Express Entry

The Express Entry system is similar in manner, to Australia and New Zealand have implemented their programs. This particular system is structured in a way that deals with the prospective candidates, who show their interest in Canadian immigration. Moreover, they have submitted an “expression of interest” regarding further processing of their immigration to Canada.

Express Entry is an innovative online system that makes it easier for skilled workers looking for work in Canada to apply for immigration. This method makes things easier and helps you keep track of your progress as you move toward permanent residence.

You can’t term this system as an individual immigration program. In reality, it is a supporting system to aid Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) in performing their procedure in an organized manner. The department of CIC can easily select eligible candidates, striving for their immigration to Canada.

Express Entry Immigration Programs

Express Entry provides a universal platform for Federal and Provincial governments. Moreover, it facilitates employers’ choice of prospective candidates from the Express Entry pool. This Pool consists of candidates who are eligible for any one of the “Federal Economic Immigration Programs” mentioned below.

• The Federal Skilled Trades Program
• The Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Canadian Experience Class

The candidates may receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for immigration to Canada, once they are selected. However, such candidates must hurry to complete their application form and submit it along with the required documents. The period for applying is 60 days and it takes six months (from the date of receiving the application to complete the process.

Express Entry 2025 Changes

Canada is updating its Express Entry system in 2025. Here’s what you need to know in plain language:

1. More Immigrants Through Express Entry

• Bigger Targets: The number of immigrants admitted under economic programs is rising from 110,770 in 2024 to 124,590 in 2025.
• More Focus on Express Entry: With fewer admissions through provincial programs, more skilled workers will be chosen via Express Entry.

2. No More Extra Points for Job Offers

• Job Offer Change: Starting in spring 2025, valid job offers will no longer give you extra CRS points.
• What It Means: Candidates will need to focus on other factors like language skills and work experience to improve their scores.

3. New Categories for Immigration

• Two New Groups: The old Federal High-Skilled category is now split into:
  • In-Canada Focus: For candidates already living in Canada.
  • Federal Economic Priorities: For candidates with skills in high-demand areas like healthcare, trades, and French language proficiency.

4. Focus on Key Sectors

• Priority Areas: In 2025, Express Entry draws will target important sectors such as:
  • Healthcare occupations
  • Trades occupations
  • French language proficiency
• Why It Matters: This change aims to better match Canada’s labor market needs.

These simple updates will shape the way skilled workers are selected to immigrate to Canada through this system in 2025.

How the Express Entry Process Works?

1. Preparing Yourself

The most important step to applying for Canadian immigration in this online portal of Canada is to know the eligibility criteria. The prospective candidates must verify, whether they fall under this criteria or not. The candidates who stand eligible for Canadian immigration can find their place in the Express Entry pool.

After this, the candidate may create his/her Express Entry profile. Each candidate receives a specific rank against other members of the pool, per the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Candidates can improve their ranking by increasing Canadian immigration points. This enhances the prospects for getting an invitation to apply ITA, for their immigration to Canada.

Those candidates, who are not eligible for a particular Federal Economic Immigration Program, can try their luck by improving their profile factors, including language proficiency, education credentials, and work experience.

2. Creating an Express Entry Profile

The candidate must create an Express Entry profile for Canadian immigration through one of the Federal Economic Immigration Programs. Therefore, the first step in this regard is to create such a profile.

1. Just stick to the instructions and create an account. The system provides you with a number, which is necessary to sign in.
2. Enter the personal reference code when required by the system. In case you don’t possess one, move to the next step.
3. Fill in your personal data, education credentials, work experience, and other similar information.
4. After completing the whole procedure, press the submit button.

3. What Next?

If all the requirements of Express Entry criteria are fulfilled, the immigration department may consider you as a part of the Express Entry pool. After completion of this step, eligible candidates receive ITAs through an Express Entry draw. The basic factor, which helps you to gain an ITA is the Canadian immigration points.

Express Entry System and Provincial Nominee Programs

Provinces and territories may also select eligible candidates out of the Express Entry system. Such candidates are selected through the Provincial Nominee Programs. This procedure allows such provinces to meet the local labor market needs. The rules for managing the Express Entry system are the outcome of Ministerial Instructions.

Note: “Entry into the Express Entry pool does not guarantee a candidate will be issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Invited candidates still have to meet eligibility and admissibility requirements under Canada’s immigration law.” (Immigration and Refugee Protection Act).

Comprehensive Ranking System

The highest-ranking candidates in the pool are invited to apply for permanent residence. Candidates will receive their ranks by using a point-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System. Points are awarded using the information in their profile. Candidates with the highest scores in the pool will receive an Invitation to Apply.

The candidates will receive Canadian immigration points, depending on the following factors:

• A valid Job offer from an employer
• Grant of nomination through provinces or territories
• Necessary experience and skill factors

The candidate may receive extra points in the following circumstances:

• If the candidate receives a job offer endorsed by theLabour Market Impact Assessment
• In case the provincial or territorial authorities nominate the candidate

These extra Canadian immigration points will increase the candidate’s ranking. This enhances the chances of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) through an Express Entry draw.

After receiving the invitation, the candidate must submit his/her application for Canadian immigration within the next 60 days. The rules regarding Canadian immigration for Pakistanis are also the same.

What Will be My Application Fee?

Canada Express Entry Processing Time

The time it takes to process applications depends on which program you choose. Processing times may be different for each type of immigration.

Click here to check the processing time for your application.

Required Settlement Funds for Express Entry

The required funds for immigration depend on the size of your family, which includes you, your spouse or common-law partner, and your dependent children. This applies even if your spouse, partner, or children are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and even if they aren’t moving to Canada with you.

Here are the latest required amounts in Canadian dollars:

• 1 person: $14,690
• 2 people: $18,288
• 3 people: $22,483
• 4 people: $27,297
• 5 people: $30,690
• 6 people: $34,917
• 7 people: $38,875
• Each additional person: $3,958

These funds ensure you can support yourself and your family when you move to Canada.

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