Express Entry

Express Entry is an electronic application management system for skilled workers who are selected based on their ability to become economically established in Canada. In other words it is the electronic system that is used by a foreign national to submit an expression of interest.

This system is governed by ministerial instructions and is authorized by s.10.3(1) of the IRPA. These instructions consists of - programs included in Express Entry and associated eligibility criteria. The electronic profile submission process and any associated exemptions, ranking of candidates, invitations, candidate information that can be shared with third parties including other government departments etc.

Applicants are required to create an Express Entry profile, which is then entered into the Express Entry “pool” of candidates with all other individuals that have created and submitted an Express Entry profile. Based on the information you provide in your profile, you may be assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on CRS tool. (https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/crs-tool.asp). IRCC decides on who gets invitation to apply by using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Skilled work is determined based on the National Occupational Classification(NOC).

Your CRS score is assessed against others in the pool with respect to your skills, education, language ability, and work experience, age, AEO, Relatives in Canada, Canadian work experience, etc. Available total score is 1,200.

In order to qualify under express entry the applicant must first qualify under one of three economic class programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker
• Federal Skilled Trade
• Canadian Experience Class

Important to remember

Meaning of offer of employment for express Entry

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/offer-employment.html

In most of the cases offer of employment must be supported by positive LMIA & if you are working, you must be working for an employer listed on your work permit otherwise you will not get 50 or 200 points.

Also many times applicants will face problems in creating a profile and will get message ineligible profile- you need to ensure that you meet minimum criteria of the program you are applying under.

When an Express Entry candidate submits an electronic application for permanent residence (e-APR) to IRCC, the individual is no longer a candidate but an applicant.

Under section A11.2, an officer may not issue a visa to an applicant who did not or does not meet the Express Entry minimum entry criteria (MEC) or did not or does not possess the qualifications for which they received their CRS score at the time when

• the invitation to apply (ITA) was issued
• the e-APR was received by IRCC

When reviewing an application, processing offices must determine if

• The applicant possesses the qualifications that they declared in their e-APR, as corroborated by the applicant’s supporting documentation
• When the applicant submits their e-APR, the information provided in their Express Entry profile has not materially changed to the degree that the applicant would not have been issued an ITA in that round of invitations

Accordingly, officers should refuse an application under section A11.2 if it is determined that

• At the time of the ITA or e-APR, the applicant did not or does not meet the MEC, which includes the requirements of the program to which they were invited to apply
• The applicant’s recalculated CRS score has fallen below that of the lowest-ranked candidate invited to apply in that round of invitations.

Note: At time of APR, PNP Express Entry applicants must demonstrate they meet the PNP program requirements and, for A11.2 assessment, that they meet the program requirements of one federal immigration program (FSWP or CEC or FSTP).