Canada’s Express Entry system is a popular immigration program that allows skilled workers from around the world to immigrate to Canada and contribute to the country’s economy by becoming a permanent resident. The program, which was introduced on January 1, 2015, is designed to streamline applications for skilled workers with a key benefit of the program being its relatively quick process. The program is designed to process applications within six months, making it a faster and more attractive option for skilled workers than other immigration programs.

As made clear in the 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada intends to welcome just over 110,000 Express Entry applicants into the country in 2024. Further, the number of Express Entry applicants set to be welcomed into Canada is set to rise year over year as in 2025, over 117,000 applicants are expected to be welcomed into Canada.

Express Entry Information

To be eligible for the Express Entry system, applicants must first create an online profile through the Express Entry portal. This profile must include information about their skills, work experience, education, and other relevant details.

Once the profile is created, it is entered into a pool of candidates. The candidates are then ranked based on a points system called a Comprehensive Ranking System. This takes into account factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and other considerations. Given that the Express Entry system is a competitive invitation-based program, an individual’s application should include any information that could help build their points under the Comprehensive Ranking System.

Express Entry Draws in 2024

If selected for Express Entry, candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada. These invitations are called “Invitations to Apply” and are issued through regular draws from the Express Entry pool. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score used for draws can be found on the Government of Canada website.

These draws happen frequently, and there have already been 13 draws since the start of 2024. Some are targeted to specific industries and applicants through category-based selection, and some are general draws. There have been draws based on French Language Proficiency, Agriculture and agri-food occupations, Healthcare occupations, and Transport occupations. Depending on the category of the draw, invitations may be offered to 100 people, or up to 3000.

Different Express Entry Programs

There are three main programs that are part of the Express Entry system:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program;
• Federal Skilled Trades Program; and
• Canadian Experience Class.

Each of these programs has its own eligibility criteria and is designed to target different groups of skilled workers. There are also the Provincial Nominee Programs, which have some application streams that are included as part of Express Entry.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

The Federal Skilled Worker Program is designed for professionals with work experience in certain skilled occupations. To be eligible for this program, applicants must have at least one year of continuous, full-time (or equivalent) work experience in a skilled occupation within the past 10 years. They must also meet the minimum language requirements. Age, education, language, skilled work experience, existing job offers and adaptability are additional factors that are considered under this program.

Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is designed for skilled tradespeople who want to work in Canada. Those who work in the following trades can apply for Express Entry as part of this program:

• industrial;
• electrical and construction work;
• maintenance and equipment operation;
• supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources;
• agriculture and related production;
• processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors or central control operators;
• chefs and cooks; and
• butchers and bakers.

To be eligible for this program, applicants must have at least two years of work experience in a skilled trade within the past five years and must meet the minimum language requirements for the program.

Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class is designed for individuals who have already worked in Canada on a temporary basis and want to apply for permanent residence. To be eligible for this program, applicants must have at least one year of full-time (or equivalent) work experience in Canada within the past three years and must meet the minimum language requirements. There is no education requirement as part of the Canadian Experience Class, but education can improve an applicant’s score as part of the Comprehensive Ranking System.

Once an applicant receives an Invitation to Apply, they have 90 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. The application must include all required documentation, such as proof of language proficiency, education, and work experience.

If the application is approved, the applicant will be granted permanent residence in Canada. Permanent residents of Canada have the right to live, work, and study in the country indefinitely. They are also eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship after living in Canada for three out of the preceding five years.

Possible Express Entry Changes on the Horizon

In late March 2024, Canada announced that for the first time, there will be a cap on temporary residents entering Canada. While this is not directly a change to Express Entry, it could have ramifications for the Express Entry system. If Canada is seeking to limit the number of temporary residents, this could mean that there will be more Express Entry draws, as immigration to Canada is set to increase in the coming years. Moreover, if Canada is looking to pursue more domestic draws for immigration, Express Entry applicants will also benefit from this. Overall, it remains to be seen what the cap on temporary resident admissions will mean for Express Entry applicants.

