Facts about the New Express Entry Programme - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | December 9, 2014

Facts about the New Express Entry Programme
Published in  Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | December 9, 2014

Dear Ms Powell,

I am very interested in the Express Entry programme and I've searched the Internet and all the information is vague. I'm a professional, and I'm prepared to invest in Canada, and I want to know if the investor-entrepreneur class will reopen.

N.N.

Dear N.N.

There has been much speculation about the Express Entry Programme as Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has not unveiled the full details of the programme. However, on December 1, Minister Chris Alexander made an announcement to clarify many uncertainties and I summarise the basic facts below.

Who can apply?

The Federal Immigrant Investor Class and Federal Entrepreneur class will remain closed until further notice and will not be available under the Express Entry.

The Express Entry is open to skilled workers who qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker Programme, Federal Skilled Trades Programme and the Canadian Experience Class.  You must qualify under one of these programmes in order to qualify.

Information about these existing programmes is listed on my website at www.deidrepowell.com.

How to apply?

There will be an electronic system available for persons to express an interest in being considered under the Express Entry. This system will determine whether CIC should send an invitation for the individual to apply. This will also determine the applicant's rank relative to other eligible foreign nationals around the world. Once an individual ranks high enough, an invitation to apply (ITA) will be sent to the individual or his authorised representative.

If an individual has a physical or mental disability, it is best to use a representative to assist with the application. However, arrangements can be made with CIC to have the applications submitted via paper form. Otherwise, all expression of interest must be submitted electronically.

Selection criteria

In order to be selected, an applicant needs to be able to satisfy the following:

1. Meet the requirement under at least one of the programmes listed above (FSWP, FSTP, CEC);

2. Register with one of the online job banks of the Department of Employment and Social Development within 30 days of submitting an Express Entry application, if the applicant does not have a valid job offer; (special arrangements will be made for the physical or mentally disabled applicant.

3. Applicants will be ranked in the pool based on:

(a) Core human capital factors;

(b) Accompanying spouse or common-law partner factors;

(c) Skill transferability factors;

(d) Factors relating to a provincial nomination; or

(e) Qualifying offer of arranged employment.

4. The total number of points that a single applicant can get is 1,200 under the comprehensive ranking system.

5. An applicant will need to submit English language results. Applicants should endeavour to get the highest possible points to increase their chance of getting an ITA.

6. You will need to have an Educational Credential Assessment Report completed by one of the authorised bodies in respect of any foreign credentials. It is imperative to send an original, unopened transcript to have this assessment done.

Who can represent you?

The Express Entry is a complex, new programme. Therefore, I urge you to use authorised representatives and not to pay attention to vague and unauthorised 'agents' or bodies. You must use a lawyer, a registered immigration consultant, or paralegal that is authorised.

I have written several articles on how to check to see if someone is authorised and past articles are available on my blog and The Gleaner's website. Also, CIC has additional information on how to select a representative on its website. You must note that CIC will only accept applications from an authorised representative. An applicant can waste valuable time and money if he or she uses an unauthorised individual or company.

The application process is critical and more competitive than before. Therefore, applicants should ensure that a complete and accurate application is submitted the first time so they do not miss the opportunity to be ranked highly and to receive an invitation to apply.

Complete our online client information form to find out if you qualify under the 2015 Canada Express Entry which opens .

Deidre S. Powell is a lawyer, mediator, and notary public who is a member of the Jamaican and Ontario, Canada bars, with main office located in Ottawa, Ontario. Her areas of practice are in immigration, real estate, personal injury, family and administration of estates. Email: info@deidrepowell.com. Subject line: Immigration or Tel: 613-695-8777.