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The Canada Express Entry program makes it simple to immigrate to Canada. The Express Entry platform of Canada, launched in 2015, processes applications for multiple programs. The approach enables Canada to choose the top candidates from around the world.
This page discusses the Canada Express Entry requirements, method, costs, and how we may assist you.
Canada Express Entry System is based on a point-based system called a Comprehensive Ranking System. In this point-based system, points are allotted to candidates based on their skills, education, work experience, and provincial nomination.
Canada Express Entry System
The Canada Express Entry System is a point-based Canadian regulatory system that was introduced by IRCC in 2015. Through this system, the Canadian government can sort the applications of skilled workers who want to immigrate to Canada for Permanent Residency.
Candidates who have the highest points get a chance to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for ECI in Canada.
There are a total of three Canadian immigration programs under Canada’s Express Entry –
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
In 2023, the Canadian government also introduced a new way to immigrate to Canada which is Canada Category-Based Selection.
What are the characteristics of the Express Entry Program?
With the Express Entry program, Canada’s immigration process has become more streamlined and transparent. Below are some of the basic characteristics of the fastest Canadian immigration program:
- It is an online program allowing you to apply for a Canada ECI Visa from Pakistan or anywhere in the world.
- Move to Canada in 6 to 8 months.
- Uses a point system to rank profiles in the pool – Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
- A job offer is a significant benefit, but it is not mandatory.
- Can also apply for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) through the Canada Express Entry Pool.
- Secure Canadian Employment through Job Bank.
Eligibility Criteria for Canada Express Entry
Canada Express Entry eligibility criteria are:
- Nominated in any of the visa programs
- A score of at least 67 points or more to qualify under the FSW Program
- A language proficiency test
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) positive report
- Good medical health
- Fulfil Funds requirement
- Good character
Specific qualifying criteria vary depending on the program chosen. To create your Express Entry profile, you must score 67 points.
Only after receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) from IRCC, Candidate can submit your ECI application. The higher your CRS score in the Express Entry pool, the more likely you are to receive an ITA.
Specific jobs in healthcare, STEM, trade, agriculture, and agri-food will be focused in 2024 with the implementation of category-based selection.
How to apply for the Express Entry program?
Application for a Canada ECI Visa through the Express Entry program is a two-step process:
Step 1: Create your Online profile in the Express Entry program
- Skilled immigrants who have work experience across 347 occupations (including Engineering, Health Occupations, Information Technology and sciences, Skilled Trades, etc.) and meet the minimum eligibility criteria, may submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile in the pool.
- You must score at least 67 points out of 100 in the FSWP points assessment grid to be able to apply under the Canadian Express Entry program.
- Once the profile is created and submitted in the express entry pool, they are ranked using the CRS.
- Candidates with a provincial nomination or without a job offer can submit their employment profile to Canada Job Bank to look for a job in Canada.
Step 2: Receive your ITA to apply for a Canada ECI Visa
- Higher ranked profiles in the express entry pool are issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through regularly held express entry Canada draws. After getting an ITA, you have 60 days to submit your complete application for Canada ECI Visa to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Immigrants with a degree with skilled work experience and moderate proficiency in either English or French an ideal candidates for the Express entry program.
Candidates who are eligible under the following program can apply for Canada ECI Visa through the Express Entry program:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Steps to apply for a Canada ECI Visa through the Express Entry program
Step 1: Get ECA
You must get your education credentials assessed by an authorized Canadian assessing body to prove equivalency to Canadian education.
Step 2: Complete your IELTS examination
Must attain the minimum 6 points per band in each module of Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening in the IELTS examination
Step 3: Create an Express Entry profile
After you have met the minimum requirements for the ECI Visa, you can create an online profile in the express entry program. This profile will include all the basic details like age, work experience, language skills, etc.
Step 4: Get an ITA
If you can clear the latest CRS Score cut-off, you shall get an ITA that will enable you to submit your application for Canada ECI Visa to the IRCC within 60 days.
Step 5: Medical and PCC
Along with your application for a Canada ECI Visa, you have to submit a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) and must undergo a medical examination which is a mandatory requirement.
Step 6: Application reviewed by IRCC
After successfully submitting your application, IRCC will assess your application for a Canada ECI Visa. Reviewing your ECI visa application can take around 4 to 8 months.