Contact Garson Immigration Law for Assistance with Immigrating to Canada with Express Entry

At Garson Immigration Law, our compassionate team of immigration lawyers can help successfully guide you through the Canadian immigration process and find solutions for your unique immigration concerns and needs. We work to find effective solutions for our clients in all kinds of immigration matters, including permanent residence, inadmissibility, and US immigration. If you have questions about Express Entry or another immigration program, do not hesitate to reach out to us online or call us at 416-321-2860.

Canada’s Express Entry system is a fast and efficient way for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada. It was introduced almost ten years ago as a way to streamline the immigration process while helping Canada meet its labour market needs. Since its inception, the Express Entry system has been widely successful in helping thousands of skilled workers from around the world immigrate to Canada while contributing to Canada’s economy and starting new lives as permanent residents of Canada. This blog will outline some of the key changes that the Express Entry system has seen over recent years and the impact of these changes on potential applicants.

Express Entry Overview

Canada’s Express Entry system is an online immigration application system that manages applications for three federal immigration programs:

• the Federal Skilled Worker Program;
• the Federal Skilled Trades Program; and
• the Canadian Experience Class.

These programs are all designed for skilled workers who want to live and work in Canada permanently.

Applications in the Express Entry Stream

In order to be eligible for Express Entry, a prospective applicant must meet the basic requirements for one of the three immigration programs under Express Entry. These minimum requirements include:

• having a high enough necessary education level;
• relevant and sufficient work experience;
• and proficient language skills.

Additional program-specific requirements will also need to be satisfied depending on the program an applicant proceeds under. Depending on the program, they may have more work experience or higher education requirements than others. Applicants will also need to pass a medical exam and have a clean criminal record in order to apply.

Online Applications and the Comprehensive Ranking System Score

If an applicant thinks they meet the eligibility requirements, they can create an online profile through the Express Entry system. This profile must include information about their:

• education;
• work experience;
• language skills; and
• other relevant information.

Based on the information in the applicant’s profile, they will be given a Comprehensive Ranking System score. The Comprehensive Ranking System score is used to rank an applicant’s profile against other candidates in the Express Entry pool. The higher an applicant’s Comprehensive Ranking System score, the more likely they are to be invited to apply for immigration to Canada. The Comprehensive Ranking System score is based on a number of factors, including age, education, work experience, language skills, and other factors. An applicant can improve their Comprehensive Ranking System score by obtaining additional education or work experience, or improving their language skills.

Once an applicant has created an Express Entry profile, they will be placed in the Express Entry pool with other candidates. The Canadian government holds regular draws to invite the highest-ranked candidates from within the pool to apply for immigration. After draws occur, the minimum invitation Comprehensive Ranking System score is typically made publicly available. When someone is invited to apply, they will have 60 days to submit a complete application, including all required documents and fees. If their application is approved, they will be issued a permanent resident visa, allowing them to live and work in Canada on a permanent basis.

Recent Changes to Express Entry

In June 2022, the Canadian Government made changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that recently had ramifications on Canada’s Express Entry system. In June 2022, the changes made to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act allowed for the selection of immigrants to be made based on key attributes that support economic priorities, such as specific work experience or knowledge of French. This change meant that specific professions and potential immigrants can be targeted by the Canadian Government for Express Entry admission. This is a substantial change, as previously, candidates for Express Entry would be generally invited to apply based on their Comprehensive Ranking System score.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada explained that these legislative changes allow Canada to invite workers to Canada to specifically address Canada’s labour needs. Further, the emphasis on French language skills allows for more targeted Francophone immigration.

Based on these changes, Canada announced that category-based invitations would be focusing on candidates who are strong in French language proficiency, or have sufficient work experience in specific fields. As such, applicants in the following fields are being targeted:

• healthcare, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM);
• trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors;
• transportation;
• agriculture and agri-food.

Category Specific Draws in 2023

Thus far in 2023, there have been multiple category based selection invitations issued as part of Express Entry. On August 1, Express Entry invitations were issued for the first time as part of the category-based selection, which, in this case, was focused on applicants with experience working in various trades. On September 18, a round of invitations followed for those who have work experience in the transportation industry. Most recently, on September 27, there were invitations issued for those who have experience in the agriculture and agri-food sectors.

Notably, there has not been a category based selection for those in healthcare or STEM yet. Given the Canadian government’s emphasis on those fields in its announcement regarding the implemented changes, it is likely that there will be draws for those fields at some point in the near future.

The change in policy benefits some Express Entry applicants, for example, applicants who have experience in a specific field in which the Canadian government plans to have a category based selection draw, as this increases their chances of receiving an invitation. However, applicants who do not have experience in the aforementioned fields are now less likely to receive an Express Entry invitation, as they will not be invited in the category-specific draws at this time.

Contact Garson Immigration Law for Assistance With Immigration Applications Under the Express Entry System

The experienced immigration lawyers at Garson Immigration Law are exclusively dedicated to helping individuals navigate complex immigration matters. We successfully guide clients through the immigration process, with an eye toward the ever-changing policy regulations, including the changes to the Express Entry system. We will work to find an effective solution for your individual immigration needs and ensure your application positions you for the best possible outcome.

Our team provides legal solutions to the most challenging immigration situations for both businesses and individual clients. Our team of talented immigration lawyers regularly assist with a wide variety of immigration matters, including permanent residence, citizenship, work and study permits, and U.S. immigration. To schedule a confidential consultation with a member of our team, please call us at 416-321-2860 or contact us online.

Express Entry is one of the primary avenues in which foreign nationals can move to Canada and become permanent residents. The number of anticipated Express Entry permanent resident admissions under the 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan for 2023 is 82,880 out of 465,000, which is around 18%. According to the Immigration Levels Plan, the proportion of Express Entry admissions as a percentage of overall planned permanent resident admissions is set to increase in both 2024 and 2025. Of course, the number of planned permanent resident admissions from Express Entry can change when the next Immigration Levels Plan is released. Even if the number fluctuates, the proportion of planned permanent residents admissions to Canada from Express Entry will likely remain similar based on past trends.

Express Entry Options

Canada’s Express Entry system consists of several different programs through which foreign nationals can apply to become permanent residents. It is important for potential applicants to be aware of the options available to them, as a potential applicant could be better suited to apply for Express Entry under one program rather than another.

Applications for Express Entry are allocated points and sorted based on their Comprehensive Ranking System score in consideration of information included in the application. The points for the Comprehensive Ranking System score are calculated from six selection factors, which include:

• age;
• education;
• language;
• skilled work experience;
• existing job offers; and
• adaptability.

Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is available to applicants who work in trades such as:

• industrial, electrical, and construction work;
• maintenance and equipment operation;
• supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources;
• agriculture and related production;
• processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors or central control operators;
• chefs, cooks, butchers, and bakers.

Applicants under the Federal Skilled Trades Program must have at least two years of full-time work experience in their trade within the last five years in order to apply. Work experience can consist of full-time or part-time work, as long as the number of hours worked totals two full years of experience. Applicants also must have sufficient language skills in English or French to apply. Education can improve an applicant’s rank in the Express Entry pool even though there is no education requirement. Finally, applicants for this program require a valid offer of full time employment for a period of at least a year, or a certificate of qualification in their skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority in order to apply.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

The Federal Skilled Worker Program does not require an applicant to have any Canadian work experience in order to apply. However, there are several requirements that must be fulfilled before an applicant may commence an application, many of which are the same as those that are part of the Federal Skilled Trades Program. The work-related requirements differ slightly from the Federal Skilled Trades Program, as the work experience must be one year of continuous work in the last ten years.

Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class of Express Entry is available to foreign nationals who have prior Canadian work experience. Applicants under this program must have worked in Canada for at least one year in the previous three years before submitting their application. The year of work experience only counts toward the requirement if it was attained during the time the applicant was a legal temporary resident. The applicant must have skills that qualify them for a manager, professional role, or a skilled trade. Finally, applicants must be at the required language level in writing, reading, listening, and speaking required for their job in order to be considered. The level of necessary language skills depends on the type of job that is being applied for, as certain occupations are deemed to require a higher level of language skills than others.

The Canadian Experience Class has no minimum education level required for an applicant to apply, however, education can help make an application more competitive.

Provincial Nominee Program

The Provincial Nominee Program allows the provinces and territories of Canada to invite foreign nationals to apply to live in a specific province, rather than applying to Canada in general. The participating provinces each have their own nominee programs which come with unique requirements for applicants to meet in order to apply. The Provincial Nominee Programs allow the provinces and territories to target specific foreign nationals for immigration. If an applicant is selected under a Provincial Nominee Program, the applicant must then apply to the federal government for permanent residence status under one of the above Express Entry programs.

2022 Report on Express Entry

Each year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada releases an annual report highlighting the Express Entry system. The 2022 report was recently released and contains important insights and statistics about Express Entry. In 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued over 46,000 Invitations to Apply to Express Entry Applicants. However, the number of Invitations to apply was much lower than in 2021, when over 114,000 invitations to apply were issued. In 2022, most Invitations to Apply were issued under Provincial Nominee Programs and the Canadian Experience Class.

Canadian work experience was a factor for those who were issued an invitation to apply, as 57% of invitations to apply were issued to applicants who had one or two years of Canadian work experience. This was a larger factor than foreign work experience. Interestingly, the top occupations which were issued invitations to those seeking to apply in the tech sector, specifically as software engineers and designers. There were also a large number of food service supervisors who were issued invitations to apply.

The 2022 Express Entry Year-End Report contains valuable information illustrating how Invitations to Apply are issued and which Comprehensive Ranking System criteria correlate with the issuance of Invitations to Apply. If you are looking to come to Canada through the Express Entry system, it could be worth looking at the report to gauge your chance of being issued an Invitation to Apply and to help understand which factors are the most important.

Contact the Lawyers at Garson Immigration Law for Assistance Applying to the Express Entry System

At Garson Immigration Law, our team is exclusively dedicated to the practice of immigration law. We understand that waiting for your immigration application to be processed can be stressful. Our trusted immigration lawyers can help successfully guide you through the immigration process and find solutions for your individual immigration needs.

Our firm works to find efficient and cost-effective solutions for our clients in all kinds of immigration matters, including permanent residence, inadmissibility, and United States immigration. If you have any questions about an immigration application, do not hesitate to reach out to us online or by calling us at 416-321-2860.

When foreign nationals want to immigrate to Canada and become permanent residents, Express Entry is a common avenue used to gain permanent resident status. There was a hiccup in Express Entry admissions to Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic that started in March 2020, but now the Express Entry system is back to steadily issuing invitations to apply to applicants.

Canada’s Express Entry System

Canada’s Express Entry system is a points-based immigration system that allows the federal and provincial governments to individually select and communicate with skilled permanent residence applicants to offer them invitations to apply for residence. Since being introduced on January 1, 2015, Express Entry has allowed thousands of people to immigrate to Canada and become permanent residents.

Express Entry Programs

There are several Express Entry options available to foreign nationals who are looking to come to Canada in order to become permanent residents. Applicants may be best suited for one option more than the others, so it is important to understand the differences before an application is made. Even more importantly, some applicants may be eligible for one program but not another; therefore, undertaking necessary due diligence before applying is also important.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

The Federal Skilled Worker Program does not require an applicant to have any Canadian work experience in order to apply. However, an applicant must meet the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score. The points for the Comprehensive Ranking System score are calculated from six selection factors, which include:

• age;
• education;
• language;
• skilled work experience;
• existing job offers; and
• adaptability.

Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is available to applicants who work in select trades such as:

• industrial;
• electrical and construction work;
• maintenance and equipment operation;
• supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources;
• agriculture and related production;
• processing;
• manufacturing and utilities supervisors or central control operators;
• chefs and cooks;
• butchers; and
• bakers.

Applicants must have at least two years of full-time work experience in their field within the five years prior to their application. This work experience can consist of full-time or part-time work, so long as the total hours worked amounts to two years.

Education can improve the applicant’s ranking in the Express Entry pool, even though there is no requirement in order to apply. Applicants also must have sufficient language skills in English or French. Further, applicants for this program must hold a valid offer of full-time employment for at least one year, or a certificate of qualification in their skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority in order to apply.

Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class of Express Entry is for foreign nationals who have one year of Canadian work experience. Applicants must have worked in Canada for at least one year in the three years prior to their application. One year of work experience only counts toward the requirement if it was attained during the time the applicant was a legal temporary resident in Canada. For the Canadian Experience Class, there is no minimum education level required for an applicant to apply, however, education can help make an application more competitive.

The applicant must have skills that qualify them for manager, professional role, or a skilled trade. Further, applicants must meet the required language level in writing, reading, listening, and speaking needed for their job in order to be considered. The level of skills in language required depends on the type of job that is being applied for, as certain occupations are deemed to require a higher level of language skills than others.

Provincial Nominee Program

The Provincial Nominee Program allows the provinces and territories of Canada to invite foreign nationals to apply to live in a specific Canadian province territory. The participating provinces and territories have their own nominee programs and each set their own requirements for applicants to meet in order to apply.

The Provincial Nominee Programs allow the provinces and territories to target specific foreign nationals based on the best fit to immigrate to the province. If an applicant is selected under a Provincial Nominee Program, the applicant must subsequently apply to the federal government for permanent residence status.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program News

Ontario has its own Provincial Nominee Program called the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program has various streams for applicants to apply under.

Recently, Ontario unveiled its newest budget, which includes an increase in the allocation of funds for the Ontario Immigration Nominee Program. Ontario has committed through its budget to spend an extra $25 million over what was originally allocated on the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. This will allow more skilled newcomers to come to Ontario with support from the province. Overall, for those who want to immigrate to Ontario through Express Entry, the new budget is positive news.

Express Entry in 2023 and Beyond

Currently, Express Entry remains the leading avenue in which skilled people choose to come to Canada. There are over 200,000 applicants currently in the Express Entry pool who are waiting for invitations to apply. Canada plans to welcome 82,000 new immigrants to Canada in 2023, with that number increasing in each subsequent year according to the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025.

Canada has recently shown that it intends to meet these numbers in good faith as in March 2023, there were over 20,000 invitations to apply issued to applicants, representing one of the largest draws in the history of the Express Entry system.

Accordingly, the Comprehensive Ranking Score needed to receive an invitation went down to a low of 481 in March, allowing more applicants to qualify. For potential immigrants, the increase in invitations to apply means that more permanent residents can come to Canada through the Express entry system.

Contact Garson Immigration Law for Assistance with Immigrating to Canada Through Express Entry

The trusted immigration lawyers at Garson Immigration Law focus solely on the practice of immigration law. Our lawyers have a wealth of experience in immigration-related matters and successfully guide clients through the immigration process, including Express Entry applications. We will work to find an effective solution for your specific immigration needs and help you ensure that you submit a strong application.If you have any questions regarding your immigration application, do not hesitate to reach out to us online or call us at 416-321-2860.

As more Express Entry invitations are expected to be issued later this summer, applicants and potential applicants need to prepare in order to make their applications more competitive with the Canadian immigration officials issuing them. The proof of funds increase coming in June will impact both the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program, so current applicants under those programs may need to amend their proof of funds in order to have a competitive application. 

Proof of Funds 

On June 9, 2022, the amount of funding required for certain Express Entry candidates is set to change. 

