amir Ismail & associates

Express Entry

Express Entry is an electronic file management system to manage applications for permanent residence under certain economic immigration programs. 

Spousal Sponsorship

Effective January 2015, Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has implemented a new electronic system called Express Entry to manage applications for permanent residence under certain economic immigration programs. Express Entry is not an immigration program in itself, but rather a modern online system to select candidates for immigration to Canada using the economic immigration programs including Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program and Canadian Experience Class Program.

Potential candidates are required to complete their online profiles as a first step to immigrate to Canada under the Express Entry Program. Unlike the policy in past, there are no deadlines to submit the application/express entry profile or quotas applied to the number of applicants that could be accepted to the Express Entry Pool.

Our Authorized Canadian Immigration Representative Mr. Amir Ismail and his team of seasoned immigration professionals can assist you in achieving your Canadian immigration goals through Express Entry whether you are applying for the program for the first time, have already submitted an Express Entry Profile or have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). We use the expertise of our certified professionals instead of automatic Express Entry Points Calculator to determine your immigration and express entry eligibility accurately and help you in creating an optimized Express Entry Profile for considerations in Express Entry Draws in 2021 and beyond. We will also ensure that you understand what documents do you require for Express Entry Canada and these are as per the requirement of the IRCC.

How does Express Entry Work in Canada?

1: Determine your eligibility

The first step when considering to enter Express Entry Pool, one should determine the eligibility. You can email complete our free assessment form to allow us to undertake an initial review. If you are found eligible, we may request further information and request you to proceed to a detailed analysis by Mr. Amir Ismail personally. At that time we will request you to complete our online assessment form for a formal assessment and detailed written opinion.

Want us to evaluate your profile? Please complete our online free assessment form to allow our Toronto team undertake a detailed analysis and advise you the probability of success here

If you are eligible, you can proceed to submit the express entry profile. If you are found eligible, you may endeavour to become eligible by improving your skills, work experience, language ability, and education credentials and those of your spouse if your married or in a common law partnership.

2: Make an online Express Entry profile

The next step in the process is to make an expression of interest in immigrating to Canada by creating an online profile on the CIC profile. Being Authorized Immigration Representatives we can do this on your behalf using the Authorized Representative Portal provided to us by the CIC on their website. In the profile you provide information about your skills, work experience, language skills, education, adaptability and personal identification .

It is very important that the information provided in the profile is absolutely accurate, as misrepresenting or providing false or misleading information can ban an applicant for at least 5 years from applying. 

3: Improve your ranking in the Express Entry Pool.

Once in the pool, candidates are ranked against each other using a formula called the “Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)” and those scoring high in a particular draw are offered an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence. Rounds of invitations or draws to invite candidates to apply take place on regular bases over the course of each year.

The Comprehensive Ranking System ranks candidates under the following components:

  • core human capital factors;
  • accompanying spouse or common-law partner factors, if applicable;
  • skill transferability factors; and
  • factors relating to a provincial nomination or a qualifying offer of arranged employment.

The total points available under the Comprehensive Ranking System are 1,200.

It would be prudent for candidates to continue to strive to improve their CRS ranking to enhance their chances of being selected and receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

4: Invitation to Apply (ITA) and submitting application for Canadian permanent residence

The Federal Government, Provinces and employers have access to the Express Entry pool allowing them to  select new immigrants from it. Those ranking highest based on the skill, adaptability and ability to economically succeed in Canada will then be invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence. If an applicant is considered, he or she is issued an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada. Applicants invited to apply are given only 60 days to submit a complete Application for Permanent Residence online with all supporting material and documentation failing which may lead to the refusal. IRCC has indicated that it will process applications within six months of the date of submission. On completion of the paper screening, background and security and medical checks the principal applicant and his or her dependents (spouse and children) will land in Canada as permanent residents.

If an applicant in the Express Entry pool does not receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada within 12 months, their profile become obsolete. They may resubmit their profile and re-enter the pool if they still meet the criteria of at least one of the economic immigration programs.