Step 7: Get your ECI
You will get your Confirmation of Permanent Residency (ECI) after the successful assessment of your application.
What’s better – An Express entry program or a PNP?
It depends on your individual profile for example if you have arranged employment or a blood relative in Canada then PNP is a better option for you and if you can score CRS above 450 points then Expres Entry is a better option for you.
- Most PNPs require candidates to have a valid express entry profile. In case you have a connection to any province in Canada like work experience or study experience, then it is advisable to apply for a PNP in that particular province.
- If you do not have any connection with any place in Canada, then applying for a Canada ECI Visa through the Express Entry program is the best way for you.
- To check which program is better for you – Canadian immigration Express Entry or PNP, fill out our online application.
How much does an Express entry program cost?
- Language Test (IELTS): rs 15,500
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): CAD 227 – $322
- Biometrics: $85/ person
- Government Fees: $1,325/ adult & $225/ child
- Medical Examination Fees: $250/ adult & $250/ child (approximately)
- PCC: $100/ country (approximately)
There is no government initial fee to create your online express entry profile. You have to submit fees when you are invited to apply for a Canada ECI Visa.
Processing Time for Canada Express Entry Visa
Once the application is received it takes around 6 months to process. Applicants need to submit all the necessary documents before processing.
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for Express Entry Canada
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a point-based system that distributes points to candidates after considering numerous parameters, which are outlined below.
There are a total of 1200 points given. You must keep in mind-
- Core or Human Capital factor + Spouse or common-law partner factors = Maximum 500 points
- Core or Human Capital factor + Spouse or common-law partner factors + Transferability factors = Maximum 600 points
- Core or Human Capital factor + Spouse or common-law partner factors + Transferability factors + Additional factors = Maximum 1200 point
Human Capital/Core Factors
| Factors | Points with Common-Law Partner or Spouse | Points without Common-Law Partner or Spouse |
| Level of Education | 140 | 150 |
| Canadian Work Experience | 70 | 80 |
| Age | 100 | 150 |
| Official Language Proficiency | 150 | 160 |
Levels of Education
| Educational Levels | Points with Common-Law Partner or Spouse | Points without Common-Law Partner or Spouse |
| Below High-School | 0 | 0 |
| Secondary School | 28 (+2 given to spouse) | 30 |
| One-Year Post-Secondary Course | 84 (+6 given to spouse) | 90 |
| Two years of post-secondary course | 91 (+7 given to spouse) | 98 |
| Three or More Years of Post-Secondary Course | 112 (+8 given to spouse) | 120 |
| Two or More Post-Secondary Courses (at least one is finished after three or more years of post-secondary courses) | 119 (+9 given to spouse) | 128 |
| Master’s Program | 126 (+10 given to spouse) | 135 |
| Ph.D. Program | 140 (+10 given to spouse) | 150 |
Canadian Work Experience
| Time | Points with Common-Law Partner or Spouse | Points without Common-Law Partner or Spouse |
| Below One Year | 0 | 0 |
| One Year | 35 (+5 given to spouse) | 40 |
| Two Years | 46 (+7 given to spouse) | 53 |
| Three Years | 56 (+8 given to spouse) | 64 |
| Four Years | 63 (+9 given to spouse) | 72 |
| Five or more years | 70 (+10 given to spouse) | 80 |
Age Factor
| Age (Years) | Points with Common-Law Partner or Spouse | Points without Common-Law Partner or Spouse |
| Below 18 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | 90 | 99 |
| 19 | 95 | 105 |
| 20-29 | 100 | 110 |
| 30 | 95 | 105 |
| 31 | 90 | 99 |
| 32 | 85 | 94 |
| 33 | 80 | 88 |
| 34 | 75 | 83 |
| 35 | 70 | 77 |
| 36 | 65 | 72 |
| 37 | 60 | 66 |
| 38 | 55 | 61 |
| 39 | 50 | 55 |
| 40 | 45 | 50 |
| 41 | 35 | 39 |
| 42 | 25 | 28 |
| 43 | 15 | 17 |
| 44 | 5 | 6 |
| 45 or Above | 0 | 0 |
Official Language Proficiency
Canada has two official languages: English and French. They are both in English and French. The Canadian Language Benchmark Levels (CLBs) can be used to gain points.