Only select classes of candidates for Express Entry need proof of funds in order to reach the minimum requirements to be issued an invitation. Express Entry candidates applying under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, or the Federal Skilled Trades Program need proof of funds in order to meet the minimum requirements for acceptance under those programs. Other Express Entry programs, such as the Canadian Experience Class, do not require proof of funds. Further, if the applicant is already authorized to work in Canada and has a valid job offer, they do not need to show proof of funds even if applying under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

For those who are required to show proof of funds, the amount of funding that is required to be shown is dependent on the size of the family of the Applicant. In order for an applicant to calculate the size of their family, the applicant must include themselves, their spouse or partner, their dependent children (children under 22 years old and not married at the time of application), and their spouse’s dependent children. Even if your spouse or dependent children are permanent residents of Canada or Canadian citizens, or if they are not coming to Canada with you, family information must be included on the application. Everyone must be included as part of the calculation. The amount of money needed is highly variable based on how many family members an applicant has, and represents the minimum needed for an applicant to show to have their application considered.

The Government of Canada provides exact minimums for the proof of funds needed based on how many family members the applicant has. 

Each additional family member after the seventh will raise the minimum funds required by an additional $3,586 on top of the $35,224 required for seven family members. 

Acceptable Proof

In order for an applicant to show Canadian immigration officials that they have proof of settlement funds, the proof provided must conform with Canadian immigration rules. The funds must be readily available to the applicant. For example, an applicant cannot use equity on real property as proof of settlement funds. Upon arrival in Canada, an applicant must prove to an immigration officer that they can legally access the money to use in Canada.

The proof of settlement funds cannot be borrowed from another person. If an applicant is bringing their spouse with them, they can count their money together in a joint account for the purpose of showing proof of settlement funds. 

Proof can be provided in the form of official letters from banks or financial institutions where the Applicant is keeping their money. There is a strict list of requirements of what a letter from a bank or financial institution must include. The letter must be printed on the financial institution’s letterhead, include their contact information (address, telephone number and email address), include the applicant’s name, and list outstanding debts such as credit card debts and loans. Further, the letter must include, for each current bank and investment account, the account numbers, date each account was opened, current balance of each account, and the average balance for the past 6 months.

Express Entry Changes Coming Later This Year

In addition to the proof of settlement funds change, there are likely to be more Express Entry changes coming later this year. Processing of new applications has been slow during the pandemic, but Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada has indicated that they will be processing new Express Entry applications within 6 months later this year. Further, invitations for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class are set to resume in early July.

There may also be some changes coming later this year in how Express Entry candidates are chosen for invitations. Going forward, a policy change could mean that Express Entry candidates are invited based on economic needs identified by the Canadian government, which would benefit some candidates, and harm others. Currently, Express Entry invitations are not allotted based on specific work experience. Certain occupations could be given priority for Express Entry based on Canada’s economic needs, which would put applicants who are part of those occupations at a large advantage in securing an invitation. If Express Entry is changed in this way, the occupations that will be given priority will be posted. Right now, the proposed changes are in a preliminary stage, so if any change to Express Entry happens it is likely to happen in late 2022 at the earliest. 

Making an Express Entry Application? Garson Immigration Law in Toronto Is Here to Help

Garson Immigration Law is a firm exclusively dedicated to the practice of immigration law. We successfully guide clients through the immigration process, with an eye toward the ever-changing regulations in light of COVID-19. We will work to find an effective solution for your individual immigration needs.

The immigration lawyers at Garson Immigration Law are experienced in helping clients prepare Express Entry applications. If you have any questions about an immigration application during these uncertain times, do not hesitate to reach out to us online or by calling us at 416-321-2860.

Express Entry is one of the main ways that immigrants who wish to become permanent residents come to Canada, as it allows immigrants to apply for permanent residence based on how they can contribute to the Canadian economy.