It is not mandatory to have a job offer to be able to enter the pool. However, one must meet the minimum requirements as set out for the Federal Skilled Worker Program in order to qualify. These include, reaching to the current pass mark of 67, scoring at least 6 bands in EACH component of an IELTS test (General training), having the Educational Credentials Assessed to be able to claim points under the Education factor and to have minimum settlement funds according to the size of the family. Other requirements include passing the background and security and medical checks.

Next Steps

What documents are required for Express Entry

  • In order to be able to submit your Express Entry profile, you need to prepare and appear in a an approved language exam such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or French language testing, including the Test d’evaluation du francais (TEF), the Test de connaissance du francais (TCF), and the Diplôme d’etudes en langue francaise
  • Get your foreign credentials assessed according to Canadian standards from one of the Designated Credential Assessment bodies.
  • Ensure that you or any of your dependents are not medically or criminally inadmissible.
  • Ensure that you have minimum settlement funds according to the size of the family
  • Ensure that you meet the selection criteria of one of the economic immigration programs.

Express Entry Canada Requirements:

Who is eligible for Canada Express Entry?

Skilled work experience

You must have at least one year of continuous full-time or an equal amount in part-time, paid work experience within the last 10 years.

Language ability

You must meet the minimum language level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7, and take a language test approved by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) that shows you meet the level for speaking, listening, reading and writing. The language test result must not be older than 2 years at the time of application. Generally, applicants less than 7 bands IELTS General track do not stand good chances.

Education

You must have either have a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree, or received an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from an agency approved by CIC to show your foreign education is equal to Canadian education standards. Usually, applicants having less than 15 years of bachelors degree or equivalent qualification do not stand good chances of selection.

Six selection factors

If you meet the minimum requirements, your application is then evaluated based on the following six selection factors:

  • your skills in English and/or French (Canada’s two official languages),
  • your education,
  • your work experience,
  • your age,
  • whether you have a valid job offer, and
  • your adaptability

Skilled Worker Selection Grid

How many points do you need to qualify for express entry pool: You need 67 points to enter the Express Entry Pool.

The points for selection factors are summarized as follows:

  • Education: Applicants are awarded up to 25 points.
  • Language Skills: Applicants are awarded up to 28 total points (24-first official language, 4-second official language).
  • Work Experience: Applicants are awarded up to 15 points for paid skilled work experience acquired in the last 10 years. A minimum of 9 points is required.
  • Age: Applicants are awarded up to 12 points.
  • Arranged Employment: Applicants are awarded up to 10 points.
  • Adaptability: Applicants are awarded up to 10 points.

Settlement Funds Required

How much Express Entry Costs? OR How much money do you need to immigrate to Canada?

The amount of money you need to support your family is set by the size of your family. These amount are updated every year.

Number of
Family Members
Funds Required
(in Canadian dollars)
1$13,213
2$16,449
3$20,222
4$24,553
5$27,847
6$31,407
7 or more$34,967

For each additional member: $3,560 – The foregoing figures are up to date as of 05 July 2021. For up to date figures, please check the official IRCC website https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/proof-funds.html

The Comprehensive Ranking System is new system that ranks eligible candidates for immigration to Canada through Express Entry under the following components:
  • core human capital factors;
  • accompanying spouse or common-law partner factors;
  • skill transferability factors; and
  • factors relating to a provincial nomination or a qualifying offer of arranged employment.

How many maximum points are there in Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) in 2021 and beyond

There are a total of 1,200 points available under the Comprehensive Ranking System.

For candidates who are either single or applying without an accompanying spouse or common-law partner, there are:

  • a maximum of 500 points available for core human capital factors;
  • a maximum of 100 points available for skill transferability factors; and
  • 600 points available for a provincial nomination.
  • 50 points available for a qualifying offer of arranged employment, 200 for a managerial position.

For candidates applying with a spouse or common law partner, there are:

  • a maximum of 460 points available for core human capital factors of the principal applicant;
  • a maximum of 40 points for the core human capital factors of the spouse or common-law partner;
  • a maximum of 100 points available for skill transferability factors; and
  • 600 points available for a provincial nomination
  • 50 points available for a qualifying offer of arranged employment, 200 for a managerial position.

