Express Entry: Improving Your Profile and Ranking
Only candidates who are eligible for one of Canada’s federal economic immigration programs are able to submit their profile into the Express Entry pool.
Eligible candidates in the Express Entry pool are ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System, which ranks eligible candidates for immigration to Canada through Express Entry components including:
core human capital factors
accompanying spouse or common-law partner factors
skill transferability factors, and
factors relating to a provincial nomination or a qualifying offer of arranged employment.
The highest-ranked candidates are issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent Residence when the government of Canada performs regular draws from the pool.
Therefore, it is in the candidate's best interests to strive to improve their scores in order to increase their chances of receiving an invitation to apply.
Express Entry Tip #1: Obtain 600 CRS Points
The single most beneficial thing that a candidate may do to improve his or her Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is to obtain a nomination from a Canadian province or a qualifying job offer from a Canadian employer.
While candidates who do not have a qualifying job offer from a Canadian employer or nomination from a Canadian province may receive an ITA for permanent residence at some stage, the 600 points available under the Comprehensive Ranking System mean that candidates with either a qualifying job offer or provincial nomination will receive an ITA for permanent residence at a subsequent draw from the Express Entry pool.
Provincial Nominee Programs
In Canada, the federal government and the provinces and territories share jurisdiction over the selection of immigrants. Geographically and politically, Canada is divided into 10 provinces and three territories. Apart from the territory of Nunavut and the province of Quebec, all other provinces and territories have immigration programs that allow them to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and who are interested in settling in a particular province. These are the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
Provincial and territorial governments have been using these programs to welcome new permanent residents to Canada. Each PNP is tailored to the specific needs of the provinces and territories, which aim to select new immigrants who will be able to settle into life and work in the region and effectively contribute to the community, both socially and economically.
Most PNPs contain a stream aligned with the federal Express Entry immigration selection system. Candidates in the Express Entry pool who obtain an enhanced nomination from a province are awarded 600 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System, out of a possible total of 1,200. When these additional points are added to a candidate’s human capital and skills transferability points, it will result in an invitation to apply for permanent residence at a subsequent draw from the Express Entry pool.
A Qualifying Job Offer From A Canadian Employer
One of the stated aims of the Express Entry immigration selection system is for Canada to select newcomers who will be able to integrate successfully into life in Canada. As a result, the system places an increased emphasis on a candidate’s ability to find gainful employment in Canada. It’s never too early to begin your Canada job search.
Under the Comprehensive Ranking System, candidates with arranged employment (as proven by having obtained a qualifying job offer from a Canadian employer with a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment) are awarded 600 points. When these additional points are added to a candidate’s human capital and skills transferability points, it will result in an ITA for PR at a subsequent draw from the Express Entry pool.
Candidates outside Canada may feel that obtaining a qualifying job offer from an employer in Canada is an arduous task, but, with the right tools and resources, they may promote themselves to employers in their field in Canada.
Express Entry Tip #2: Improving Core Human Capital Factors
Under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), up to 600 points are awarded for core human capital factors and skills transferability, which take into account factors such as a candidate’s age, education, language proficiency, and work experience.
If a candidate takes steps to improve certain human capital factors, he or she may be awarded additional points under the CRS. Steps that may be taken include:
Completing an educational degree, diploma or certificate
Having the spouse or common-law partner of the principal applicant complete an educational degree, diploma, or certificate
Improving ability in English and/or French and taking (or re-taking) a standardized language test recognized by the government of Canada
Having the spouse or common-law partner of the principal applicant improve ability in English and/or French and having them take (or re-take) a standardized language test recognized by the government of Canada
Gaining additional work experience
Having the spouse or common-law partner of the principal applicant gain additional work experience
By taking one or more of these steps, candidates in the Express Entry pool may see their ranking improve under the CRS.
Our Services
Calver and Associates is a leading provider of Canadian Immigration services in Durham Region. We serve clients in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, and beyond. Our Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant has over 10 years of experience in Canadian Immigration law and over four years of experience serving those in the Oshawa area.
We can provide assistance with applications for both temporary and permanent residency in Canada. We handle applications for study permits, permanent residency, family class sponsorship, visitor visas, work permits, and Canadian citizenship. We also handle criminal inadmissibility cases by developing remedies for refusal.
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