How to Become a Permanent Resident in Canada under the Express Entry System

Canada has been ranked as one of the best countries in the world with its secure economy, good job market, political stability, public education and health care system. Needless to say, Canada has become one of the top targets for immigrants looking to start a new life elsewhere.

While there are numerous options accessible to those wanting to become permanent residents in Canada, the Express Entry System is one of the most well-liked routes for aspiring immigrants particularly the highly skilled ones. Express Entry is an online system that manages applications for permanent residence from skilled workers.

How does it work?

The Express Entry manages three federal programs namely – Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Trades Program. Applicants who meet the eligibilities listed under any of these programs may create an Express Entry profile online.

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program

This program aims to invite skilled workers with foreign work experience. The minimum requirements for this program are skilled work experience, language ability and education. Applicants must work in one of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) job groups which may fall under the categories of managerial jobs (NOC 0), professional jobs (NOC A) or technical jobs (NOC B). The skilled work experience must be done within the last 10 years, must be a paid work and must be at least 1 year of continuous work. Prospective immigrants must take the approved language tests in English of French and must get the minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in writing, reading listening and speaking. For applicants with foreign education, they must have their credentials assessed for immigration purposes by a designated organization to prove that that their education is equivalent to a completed Canadian degree.

2. Canadian Experience Class

This stream is for applicants who have gained skilled work within Canada and want to become permanent residents. Candidates for this program must meet the required language level, must have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada in the last three years prior to application and must have gained work experience by working in Canada while under temporary resident status with authorization to work. Moreover, to be eligible, work must be in one of the NOC 0 A B job groups.

3. Federal Skilled Trades Program

This program caters to skilled workers wanting to become permanent residents using their skilled trade qualifications. To qualify for this program, applicants must have at least two years of full time work experience in a skilled trade within five years prior to application, must meet the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the NOC, must have a valid job offer of full time employment for a total period of at least one year or a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by Canadian authorities.

Express Entry is a points-based system which takes into consideration all the information placed by the candidates on their online profile. To be chosen from the pool and be invited to apply, candidates must have one of the highest ranking scores at the time of invitation. Applicants invited from the pool may then be allowed to apply for permanent residence.

Canada plans to welcome up to 390,000 new immigrants onboard per year up to 2022. As the country is taking bolder steps to increase their immigration targets, attention from prospective immigrants around the world is currently skyrocketing and the Express Entry pool is now swamped with competitive, highly educated and highly skilled candidates. Let AJ Law LLP and our Filipino Lawyer in Toronto help you become Permanent Residents in Canada through the Express Entry System. We have a Filipino immigration lawyer ready to assess your qualifications and assist you throughout the whole process. Call us at (+1) 416 409-5991.