Detailed Criteria

Summary of maximum points per factor for Express Entry candidates

A. Core / human capital factors

FactorsPoints per factor – With a spouse or common-law partnerPoints per factor – Without a spouse or common-law partner
Age100110
Level of education140150
Official languages proficiency150160
Canadian work experience7080

B. Spouse or common-law partner factors

FactorsPoints per factor
(Maximum 40points)
Level of education10
Official language proficiency20
Canadian Work Experience10

A. Core/human capital + B. Spouse or common-law partner factors = Maximum 500points (with OR without a spouse or common-law partner)

C. Skill Transferability factors(Maximum 100points)

EducationPoints per factor
(Maximum 50points)
With good/strong official languages proficiency and a post-secondary degree50
With Canadian work experience and a post-secondary degree50
Foreign work experiencePoints per factor
(Maximum 50points)
With good/strong official languages proficiency(Canadian Language Benchmark [CLB] level 7 or higher) and foreign work experience50
With Canadian work experience and foreign work experience50
Certificate of qualification (for people in trade occupations)Points per factor
(Maximum 50points)
With good/strong official languages proficiency and a certificate of qualification50

A. Core/human capital + B. Spouse or common-law partner + C. Transferability factors = Maximum 600points

D. Additional points(Maximum 600 points)

FactorMaximum points per factor
Brother or sister living in Canada (citizen or permanent resident)15
French language skills30
Post-secondary education in Canada30
Arranged employment200
PN nomination600

A .Core/human capital + B. Spouse or common-law partner factors + C. Transferability factors + D. Additional points = Grand total Maximum 1,200points

Points breakdown, section by section

CRS A. Core / human capital factors

  • With a spouse or common-law partner: Maximum 460points total for all factors.
  • Without a spouse or common-law partner: Maximum 500points total for all factors.
AgeWith a spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 100points)
Without a spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 110points)
17 years of age or less00
18 years of age9099
19 years of age95105
20 to 29 years of age100110
30 years of age95105
31 years of age9099
32 years of age8594
33 years of age8088
34 years of age7583
35 years of age7077
36 years of age6572
37 years of age6066
38 years of age5561
39 years of age5055
40 years of age4550
41 years of age3539
42 years of age2528
43 years of age1517
44 years of age56
45 years of age or more00
Level of EducationWith a spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 140points)
Without a spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 150points)
Less than secondary school (high school)00
Secondary diploma (high school graduation)2830
One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute8490
Two-year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute9198
Bachelor’s degree OR a three or more year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute112120
Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees. One must be for a program of three or more years119128
Master’s degree, OR professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession (For professional degree, the degree program must have been in: medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine, or pharmacy.)126135
Doctoral level university degree (Ph.D.)140150

Official languages proficiency – first official language

Maximum points for each ability (reading, writing, speaking and listening):

  • 32 with a spouse or common-law partner
  • 34 without a spouse or common-law partner
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per abilityWith a spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 128points)
Without a spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 136points)
Less than CLB400
CLB4 or 566
CLB689
CLB71617
CLB82223
CLB92931
CLB10 or more3234

Official languages proficiency – second official language

Maximum points for each ability (reading, writing, speaking and listening):

  • 6 with a spouse or common-law partner (up to a combined maximum of 22points)
  • 6 without a spouse or common-law partner (up to a combined maximum of 24points)
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per abilityWith a spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 22points)
Without a spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 24points)
CLB4 or less00
CLB5 or 611
CLB7 or 833
CLB9 or more66
Canadian work experienceWith a spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 70points)
Without a spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 80points)
None or less than a year00
1 year3540
2 years4653
3 years5664
4 years6372
5 years or more7080

Subtotal: A. Core / human capital factors

  • With a spouse or common-law partner Maximum 460points
  • Without a spouse or common-law partner Maximum 500points

CRS B. Spouse or common-law partner factors (if applicable)

Spouses or common-law partners level of educationWith spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 10points)
Without spouse or common-law partner
(Does not apply)
Less than secondary school (high school)0n/a
Secondary school (high school graduation)2n/a
One-year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute6n/a
Two-year program at a university, college, trade or technical in school, or other institute7n/a
Bachelor’s degree OR a three or more year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute8n/a
Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees. One must be for a program of three or more years9n/a
Master’s degree, or professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession (For professional degree, the degree program must have been in: medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine, or pharmacy.)10n/a
Doctoral level university degree (PhD)10n/a

Note: (n/a) means that this factor does not apply in this case.

