 

It is essential to understand that candidate can submit their Canada PR Visa application only when they get an invitation to apply(ITA), and they can receive an ITA only when they have a higher CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score in the Express Entry pool. 

How does the Express Entry Program system work? 

Below, we have listed some of the significant steps involved in the Express Entry system for a Canada PR Visa. 

1. Complete your Express Entry Profile 

The process of getting a Canada PR visa includes the filing of an online Express Entry form, including essential credentials related to education, professional qualification, and related personal documents. 

2. Express Entry Pool 

If your application is selected, your profile will enter the Express Entry pool, in which candidates have been given a job seeker validation code and an Express Entry profile number, through which they can develop their resume. 

3. ITA (Invitation to Apply) 

After getting the Canada CRS score, which aligns with the Express Entry draw, the candidate will be accepted by the Citizenship and immigration Canada, and they will get an ITA (Invitation to Apply). 

How to apply for a Canada PR Visa through the Express Entry Program? 

To successfully secure a Canada PR Visa through the Express Entry program, candidates are required to follow the following step-by-step process. 

Step 01: Get your ECA 

Candidates are required to get their educational credentials evaluated by a recognised educational credential assessment body. It is done to ensure that the candidate’s education credentials align with the Canadian level of education.

Step 02: IELTS Examination 

Obtain at least 6 points per band in each of the modules of Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening in the IELTS test.

Step 03: Build an Express Entry Profile

Once you qualify for the PR Visa, register an online profile on the Express Entry system, providing all the required information like age, experience at work, and language proficiency.

Step 04: Receive an ITA

If your CRS score is over the available cut-off, you’ll get an Invitation to Apply (ITA), enabling you to apply for Canada PR within 60 days.

Step 05: Submit Medical and PCC

With your PR application, you need to provide a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) and go through a medical checkup, both of which are compulsory for the process.

Step 06: IRCC Examines Your Application

Once you have submitted your application, IRCC will assess your eligibility for a Canada PR Visa. The review process usually takes between 4 to 8 months.

Step 07: Get CoPR

Once your application is successfully checked, you will be issued your Confirmation of Permanent Residency (CoPR), finally finishing off your PR process.

What is the Canada Skilled Occupation List? 

In response to the Canada CRS Score, the Canada Skilled Occupation list also significantly affects your Canadian PR application. The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) determines this list based on the up-to-date demand in the job market.

The jobs are categorised under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) framework, which classifies occupations based on the work performed and responsibilities held by employees.

Before, candidates were asked to have work experience in jobs categorised under NOC skill types 0, A, or B, using the 2016 NOC system. However, the 2021 NOC system adopts additional categories based on Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER), which results in significant modifications. These new TEER categories are further broken down as follows:

TEER 0

• Management Occupations belong to this category.

TEER 1

• Must have a university degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, or Doctorate), or
• Significant experience in an occupation from the TEER 2 classification (where applicable).

TEER 2

• Must have two to three years of post-secondary education from a community college, a technology institution, or equivalent.
• Completion of a two-to-five-year apprenticeship program.
• Occupations that involve supervisory or considerable safety responsibilities.
• Significant years of experience in a TEER 3 occupation.

TEER 3

• Completion of less than two years of post-secondary training or apprenticeship.
• more than six months of relevant job experience.
• a couple years of TEER 4 work experience.

TEER 4

• Completion of secondary school
• A few weeks of secondary school education plus on-the-job training.
• Significant experience in a TEER 5 job (if applicable).

TEER 5

• Short work demonstrations with no formal educational qualifications.
• The 2021 NOC system establishes these six new TEER categories as an extension of the original four skill levels under the 2016 NOC system, making a more detailed categorisation based on the unique training, education, and experience requirements of different occupations.

These adjustments will better capture the needs of the labour market and assist in better matching skilled workers to Canadian job opportunities. 

Which documents are required for a Canada PR Visa through the Express Entry System? 

The document requirements for the Canada PR Visa through the Express Entry system include a two-stage process. 

1. Profile Submission 
2. Admission Submission

For Profile Submission, the candidate requires the following documents: 

• Valid Passport
• Educational Credential Assessment Report
• Language Proficiency Test Result 
• Offer of Employment (If received) 
• Provincial Nomination (If approved) 

During Admission Submission, the candidate is required to submit the following documents: 

• Evidence of sufficient funds
• Police clearance certificate
• Valid medical examination certificate 

Updated proof of funds requirement for Express Entry profiles 

Candidates applying for the Express Entry program are required to show sufficient proof of funds, which is done to ensure the candidate’s financial sufficiency and to ensure that they can cover all their expenses without having financial issues. 

Every year, the Canadian immigration authority, IRCC (Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada), changes the proof of funds requirements based on the 50% low-income cut-off total. Below, we have provided details about the updated financial requirements for Express Entry candidates: