The Express Entry Program is the most popular pathway to obtain the Canada Permanent Resident Visa. It is not a visa in itself. Rather, it is an application management system that manages applications for the economic immigration programs of Canada. These are:
- FSWP (Federal Skilled Worker Program)
- FSTP (Federal Skilled Trades Program)
- CEC (Canadian Experience Class)
The program was first introduced in January 2015. To apply, you must first and foremost be eligible for one of the programs above.
The Express Entry Program scores eligible candidates through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Eligible candidate profiles are then placed in the Express Entry Pool where they are ranked on their scores. Highest-ranking candidates are invited through regular invitation rounds held by the IRCC.
Most of the skilled professionals who apply from India qualify under the FSWP. To apply under the FSTP and CEC need you to have trade qualification from Canada and Canadian work experience respectively. For someone who has never been to Canada fulfilling the Canadian education or work experience criteria is tough.
Eligibility requirements of the FSWP under the Express Entry Program
To qualify for a Canada PR Visa under the FSWP you must:
- Score at least 67 points on the FSWP points grid
- Have at least one year of work experience in an occupation in the NOC 0, A or B category
- Should have a score of at least CLB 7 (6 on each module) in IELTS or an equivalent in other eligible English language tests
- You must have at least a post-secondary degree, diploma or certificate. Your educational qualifications must receive a positive ECA (Educational Credential Assessment)
- You should have enough funds to support yourself and your accompanying family members in Canada
Step-by-step process to apply under the Express Entry Program
You need to follow the below steps to apply for a Canada PR Visa through the Express Entry Program:
- Confirm your eligibility for the program
- Create an online profile. Your profile will enter the Express Entry Pool where it will be ranked against other eligible candidates.
- Create a Job Bank account. The Express Entry Job Bank is a job site operated by ESDC (Employment and Social Development Canada). This website connects Canadian employers with suitable Express Entry candidates.
- Wait for an ITA (Invitation to Apply). Your profile is valid for 1 year. It will be considered in every invitation round conducted during this one year.
- Receive an ITA. IRCC conducts regular draws to issue ITAs to eligible candidates with the highest scores.
- Submit a completed Canada PR Visa application. You get 60 days from the day you receive an ITA to submit a Canada PR Visa application.
- Wait for a visa decision from the IRCC. The IRCC will review your PR application and also verify your documents and claims.
- On clearing the verification process, receive your Canada PR Visa
Processing time
According to IRCC reports, 80% of all Canada PR applications are processed within 6 months of receipt. The whole process can take anywhere between 6 to 10 months.
Costs involved
Here are the costs involved in a Canada PR Visa application through the Express Entry Program:
- ECA: CAD 227 to CAD 322 (per person)
- IELTS: INR 14,000 (per person)
- Application processing fees: CAD 825 (per person)
- RPRF (Right to Permanent Residence Fee): CAD 500 (per person)
- Dependent children: CAD 225 (per child)
- Medicals: CAD 70 approximately (per person)
- Police Clearance Certificate: CAD 10 approximately (per person)
Proof of funds
You will need to show funds according to the size of the family. Those who have a valid job offer from Canada are exempt from this requirement. CEC candidates also do not need to show proof of funds.
The table below will let you know how much funds you need:
| Number of Family Members | Required Funds (Canadian Dollars) |
| 1 (Single applicant) | $12,960 |
| 2 | $16,135 |
| 3 | $19,836 |
| 4 | $24,083 |
| 5 | $27,315 |
| 6 | $30,806 |
| 7 | $34,299 |
| For each additional family member, add | $3,492 |
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