Express Entry System

Express Entry is a system used by the Canadian government to manage applications for skilled and qualified workers or traders in Canada or overseas for the Canadian Permanent Residence programs. It may involve both the provincial and federal levels of Canadian government working with Canadian employers to select foreign skilled workers and/or traders to permanently live in Canada.

Express Entry is a relatively new system and it was introduced on January 1, 2015, aiming for faster processing time. Specifically, it manages the following three key Canadian economic immigration programs:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC);
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP); and,
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

From the Express Entry system, some Canadian provinces and territories may recruit candidates through their Provincial Nominee Programs to meet their immigration and economic needs.

Candidates who are eligible, qualify under one of the Canadian economic immigration programs and are interested in applying for Canadian Permanent Residence through the Express Entry system have to first create and submit a profile. If top-ranked (or nominated by a province or territory) and invited to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence, candidates have 60 days to complete and submit their application for Canadian Permanent Residence; otherwise, their invitation to apply expires and they will have to start over.

Based on the information provided in the Express Entry profile, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will then determine which of the three immigration programs (CEC, FSWP or FSTP) you are eligible for under Express Entry system. Some provinces or territories may nominate Candidates based on their immigration and economic needs; if so, candidates are invited to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence. Within six months 80% of applications for Canadian Permanent Residence under the Express Entry are usually processed, making the Canadian immigration system very efficient.

Our team at Boghossian Morais LLP has the skill set and the experience in guiding our clients through the Express Entry system and the Canadian economic immigration programs and processes. We work closely with our clients throughout the various stages, offering immigration counsel to achieve the most successful outcome possible.