Express Entry Program

Are you a skilled worker dreaming of gaining permanent residence in Canada? For fifty-four years now, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) has enabled many to immigrate to Canada. These people are chosen based on their resourcefulness to the Canadian workforce and economy.

An EE Program is an online application platform for immigrants. You submit your profile as a Federal Skilled Worker for a chance to be called to apply for permanent residence. The higher your rankings, the higher your chances are of being invited to apply.

It was only until 2015 that the EE Program for federal skilled workers was introduced.

In this article, we break down how to immigrate to Canada as a Federal Skilled worker under the Express Entry Program.

How to Immigrate to Canada as a Federal Skilled Worker under the Express Entry Program

Follow the following steps to gain permanent residence in Canada as a Federal Skilled worker:

Step 1: Eligibility Check

You get to answer a set of questions to determine your eligibility for the Express Entry Program. When you pass, you see a category with three different programs under Express Entry.

Apart from the FSWP, other programs under the EE include the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Since each program has different requirements, take time to go through them. You may need about 15 minutes to fill in the form.

Common questions and prompts comprise of the following:

• Your country of origin
• How old you are
• Your education backgrounds
• Your work experiences
• Language(s) proficiency
• Your family members
• Adaptableness
• Job offer particulars, if any

One eligibility check is proof of at least a year of unceasing full-time, paid work experience over the former ten years. The work experience should fall under skill levels 0, A, or B.

Once submitted, workers at IRCC review your answers. They tell you which program best suits you and which one you qualify.

Step 2: Create an Online Profile

Once you are deemed eligible for the Express Entry Program, create an online profile and fill it in. The IRCC will give you a rating known as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. The minimum CRS score that a Federal Skilled worker can have when looking to immigrate to Canada is 67 points.

Your CRS score is usually affected by several factors. Some of the common ones include age, work experience, and language proficiency.
As you wait in the pool of candidates, doing the following will better your CRS score:

• Gain appropriate work experience by getting a job where you are.
• Get a legal job offer. You can do this by using the services of a job bank. Also, a private Canadian job board can help by marketing you to potential employers in Canada. All in all, this should enable you to get more job offers in Canada.
• Work on boosting your language score. Whether it is French or English, try getting that score higher.
• Advance in your education. You can do this by taking relevant short courses. It will tie to the bigger picture and give you a higher score.

Remember to update your online EE profile. For instance, you have to update life shifts such as marriage, divorce, and new work experiences on your IRCC profile.

Step 3: Track the Express Entry Draws

As you wait in this pool, be on the lookout for draws. Usually, during draws, contenders with the lowest scores on the CRS cut-off get the Invitation to Apply (ITA). The Canadian government announces them every fortnight.
Even though it has been a year since the last draw of FSW, it matters that you stay alert.

Step 4: Have your Documents Ready

As you await the invitation to apply, have a checklist for all the documents you will need during your application. Such include bank slips showing proof of finances, medical examination results, language test results, ECA, and job offers. Sort these in advance to grant you a smooth application process.

Step 5: Get Invited then Apply to Immigrate

If you get invited in to apply for permanent residence in Canada, you have sixty days to do so. Follow the following steps to apply for permanent residence in Canada as a Federal Skilled worker:

• Sign into your Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) account. You should see your invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
• Apply for immigration to Canada under EE by clicking the link. Fill in the form and ensure that you have attached all the necessary documents.
• Proofread all your responses to ensure that they are whole and factual.
• Go through all the mandatory fields and ensure that you have filled in. You will fail to turn in the application if it is incomplete.
• If you still have time, you can save the form and revise it as you wish before the deadline.

Step 6: Pay the Immigration Fees and Submit the Application

You will have to part with $1325 as immigration application fees, an additional $1325 if you include a partner and $225 for a reliant child.
Submit your application on the IRCC website and wait. Usually, the processing time lasts about half a year. However, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, the processing time keeps changing.

Step 7: Have your Application Approved

Once the IRCC approves your application to become a permanent resident in Canada, they send you an email with the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). If you come from a country that needs a visa, the IRCC sends you a permanent resident (PR) visa.

Go through the COPR to ascertain that the information is error-free.

Step 8: Prepare for an Interview and your life in Canada

You receive an invitation to interview if you are in Canada. This is done to ascertain that all the documents are truthful. In addition, this is a chance for you to get your new Canadian mailing address.

If you are out of Canada, this is the time for you to prepare for the change. Familiarize yourself with how life in Canada is and the changes awaiting you.

Step 9: Immigrate to Canada and Enjoy

Travel to Canada and use ArriveCAN for the provision of mandatory travel information. Also, ensure that an officer from the Canada Border Services Agency goes through your COPR. He also proves that you are the same person approved for immigration to Canada.

Once in Canada, enjoy working and living a fulfilling life.

Conclusion

Federal skilled workers can get permanent residence in Canada. As you wait in the Express Entry pool, make sure you keep improving yourself for higher CRS scores. Ultimately, you get the golden opportunity of immigrating to Canada.
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