Express Entry Canada: A Comprehensive Guide for Pakistani Audiences
What makes Canada an absolute hotspot destination for immigrants across the world certainly does not exclude Pakistanis—be they individuals or families. It gives a first-class education, excellent job opportunities, and a high standard of living. One of the most popular routes for the intake of economic-class immigrants into Canada is through the Express Entry Canada system. This is the blog to inform any Pakistani moving to Canada via the Express Entry route about everything there is to know concerning Express Entry Canada.
What is Express Entry Canada?
Express Entry Canada is the online application portal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada uses to manage applications for permanent residence from skilled workers. It was initiated in the year 2015 with the intention of fast-tracking the whole immigration process and ensuring that Canada draws the best brains in the world.
How Does Express Entry Canada Work?
Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility
You should check if you’re eligible before you start your application. Under Express Entry, three main immigration programs will be covered: the Federal Skilled Worker Program for skilled workers with foreign work experience, the Federal Skilled Trades Program for skilled workers qualified in a skilled trade, and the Canadian Experience Class for workers skilled with Canadian work experience.
You would have to meet the required criteria regarding age, education, work experience, and language skills.
Step 2: Create an Express Entry Profile
If you’re eligible, the next step would be to create an Express Entry Canada profile. The profile includes information about your skills, work experience, language proficiency, education, and personal information. You’ll need to take a language test, such as IELTS, and get your foreign education credentials assessed by an approved agency.
Step 3: Receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score
After submitting your profile, you will get a CRS score, which has several factors, including age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and whether you have a job offer in Canada. The maximum CRS score possible for one to get is 1,200.
Step 4: Enter the Express Entry Pool
Your profile will then be put into the Express Entry pool, where you will be ranked against other candidates. IRCC conducts regular draws from this pool, inviting the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence.
Step 5: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
In case you are among the top-ranked candidates, you will be issued with an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence. You would have 60 days thereafter to submit a complete application with all the supporting documents and fees.
Step 6: Apply for Permanent Residence
After getting an ITA, you will be required to apply for permanent residence. This includes the submission of biometrics, police certificates, and passing medical examinations. When your application is found admissible, you will get confirmation of permanent residence for you to legally move into Canada.
Key Factors to Improve Your CRS Score
Improving your CRS score can go a long way in receiving an ITA. Following are some of the most important factors to focus on:
Language Proficiency
Language ability is one of the most important factors in your CRS score. If you perform well in language tests such as IELTS, you will increase your score. Enroll in language classes or try online tutorials that will help you improve your proficiency.
Education
Higher education means a lot of extra points on your CRS score. If possible, pursue further degrees and/or certifications that meet Canadian standards.
Work Experience
The more work experience you have, the better your chances of getting a higher CRS score, especially if in a skilful occupation. Take time to document the work experience in one of the eligible experience categories of the IRCC.
Job Offer
A valid job offer from a Canadian employer can give you an additional 200 points on your CRS score. It is a really good idea to Network and Apply for positions in Canada.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Most provinces and territories have their immigration programs which are called Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). A province nomination can give you an additional 600 points on the CRS Score, virtually guaranteeing an invitation to apply.
Conclusion
Express Entry Canada is a great avenue for skilled workers from any country, including Pakistan, to realize their dreams of permanent residency in Canada. Knowing the process and the eligibility criteria, along with a strategy for improving your CRS score, will increase your chances to a great extent in receiving the Invitation to Apply.
While the journey of immigrating to Canada through Express Entry may appear strict and. full of challenges, it’s undoubtedly attainable if one is rightly prepared for it and steadfast. Best of luck with the application—welcome to your new Canadian chapter!