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Express Entry acts as a pool where eligible candidates submit their applications as ‘skilled workers’ with the hope of getting matched with a job requirement in Canada, selected based on their points, and then receiving an ‘Invitation to Apply.’ The Express Entry pool also allows Provinces in Canada to select candidates as per their requirements. If you are eligible for any one of these programs, then you can also apply via Express Entry meant for PNP programs. If you get nominated, your CRS score will receive 600 additional points, and then you can hope to receive an ITA soon. 

Every province in Canada has their respective immigration Provincial Nominee Program. They are designed for entrepreneurs and skilled workers who have the skills, education and work experience to meet the economic needs of a particular province or territory. Entrepreneurs are required to commit a certain amount of investment in that province. This program targets students, businesspeople, skilled workers and semi-skilled workers. Based on the highest ranking, the candidate will be selected by the province in each category.

CRS is a point-based system that the IRCC uses to score a candidate’s profile. CRS points include two sets of categories, such as ‘core points’ and ‘additional points.’ Each of these sets has 600 points, out of a total of 1200.

Core points + Additional points = Your Total Score.

There is no minimum score for eligibility. However, your likelihood of receiving an ‘Invitation To Apply’ increases if you have a higher score or your work experience and education are highly in demand to the country’s economic needs. 

An ideal candidate for the Express Entry FSWP program would be one who can proficiently communicate in 1 or both of Canada’s official languages – English or French. If you have studied in Canada, be it secondary or post-secondary education, it will boost your CRS score and move you ahead in the queue of applicants. Candidates with higher education, such as a Master’s, will have a higher ranking. Further, your work experience will also matter in making yourself an ideal candidate for FSWP. 

Yes, language tests are mandatory for all Canadian Permanent Residency applications. You must take an approved language test such as IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) for English, or TEF (Test d’évaluation de français) for French. The Canadian government is also allowing the PTE (Pearson Test of English) for immigration applications.

Yes, you can qualify for Express Entry without a job offer. For all the three programs under it – FSWP, CEC and FSTP – having a job offer is not mandatory. However, if you have it, then it will significantly boost your CRS score. Your eligibility mainly depends on factors like age, education, work experience, and language. Note that having a job offer also serves two purposes. One is to boost your CRS score and also allow you to work in Canada as a Temporary Foreign Worker.

If you have a DUI registered to your name, then you may be inadmissible to Canada for serious criminality. However, there are ways to make yourself admissible again or enter Canada on a temporary basis. For example, you can apply for a Temporary Resident Permit or opt for Criminal Rehabilitation. You must connect with an experienced immigration lawyer who can help you with those criminal records. 

Review your Requirements – You must check if your application is meeting specific conditions, like wage rate, job advertisement standards and business legitimacy. In addition, depending on the kind of LMIA, you may need to fulfill the conditions of having at least one employee and being at least a one-year-old business.

Apply via LMIA Online – You must use the secure LMIA Online portal, which requires a job bank for the employer’s account.

Submit Documents and fees as required.

Wait for Decision – ESDC will assess your application, and if all goes well, you will receive an LMIA certificate, allowing you to hire foreign nationals. 

The timeframe to contest a refused immigration case in Canada depends on the type of application and the reason for refusal. 

Judicial Review (Federal Court): You usually have 15 days from the date of refusal, if you are in Canada, or 60 days if you are outside Canada, to apply for a judicial review of the decision.

Appeals to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD): If applicable, such as in sponsorship cases, you typically have 30 days from the date of refusal to file an appeal.

Reconsideration Request: For some cases, you can request the visa office to reconsider the decision, but there’s no fixed timeframe, and success depends on new or overlooked information.