Spouse’s or common-law partner’s official languages proficiency – first official language

Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per ability (reading, writing, speaking and listening )Maximum 20points for section
Maximum 5points per ability
Without spouse or common-law partner
(Does not apply)
CLB4 or less0n/a
CLB5 or 61n/a
CLB7 or 83n/a
CLB9 or more5n/a

Note: (n/a) means that this factor does not apply in this case.

Spouse’s Canadian work experienceMaximum 10pointsWithout spouse or common-law partner
(Does not apply)
None or less than a year0n/a
1 year5n/a
2 years7n/a
3 years8n/a
4 years9n/a
5 years or more10n/a

Note: (n/a) means that this factor does not apply in this case.

Subtotal : A. Core / human capital + B. Spouse or common-law partner factors = Maximum 500points

CRS C. Skill transferability factors(Maximum 100points for this section)

Education

With good official language proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark Level [CLB]7 or higher) and a post-secondary degreePoints for CLB7 or more on all first official language abilities, with one or more under CLB9
(Maximum 25points)
Points for CLB9 or more on all four first official language abilities
(Maximum 50points)
Secondary school (high school) credential or less00
Post-secondary program credential of one year or longer1325
Two or more post-secondary program credentials AND at least one of these credentials was issued on completion of a post-secondary program of three years or longer2550
With Canadian work experience and a post-secondary degreePoints for education +1year of Canadian work experience
(Maximum 25points)
Points for education +2years or more of Canadian work experience
(Maximum 50points)
Secondary school (high school) credential or less00
Post-secondary program credential of one year or longer1325
Two or more post-secondary program credentials AND at least one of these credentials was issued on completion of a post-secondary program of three years or longer2550

Foreign work experience With good official language proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark Level [CLB]7 or higher)

Years of experiencePoints for foreign work experience + CLB7 or more on all first official language abilities, one or more under9
(Maximum 25points)
Points for foreign work experience + CLB9 or more on all four first official language abilities
(Maximum 50points)
No foreign work experience00
1 or 2 years of foreign work experience1325
3 years or more of foreign work experience2550

Foreign work experience With Canadian work experience

Years of experiencePoints for foreign work experience +1year of Canadian work experience
(Maximum 25points)
Points for foreign work experience +2years or more of Canadian work experience
(Maximum 50points)
No foreign work experience00
1 or 2 years of foreign work experience1325
3 years or more of foreign work experience2550
Certificate of qualification (trade occupations) With good official language proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark Level [CLB]5 or higher)Points for certificate of qualification + CLB5 or more on all first official language abilities, one or more under7
(Maximum 25points)
Points for certificate of qualification + CLB7 or more on all four first official language abilities
(Maximum 50points)
With a certificate of qualification2550

Subtotal: A. Core / human capital + B .Spouse or common-law partner + C. Skill transferability factors – Maximum 600points

CRS D. Additional points(Maximum 600points)

Additional pointsMaximum 600points
Brother or sister living in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada15
Scored NCLC 7 or higher on all four French language skills and scored CLB 4 or lower in English (or didnt take an English test)15
Scored NCLC 7 or higher on all four French language skills and scored CLB 5 or higher on all four English skills30
Post-secondary education in Canada – credential of one or two years15
Post-secondary education in Canada – credential three years or longer30
Arranged employment – NOC 00200
Arranged employment any other NOC 0, A or B50
Provincial or territorial nomination600

Subtotal: D. Additional points Maximum 600points

Grand total: A. Core / human capital + B. Spouse or common-law partner + C. Skill transferability factors + D. Additional points = Maximum 1,200points

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Do you need help with your visa? Are you interested in a specific immigration matter? Amir Ismail & Associates (AIA) assists hundreds of people each week who are content with our in-depth analysis of their cases and to the point consultations. This assists them in identifying the issues related to their immigration matters to allow them to put their best foot forward. Book your one-on-one consultation with Mr. Amir Ismail for a detailed discussion on your immigration matter.

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