Step 1: Check Eligibility
You must determine your eligibility for any of the programs under the Express Entry System before applying. You can check the requirements for the three programs below.
- Federal skilled Workers Program (FSW)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
Step 2: Education Assessment (ECA)
Candidates must get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) document to show that their education is equivalent to that in Canada. You can get this with the aid of some authorized organizations, such as WES.
Step 3: Language Proficiency Test (IELTS or Equivalent)
To prove their proficiency in either one or both English or French (Canada’s official languages), the candidates must pass a language test. They get Express Entry points on the basis of test results which are valid for 2 years.
Step 4: Express Entry Profile Creation
After completing language testing and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) the candidates must create an Express Entry profile for one of the three federal economic immigration programs.
Step 5: Receive ITA
The candidates are then placed in the Express Entry pool where they are ranked by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on the basis of their CRS Score. After that, they wait to receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply) in the Latest Express Entry Draw.
Step 6: Medical Exam and Police Verification (PCC)
Those who get invitations must send IRCC their fully completed Application for Permanent Residence (APR) and application fees by the due date. This stage requires you to attach copies of your police clearance and medical examination. After that, IRCC will give you an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR).
Step 7: Processing Stage
In this stage, IRCC processes your application and if the visa officer finds that they need some additional documents, they inform the candidates. It usually takes 6-8 months for a typical Canada Express Entry application to process.
Step 8: Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR)
IRCC makes the final decision on your Express Entry application and you receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
Step 9: Fly to Canada
After that, candidates can move to Canada as a permanent resident.