Canada Express Entry: Your Chance To Permanently Settle In Canada

On January 1^st, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) initiated a new system for the application, selection and management of permanent residency in the following programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

A comprehensive ranking system (CRS) is used to rank applicants against each other and the applicants with the highest rank receive an invitation by the CIC to apply for immigration to Canada.

The government has previously used a points system to determine who would get to immigrate but the new program is slightly different in that, it automates the entire process and also provides an added advantage to those who already have a job lined up.

The entire application process is done online, after which the applicant needs to wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Once the ITA is issued, the applicants have to submit their application and other related documents within a time period of 60 days.

In case they are not selected they can renew their application, for they will remain in the pool for a year. The long-term goal is for the system to be used as a match making service, connecting Canadian employers with people who can fill in open job positions for which there are no Canadians or permanent residents.

Benefits of this system:

• It is much quicker than the previous system as permanent residency applications are processed within a short period of six months

• Vacant job posts might be filled in quicker than before by linking you with employers in Canada

• Since the whole process is online, it cuts down on paperwork

Downside of this System:

• Applicants will not know for sure whether they will receive an ITA or not

• Since Invitation To Apply cannot be guaranteed, it is difficult to determine timelines as well. This can in turn affect the eligibility of an applicant to continue working in Canada, when their permanent residency application is in process

The fundamental difference between the previous system and the new one is that instead of a first-in-line approach, applicants receive an ITA if they rank high enough to show that they possess the ability to integrate economically into Canada.

The aim of the express entry program is definitely laudable and it remains to be seen whether employers and foreign nationals will embrace this type of matching system or not.

For more news and updates, assistance with your visa needsCitizenship and Immigration Canada or for a Free Assessment of your profile for Immigration or Work Visa’s just visit www.y-axis.com