EXPRESS ENTRY 2015

In January 2015, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will launch a new electronic system called Express Entry to manage applications for permanent residence in certain economic programs. Canada needs high levels of immigration to meet current and future labour market needs, which will ensure our economic growth and long-term prosperity.

Express Entry will allow us to actively recruit, 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 labour 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: Complete an online Express Entry profile

Candidates for Canadian permanent residence will make an expression of interest in immigrating to Canada by creating an online profile. They will provide information about their skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other personal information. Candidates who meet the criteria of one of the aforementioned federal economic immigration programs will be placed in a pool of candidates. If a candidate does not already have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or a provincial nomination, he or she must register with Canada's Job Bank, which will connect him or her with Canadian employers.

It is important that the information provided is accurate, as providing false information could disqualify an applicant from re-entering the pool for a number of years.

Step 2: Invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence

The Government of Canada and Provincial Governments, as well as employers, will be able to select new immigrants from the Express Entry pool. The highest-ranked candidates (i.e. candidates considered to have the best chances for economic success in Canada), and those with valid job offers or provincial nominations, will be invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

If a candidate is selected, he or she will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada. He or she will then have 60 days to submit an electronic application for permanent residence.

CIC aims to process applications within six months of the date of submission. Candidates must ensure that they complete all necessary forms and submit all supporting documents within this timeframe. On completion of the process, successful candidates and their dependents (spouse and children) will land in Canada as permanent residents.

Candidates in the Express Entry pool who do not receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada after 12 months may resubmit their profile and re-enter the pool if they still meet the criteria of at least one of the economic immigration programs.

Submit your FREE Online  ASSESSMENT to find out what your options for  Canadian immigration. Your assessment results will be sent to you via email in less than 24 hours.