A score is provided to the language based on many factors. The categories are as follows:
- Listening
- Writing
- Reading
- Speaking
First Language (French or English)
Without a partner, you can earn up to 34 points in each area. Candidates with a spouse can receive up to 37 points in each area.
| Canadian Language Benchmark Levels (CLB) | Points with Common-Law Partner or Spouse | Points without Common-Law Partner or Spouse |
| 3 or less | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | 6 (+0 given to spouse) | 6 |
| 5 | 6 (+1 given to spouse) | 6 |
| 6 | 8 (+1 given to spouse) | 9 |
| 7 | 16 (+3 given to spouse) | 17 |
| 8 | 22 (+3 given to spouse) | 23 |
| 9 | 29 (+5 given to spouse) | 31 |
| 10 or More | 32 (+5 given to spouse) | 34 |
Second Language (French or English)
Without a spouse, you may earn a total of 24 points. Candidates who have a spouse can receive a total of 22 points for each category.
The maximum score for each category is 6.
| Canadian Language Benchmark Levels (CLB) | Points with Common-Law Partner or Spouse | Points without Common-Law Partner or Spouse |
| 4 or less | 0 | 0 |
| 5 or 6 | 1 | 1 |
| 7 or 8 | 3 | 3 |
| 9 or More | 6 | 6 |
Common-Law Partner or Spouse Factors
| Factors | Points |
| Educational Level | 10 |
| Canadian Work Experience | 10 |
| Official Language Proficiency | 20 |
Skill Transferability Factors
| Factors | Points | Total Points Per Factor | |
| Non-Canadian Work Experience | CLB 7 or more and Non-Canadian work experience | 50 | 50 (maximum) |
| Non-Canadian work experience and Canadian work experience | 50 | ||
| Educational Level | Vital language skills and post-secondary degree | 50 | 50 (maximum) |
| Canadian work experience and post-secondary degree | 50 | ||
| Certificate of Qualification | Vital language skills and Certificate of qualification | 50 | 50 (maximum) |
Additional Factors
| Factors | Points |
| Sibling in Canada | 15 |
| CLB 7 or More (for French) and CLB 4 or Less (for English) | 15 |
| Finished One Year or Two Educational Courses in Canada | 15 |
| CLB 7 or More (for French) and CLB 5 or More (for English) | 30 |
| Finished Master’s Degree or Doctorate or Entry to Practice Professional Degree in Canada | 30 |
| Job Offer from NOC A, 0 or B | 50 |
| Job Offer from NOC Group 00 (Senior Management Position) | 200 |
| Provincial Nomination (by Provincial Nominee Program) | 600 |
Documents Required for the Express Entry Canada ECI Visa
Documents requirement for the Express Entry Canada ECI Visa has two stages of the process:
- Profile Submission
- Application Submission
For profile submission you’d need:
- Passport
- ECA Report
- Results of the language test
- Employment offer (if received)
- Provincial nomination (if accepted)
For application submission, you need:
- Proof of funds
- Police clearance certificate
- Medical examination report
Required Proof of funds for the Express Entry process
Required proof of funds as per family members.
| Number of family members | Funds required in Canadian dollars (CAD) | Approximate in Pakistan Rupees (rs) ( **Approx. 1 CAD – rs 60.7) |
| 1 | CAD 13,757 | rs 8,45,733 |
| 2 | CAD 17,127 | rs 10,52,910 |
| 3 | CAD 21,055 | rs 12,94,390 |
| 4 | CAD 25,564 | rs 15,71,588 |
| 5 | CAD 28,994 | rs 17,82,453 |
| 6 | CAD 32,700 | rs 20,10,285 |
| 7 | CAD 36,407 | rs 22,38,179 |
| For each additional family member | CAD 3,706 | rs 2,27,832 |
Get detailed information about the Required proof of funds for a Canada ECI Vis
The following are some possible reasons:
- You have a valid job offer.
- You have been asked to apply for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Accepted proof of funds
- Money in a joint account (if your spouse is accompanying you)
- Cash
- Bonds
- Treasury bills
- Debentures
- Money orders
- Banker’s drafts
- Traveler’s cheque
- Official letters from any financial institution.
These letters must have:
- The letterhead of the specific financial institution
- Your name
- Their contact details
- The list of any outstanding debts like loans
- All account numbers (if more than one)
- The date of the opening of each account
- The present balance in the accounts
- The average balance calculated for the last six months
Not counted as proof of funds
- Valuation of real properties
- Borrowed money