Canada has one of the world’s most advanced Express Entry immigration systems. Launched in January 2015, Canadian authorities are designing it to better align immigrant skills with labour market needs.
The Express Entry plan has many inputs that contribute to the possibility of immigrating to Canada or not. Perhaps the most significant component would be the score for the Comprehensive Ranking System. This score determines which candidates receive an invitation to apply in the Express Entry pool, and an opportunity to obtain permanent residence in Canada.
Express Entry is the fastest and most accessible pathway to permanent residence in Canada. However, since pool candidates have to compete against each other to be invited to apply and always try to do whatever you can to increase your Express Entry points.
How to Get Started with Express Entry for Immigrating to Canada?
Express Entry is a program that organizes and processes applications for individuals wishing to immigrate to Canada and obtain permanent residency in Canada. Express Entry is an application management system for three critical economic immigration programs in Canada:
- Federal Skilled Worker
- Federal Skilled Trades
- Canadian Experience Class
If you are eligible to apply to any of these programmes, you can submit to the Express Entry system an Expression of Interest (EOI), often referred to as a profile. You will be automatically assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score once your profile is submitted.
Importance of CRS in the Express Entry Program
CRS stands for the comprehensive system of ranking. The ranking of individual applicants is a criterion set by Canada’s Express Entry system. The classification then establishes which participants are sufficiently qualified to receive an ITA for permanent residency. The good thing is these draws are performed regularly (usually twice a month). It gives you ample opportunity to improve the score for CRS.
The candidates obtain marks out of 1200 points in total. The maximum scores required for an ITA currently vary near a range of 440-470 points. It used to be about 450 points for drawing the CRS. They did spike up to 470 in the last draw. You need to take proactive steps to get your score better.
How to Improve the CRS Score?
Improve Scores in Language Tests- Will help you immigrate faster under Express Entry
A focus on language scores is one of the easiest ways to raise your CRS score. Prepare for language tests like IELTS and scoring in a Canadian Language Benchmark of 9 in the test. Also, try to get up to 136 straight points under the language test section and up to 100 points under the Skill Transferability sub-factors section. Also, you can earn 24 points by taking the French Language Test.
Apply via a Provincial Nominee Program- Very Helpful to get Invitation to apply under express entry system
If you are nominated under the Canadian PNP by one of the provinces or territories, you will receive up to 600 CRS points.
Secure Job Offer Approved by LMIA- sure shot way to immigrate to Canada
Another way to raise the CRS score and get up to 600 points is to secure a job offer from an employer in Canada, recognized by the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). That will make an Express Entry pool candidate more eligible to receive an ITA.
Make Your Spouse the Principal Applicant- should the need be to get higher ranking under CRS
Try to apply with your spouse or common-law partner for Canada immigration, and he/she can score more CRS points, it is recommended that you make them the primary candidate. If you have already started your application, however, the principal applicant can not be changed to an existing Express Entry profile. So, create a new profile with your partner as the primary applicant and dependent on yourself.
Continue Working
Continue working if you have less than three years of experience, which will help to increase points. You’ll receive points under the section Skill Transferability,
Advantage of Express Entry Program
- CRS follows a straightforward procedure which ensures an accurate immigration process for both employees and employers.
- The completion of the total cycle can take six months.
- Selected applicants are invited directly to Permanent Residence.
- Immigrants in any part of Canada will live and work.
Application Processing
The IRCC takes six months or less of an average time to review immigration applications. It’s the most challenging time to wait for your process to get done. Generally speaking, the application process takes 12 months in the pool of candidates, the maximum score, can enable you to be selected and have ITA issued to you.