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Express Entry is an application management system applied to the economic immigration programs of Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades and Canadian Experience Class. A small amount of the Provincial Nominees (PN) may also qualify to apply for Express Entry however PN candidates must also meet the criteria of either the Skilled Worker, Skilled Trade or Experience Class program.

Express Entry manages applications by inviting only those with the best indicators for success in Canada’s labour market to apply to immigrate to Canada and receive Permanent Resident status. Hence, the goal of the program is to select and stream candidates who have greatest chances of success in obtaining and maintaining employment in Canada based on current Canadian labour market demands, thereby speeding the process of permanent immigration for the most ’qualified’ candidates.

Eligibility for the program is based on a points system called a ’Comprehensive Ranking System score. Once applicants pass a critical review of their Skilled Worker, Skilled Trades or Experience Class program application, they are then placed in a selecting pool and awarded a certain amount of points. Those with the highest points are invited to apply for Permanent Resident status. A candidates ranking within the pool is based on the amount of points each applicant is able to accumulate. The number of points accumulated for a candidate can change over time. For example, completing a university degree or obtaining further work experience can increase the number of points a candidate accumulates. Similarly, a candidates ’rank may change as other candidates join and leave the pool. Thus, candidates with the highest score have the best opportunity of being invited.

Employers, after having proved they cannot find a qualified Canadian or Permanent Resident to fill a position at their company/organization, can view the pool of Express Entry candidates to ultimately be matched with the most suitable candidate for the position. Hence, Express Entry allows employers to have direct participation in ’recruiting economic immigrants’ creating a positive response to the growing issue of unemployed and underemployed immigrants in the Canadian labour market. Note, employers must also qualify to be part of the program — offering only jobs that meet the criteria assigned by the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

Since the Express Entry program was established in January 2015, there have been over 112,701 applications submitted. As of July 6, 2015, the outcome of those applications are as follows:

It is important to note that ’candidates can receive 600 additional points for a job offer or a provincial/territorial nomination. The first four rounds of invitations included a vast number of such candidates that were already working in Canada and as a result, were ’familiar and able to navigate Canada’s immigration system and submit an application quickly.

In total, CIC has received 7,528 applications for Permanent Residence from candidates invited to apply through the Express Entry program. Of those 7,528 candidates, 844 visa’s have been issued to the principal applicant and dependants; 411 principal applicants and dependents have already been admitted to Canada.

References

Express Entry Mid-Year Report. (July 2015).