Canadian Express Entry 2023: Your Step-by-Step Immigration Guide

Express Entry is one of the most common immigration programs to obtain permanent residence in Canada. We aim to provide you with a comprehensive guide covering everything you need to know about the application process.

Language Assessment for Express Entry

On the one hand, the English or French Assessment is a vital aspect of your application. Concerning English, the IRCC-approved language tests include the IELTS and CELPIP. If you are interested in taking approved exams for French, the options are the TEF Canada and the TCF Canada.

Language proficiency is a major point earner in the application, which is why you should prioritize this aspect. In the Merit Immigration subscription plan, you will have valuable resources to help you prepare in the best way possible.

Canadian Work Experience

The next aspect you need to prepare for is Canadian work experience. This experience will be considered valid for Express Entry if it falls under the NOC (National Occupational Classification) codes of 0, 1, 2, or 3. It’s important to check the classification of your job offer from a Canadian employer. You can verify it on the official website provided by the Canadian government. The number of points you receive will depend on the years of experience you have.

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

If you have a diploma or degree from outside of Canada, you will need to obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). This process will validate your program’s Canadian equivalency and must be conducted through one of the designated organizations established by the government. You can find a list of these organizations here.

Calculating Your CRS Score

Once you’ve completed these initial steps, you need to calculate your CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score to evaluate your profile. This point system considers factors such as age, education level, Canadian work experience (as mentioned above), spouse or common-law status, and a few others. When creating your profile, you will have 60 days to provide all the required information and enter the pool of candidates.

Receiving an ITA and Submitting Your Application

Canada’s Express Entry System regularly conducts draws and sends out ITAs (Invitations to Apply). These ITAs are sent to the best-qualified candidates from the Express Entry Pool who meet the criteria and point requirements in each draw.  If you receive an invitation, you will have 60 days to submit all the required documents to apply for your permanent residence. This is why you should start preparing your documents as soon as you receive an invitation.

Seek Professional Assistance

If you want to apply for permanent residence in Canada or have more questions about the process, remember that we have a marketplace full of professionals who can make your Canadian transition smooth and straightforward.