Express Entry is a competitive program in which applicants are put into a pool and invited to Canada in groups determined by the Comprehensive Ranking System, which is based on a variety of factors. All Express Entry applicants require work experience prior to applying, but there are multiple programs under express entry that differ in their requirements after the work experience requirement is met. There are three options available for potential immigrants to come to Canada via Federal Express Entry. The programs available are the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Federal Skilled Trades Program. There is also the Provincial Nominee Program, which is sometimes included as part of Express Entry, so long as the candidate for the Provincial Nominee Program meets criteria for one of the Federal Express Entry programs.

Since the onset of the pandemic era restrictions on travel, there have been less immigrants accepted to Canada. Although the government has set lofty immigration goals for the next few years in order to compensate for the lower immigration numbers in 2020 and 2021, there still has yet to be a resumption in immigration under certain streams of the Express Entry program, leaving applicants waiting for the government to begin issuing invitations for the group they applied under. If you are planning on applying to Canada, carefully consider which program to apply under in order to give yourself the best chance of being accepted.

Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class for Express Entry is for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents. There are minimum requirements that must be met for candidates who want to apply under the Canadian Experience Class. The minimum requirements include being at the required language level in writing, reading, listening and speaking needed for your job, having at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada in the three years before applying and that the work experience you have was obtained while you were legally allowed to work under temporary resident status. The work experience must qualify the applicant for a managerial or professional role, or a skilled trade. There is no education requirement for the Canadian Experience Class, but foreign and Canadian educational experiences can make an application more competitive.

During the COVID-19 pandemic era restrictions on travel, there have still been Applicants invited to Canada under the Canadian Experience Class, as 2000 applicants were issued invitations recently on September 14. It is likely that Canadian Experience Class candidates will continue to receive invitations, so if you are considering coming to Canada under this program you can apply and will likely be considered for entry.

Provincial Nominee Program

The Provincial Nominee Program allows the provinces of Canada to set out various streams that allow applicants to apply for residency. Requirements vary based on which stream the applicant applies under and vary from province to province. If a Provincial Nominee Program applicant is selected, the province will nominate the applicant, who then has to apply to the federal government for permanent resident status. If you are looking to apply under the Provincial Nominee Program, you will be pleased to know that the Canadian government has been inviting Provincial Nominee Program Applicants to Canada, with 888 invitations issued on October 27, 2021 and more invitations being issued every month.

Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Federal Skilled Worker Program does not require Canadian work experience, but applicants have to meet a minimum points requirement that is derived from six selection factors, including age, education, language, skilled work experience, existing job offers and adaptability. Applicants must also be able to demonstrate they have sufficient financial funds to settle in Canada, or have a valid job offer in Canada.

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is available to applicants who work in a select number of trades, have two years of full time work experience, meet required language levels, and have a valid job offer of full-time employment for a period of at least one year.

Currently, applicants under these streams are not having invitations issued, as since the beginning of 2021 only Provincial Nominee Program applicants and Canadian Experience Class applicants have had invitations issued. It is unclear as to when invitations will resume to applicants under these streams. If you are thinking of applying, it is worth noting that candidate profiles expire after one year and the language test must be redone after two years. While it is likely that applications under these programs will start being processed again within the next year, it is not certain as to when the government will begin issuing invitations again so some applicants may want to wait to apply. There are still some advantages to applying early, such as having your name in the pool of applicants when invitations start being issued again and having a chance to receive a provincial nomination. However, given the fluid nature of the situation for these programs, some applicants may want to consider a different path to permanent residency.

Unsure of How to Apply to Come to Canada? Garson Immigration Law Can Help

Garson Immigration Law is a firm exclusively dedicated to the practice of immigration law. We successfully guide clients through the immigration process, with an eye toward the ever-changing regulations in light of COVID-19. We will work to find an effective solution for your individual immigration needs and ensure you are positioned for success with respect to your application. At Garson Immigration Law we have a wealth of experience in helping clients apply for permanent residence through Express Entry.

The immigration lawyers at Garson Immigration Law are here to help. If you have any questions about a potential application, do not hesitate to reach out to us online or by calling us at 416-321-2860.