Step-by-step instructions for immigrating to Canada for the Express Entry system

Step-by-step instructions for immigrating to Canada for the Express Entry system

Applications for immigration to Canada under one of the federal programs are accepted online. The Express Entry system is used for this purpose. We have prepared detailed instructions on the necessary steps.

Beginning January 1, 2015, those wishing to immigrate as qualified employees must use the Express Entry system.

The information you enter in your Express Entry profile will be used to assess your ability to immigrate to Canada. If you qualify, you will be placed in the ranking system with the other participants. Invitations will then be sent out to the top applicants to apply for the final Permanent Resident application.

Completing an Express Entry profile and getting into the ranking system does not guarantee a Permanent Resident invitation.

Before you start

1) You must pass the English language test and obtain the required score based on the requirements of one of the three immigration programs (see immigration programs Express Entry).

2) If the education was obtained outside of Canada, it must be certified by an Educational Credential Assessment. The report must show that the foreign education is equivalent to a completed Canadian education. This requirement is not necessary for those who have recently obtained at least one year of work experience in Canada, or whose work experience is in a skilled trade (Skilled Trades):

— Main group 72: industry, energy, construction.

— Core group 73: Maintenance and equipment operators.

— Core group 82: supervisors and technicians in natural resources, agriculture and related fields.

— Main group 92: production, controlling operators.

— Secondary group 632: cooks.

— Secondary group 633: butchers and bakers.

A detailed list of these specialties can be found in the NOC job classifier.

Even if your profession does not require education, we recommend that you still add education to your profile (if you have one) to get extra points.

3) You must know the "Level of your Occupation" on NOC that you have worked/are working in, and the job you plan to work in in Canada, if they are different. You can find out the Level by using NOC. There are Levels:

— Management work (NOC Level 0).

— Qualified work (NOC Level A).

— Technical work and Skilled Trades (NOC Level B).

In NOC you should find your job title, job code and Level.

You will need this information more than once, have it handy at all times.

Step 1: Make sure you have the opportunity to participate

Take the test on Canada's official immigration website to get an estimate of your chances of getting into the Express Entry participant selection rating system. It will take you 15 minutes.

You will need: an English language result, NOC Level and the Education Credential Assessment (ECA).

Passing the test will give you a unique number, you need to write it down somewhere as you will need it when completing your Express Entry profile.

Step 2: Start populating your profile

If you have received positive results on the test (see step 1), the system will prompt you to create a profile and start filling it out.

To create a profile, the system will ask you for personal information: nationality, contact information, education, work, languages, family. You will also need to provide:

— Passport or passport.

— NOC job information (see before you start).

— Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP or TEF).

— Education Credential Assessment result, if available (see before you start).

— A copy of the written contract from the Canadian employer, if available.

— A copy of the provincial nomination, if available.

— The code assigned to you upon completion of the test, if available (see Step 1). The code is used to automatically transfer your answers from the test to your Express Entry profile to speed up the process. If you are confident in your abilities, you can start completing your profile at once, bypassing the test.

Creating an Express Entry Profile (EE Profile)

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  • #Express Entry
  • #Federal Skilled Worker
  • #Federal Skilled Trades
  • #Canadian Experience Class
  • #Immigration to Canada
  • #Immigration to Canada
  • #Comprehensive Ranking System
  • #Comprehensive Scorecard
  • #Invitation to Apply