EXPRESS ENTRY
In January 2015, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) have launched a new electronic system called Express Entry to manage applications for permanent residence in certain economic programs.
The new program will involve many improvements to Canadian immigration, including quicker processing times, greater accessibility to applicants from a wider variety of different fields, and a greater focus on the quality of applications.
Express Entry candidates who receive a qualifying job offer from a Canadian employer or nomination under the Provincial Nominee Program will be invited to apply for permanent residence soon after – a key distinction between the Express Entry system and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, which is only used to fill temporary labor and skill. Job offers will be subject to Employment and Social Development Canada’s Labor Market Impact Assessment in place at that time.
Express Entry will assess and select skilled immigrants under the following federal economic immigration programs:
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program,
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program, and
- The Canadian Experience Class.
Provinces and territories will also be able to recruit candidates from the Express Entry system for a portion of the Provincial Nominee Programs to meet local labor market needs. Under this new system, employers will also have a key role in selecting economic immigrants. Employers will access candidates through Canada’s new and improved Job Bank and through provinces and territories where applicable.
- The Express Entry system involves two steps:
Step 1) Potential candidates complete an online Express Entry profile
Step 2) Citizenship and Immigration Canada will invite certain candidates to apply for permanent residence and process their electronic applications within six months.
After an individual has received an Invitation to Apply (ITA), Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has committed to processing these applications in six months or less.