If you’re looking for a quick way to legally immigrate to Canada, the Express Entry draw is your best option. The Canada Immigration Express Entry draw is the fastest and most common route for immigrants to secure permanent residence status in Canada.
Let’s dig deeper into this draw, including all the steps and requirements involved.
Key Points
- The Canada Immigration Express Entry Draw Program is used by the Canadian government to process immigration applications.
- Express Entry is a points-based system, with a maximum of 1,200 awarded based on factors such as education, skills, and language proficiency.
- Express Entry draws take place roughly every 2 weeks, in which top candidates are invited to apply for permanent residency.
- It costs roughly $2,300 for individuals to immigrate to Canada through the Express Entry program, and $4,500 for couples.
What Is The Canada Immigration Express Entry Draw Program?
Express Entry is an online system used by the government of Canada to process immigration applications. More specifically, the Express Entry is a points-based system used by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to choose and screen skilled worker immigration candidates looking to move to Canada.
There are three main immigration programs managed through Express Entry:
- Federal Skilled Workers
- Federal Skilled Trades
- Canadian Experience Class
Candidates may be eligible for all federal economic immigration programs and chosen based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, or they will be selected for just one program. The CRS assesses and scores immigrant applicant profiles and ranks them in the Express Entry pool. Your CRS score is based on your skills, education, and language ability.
When Does The Canada Immigration Express Entry Draw Happen?
About every 2 weeks, top candidates are invited to apply for permanent residency.
The Canada.ca website updates details regarding Express Entry invitation rounds, including the following:
- Date and time of the latest round
- CRS score of lowest-ranked invited candidate invited
- Number of invitations issued
- Rank required
How Can You Apply For The Canada Immigration Express Entry Draw?
To apply to Express Entry, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility
You’ll need to find out what the qualification requirements are for one of the federal immigration programs and see if you meet them. You can see if you qualify by using the official Canada Immigration website’s eligibility tool.
Step 2: Submit Your Profile
You’ll need to supply a few documents to submit your profile, including the following:
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Language test results
- Travel document
Step 3: Wait For An Invitation To Apply
Regular draws take place to invite the highest-ranking candidates to apply, usually every couple of weeks. As mentioned, candidates are ranked according to their CRS scores.
Step 4: Complete Your Application
Once you’ve submitted your profile along with the required documents, you’ll be invited to apply for permanent residence status in Canada. At this point, you must complete a more in-depth application that includes the following:
- Police clearance certificates
- Reference letters
- Medical exam results
- Proof of identity documents
Step 5: Wait For A Decision
After submitting your application, you’ll need to wait for a decision. This can take a few months. If you’re approved, you’ll receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
How Is My Profile Ranked For The Canada Immigration Express Entry Draw?
Your profile is ranked based on your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which is out of 1,200. Your total CRS score includes a core set up to 600, and another set of additional points up to 600.
Factors that affect your CRS score include the following:
- Age: Younger applicants typically get more points.
- Education: Higher levels of education generate more points.
- Language proficiency: Strong English or French language skills are essential for a high score.
- Work experience: Extensive experience, especially in Canada, can generate more points.
You must meet the minimum CRS score to get included in the Express Entry pool. If your profile is chosen from the pool, you’ll get an invitation from the government of Canada. Then, you can start the documentation process for your permanent residence.
How Are CRS Points Allocated?
The 1,200 points under the CRS are available as follows:
| Candidates With A Spouse/Common-Law Partner | Candidates Without A Spouse/Common-Law Partner |
| 460 points available for the main applicant’s core human capital factors 40 points for the spouse/common-law partner’s core human capital factors 100 points available for skill transferability factors 600 points available for additional factors | 500 points available for core human capital factors 100 points available for skill transferability factors 600 points available for additional factors |
Additional Points
Additional points are available as follows:
| French Speakers | Siblings In Canada |
| 25 points for those with at least intermediate French ability 50 points for those with at least intermediate French ability, and minimum English language test result of CLB 5 | 15 points for candidates with a sibling at least 18 years old who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident |
How To Increase Your Chances In The Canada Immigration Express Entry Draw
Your ability to qualify for the Express Entry system is based on your CRS score. The higher your CRS score, the better your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residence.
How Much Does Express Entry Cost?
The average cost to immigrate to Canada through the Express Entry program is as follows:
- Individuals: $2,300
- Couples: $4,500
The majority of these costs come from government fees. The remainder of these costs includes the following items (on average):
- Language tests: $300
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): $200
- Biometrics: $85 per person
- Medical exam fees: $450 per adult; $250 per child
- Police clearance certificates: $100 per country
How To Finance Your Stay In Canada
Moving to Canada is expensive. There are all sorts of costly expenses to cover, including housing and transportation. Until you get settled, you’ll need a big chunk of change to help you find all these expenses. If you don’t have access to liquid cash, there are options available to consider.
Apply For A Government Loan
Government programs are available to help newcomers get the financing they need to get settled in Canada:
Immigration Loans Program (ILP)
The Canadian government offers the Immigration Loans Program (ILP) to immigrants moving to Canada. There are several loan types available under this program to help newcomers cover the costs associated with settling in their new home, including the following:
- Transportation loans to cover the cost of travelling from their home country to Canada.
- Assistance loans to cover the initial costs associated with resettling in Canada.
- Right Of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) loans to cover the cost of seeking permanent residence.
Windmill Microlending
Windmill Microlending provides small “micro” loans of up to $15,000 with a fixed rate of 6.7%. The funds can be used to cover various expenses meant to help newcomers advance their education or careers in Canada, such as qualifying exams, training, and professional association fees.
Apply For A Personal Loan
A personal loan provides you with a lump sum of money that can be used to cover various debts and costs, including expenses related to settling in Canada. You’ll need to repay the loan via installment payments over a specified loan term, along with interest and applicable fees.
Most personal loan amounts range from $500 to $50,000, on average, and loan term lengths range from 6 to 60 months. If you have good credit, you can get a personal loan from a conventional lender at a low-interest rate.
However, as a recently arrived immigrant, you won’t have had the chance to build your credit history. As such, you’ll have better luck securing a loan with an alternative lender.
Learn more: Loans For Immigrants In Canada
Final Thoughts
The Express Entry draw offers a fast track to permanent residence status in Canada. If you meet the skills, language, and education credentials, you can boost your chances of being selected for the draw and expedite the immigration process. Then, you can begin your new life in Canada sooner rather than later.
