If the consideration of migrating to Canada is twirling around your mind, you are not alone. Canada consistently ranks high as an immigrant destination due to its quality of living, excellent education and healthcare systems, and numerous job opportunities that attract many immigrant aspirants. For Pakistanis who have the ambition of acquiring Canadian permanent residence, the Express Entry Canada system by far is a very effective way.
This blog will guide you through the basics of Express Entry Canada, explain the procedure, and provide tips to increase your chances of success. I shall give you solid helpful information that will help you prepare for your journey of permanent residency in Canada.
What Is Express Entry Canada?
Express Entry Canada is a new way for managing permanent residency applications in Canada, based on points gained. It is a system targeting people across the globe who are exceptional in most skills and can uplift the economy of Canada, such as Pakistan.
How Does It Work?
Express Entry Canada is used to manage three major immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): Deals with people with significant work experience and qualifications.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): This is for skilled people in trade who have the relevant qualifications and experience.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): This is for the people in the pool who have already gained work experience in Canada.
They have online profiles, and it is a point-based system according to the age of an individual, their education, their work experience, and language proficiency. The profile with the highest marks receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada.
Eligibility Criteria for Express Entry Canada
Certain bar criteria need to be met to enter the Express Entry Canada system. The following eligibility criteria are important to consider for your application:
Age
Your age is one of the most important factors that are considered based on your CRS score. If you are between 20 to 29 years of age, you will have the highest score, but other groups beyond this age can easily qualify with good scoring in other sections.
Education
Having more education will give you more points on the CRS. With a bachelor’s degree or higher from a learning institution that is publicly funded or given its degree-granting powers you will earn many more points. If your education was acquired outside Canada, you will need to get an ECA – Educational Credential Assessment – to verify the equivalency of your qualification.9
Work Experience
Another important element under the Express Entry Canada system is the work experience factor. Points are assigned based on the number of years of prior skilled work experience. Skilled work includes jobs in management and professional, technical, and skilled trades.
Language Proficiency
Your ability to communicate in English or French will be measured through standardized language tests such as the IELTS or TEF. A high score acquired in these standardized tests can boost an individual’s CRS score greatly.
How to Improve Your CRS Score
Now that you are aware of the eligibility requirements, focus on how you can better your CRS score. A high score maximizes your chances of receiving an ITA.
Improve Language Scores
Enhance Points through the Language Test
Improving the score in the language test by retaking it and receiving better grades is a solid strategy to improve your CRS score. Even improving by 0.5 IELTS Band could mean a lot.
Obtain a Job Offer
Having a valid job offer from an employer in Canada can award you up to 200 points for your CRS score. While this is not a requirement, it boosts your profile.
Gain More Work Experience
Having less than three years of experience does not award you as many points. The more skilled work experience, the more points are awarded for it.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Applying through the Provincial Nominee Program can give an additional number of points, as high as 600, which almost assures that you will get an ITA. Having its criteria, it’s worth exploring.
Step-by-Step Process of Express Entry Canada
Although the working of Express Entry will still seem way too vast for comprehension, a stepped-down description is here for your better understanding.
Step 1: Am I EStep 1: Determine Your Eligibility
First, check whether you are eligible to apply under at least one of the programs available within Express Entry. You can do this easily by using an online tool that the Canadian government has designed specifically for this reason.
Step 2: Create an Express Entry Profile
Once you are convinced that you qualify, it is time to proceed with creating an online profile. While doing so, you will be required to provide information about your education, work experience, language skills, and other related details. Afterward, drop your profile into the Express Entry pool, following which it shall be ranked based on your CRS score.
Step 3: Improve Your CRS Score
As discussed above, you should be always working towards raising your CRS score while you are in the pool. This might entail you writing another language test, gaining more work experience, or the time in which you will receive that provincial nomination.
Step 4: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
If your CRS score is high enough, you will receive an ITA during one of the regular draws conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Following this, you can apply for permanent residence.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
An ITA will be sent to you, and upon receipt, you have 60 days to infer your consent and submit a full application for permanent residency accompanied by all documents as required. This includes documents such as police certificates, medical exams, and proof of funds.
Step 6: Await a Decision
Upon submission of the application, the Canadian immigration authorities process the application in approximately six months. If the application is approved, a Confirmation of Permanent Residence is issued to the applicant, who can then start life anew in Canada.
Benefits of Permanent Residency in Canada
Permanent residence in Canada comes with numerous benefits, which make this process worthwhile.
Access to Healthcare and Social Services
As a permanent resident, you will be confident to gain from the public healthcare system and many social services in Canada. Therefore, you and your family are assured of decent living standards.
Education Opportunities
Canada offers a good education system that is respected globally. Permanent residents have the privilege of enrolling their children in public schools, with lower university and college programs.
Pathway to Canadian Citizenship
After some time of permanent residency in Canada, one can become a Canadian citizen. This entitles one to the right to vote hold a Canadian passport, and all other benefits that one could get as a citizen of this great country.
Freedom to Live and Work Anywhere in Canada
As a permanent resident, you have an opportunity to live and work in any province or territory in Canada. You are free to explore diverse job opportunities across the country and thereby figure out where would be the most apt place for your family.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Although the Express Entry system is considered very efficient, applicants often face a few challenges. Any of these barriers are not difficult to overcome if you prepare well.
Meeting the Language Requirements
It is not easy to get high scores on language tests. It involves proper preparation and practice. Register for some language courses or practice online in due preparation for the test.
Gathering the Required Documents
The checklist for documents to be submitted for Express Entry can be very lengthy. Leaving out even one document would mean causing a delay in your application. Starting early to gather all the required documents and keep them in an easy-to-retrieve manner is crucial.
Navigating the Complex Application Process
The process of applying for Express Entry is quite complicated, especially for first-time applicants. Having an immigration consultant guide you through the process until you complete your application can be very helpful.
Conclusion
With this explanation, one realizes that Express Entry into Canada is a systematic way through which a Pakistani can obtain permanent residency in Canada. Awareness and meeting the eligibility criteria as well as improving your CRS scores are your success factors.\
This permanent residency in Canada will avail you of several good openings related to health care, education, and the freedom to live and work in any part of this country. It might be an arduous journey, but with enough fortitude and the right information, you can realize your dream of being in Canada.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, consult with a good immigration professional, as they can provide you with personalized directives based on your situation.
