Express Entry Facts: Immigration Lawyer, Deidre S. Powell

• What is Express Entry?
  • ​Express entry is a new electronic tool introduced by CIC to manage the  Federal skilled Worker Programme, The Federal Skilled Trades Programme, the Canadian Experienced Class Programme and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Programmes.
• How does it work?
  • ​Once you meet the criteria for at least one of the existing economic programmes you will be placed in a pool of candidates for selection by the Government of Canada, provincial and territorial governments and legitimate employers.
• Will there be a cap on the number of applications to accepted?
  • ​No. There will be no limit to the number of applications that CIC will accept under the Express Entry pool.
• What will happen to applications submitted for permanent residence prior to January 1, 2015?
  • ​Applications submitted to CIC before the launch of the Express Entry system will continue to be processed in accordance with the rules in place at the time of the submission of the application. 
• Do I need a job offer in order to apply?
  • ​No. Once you are eligible under one of the existing economic programmes ( FSWP, FSTP, CEC) you will be accepted into the pool.
• What if I am eligible for more than one programme?
  • ​If you are deemed eligible for more than one programme, the system will highlight that information to CIC and you will receive an invitation to apply for CIC which will tell you the programme that they have selected you for.
• What is the Processing time?
  • ​Once an invitation to apply has been granted, we will submit your completed application within the stipulated 60 days.  CIC plans to process your application in 6 months or less.
• Do I need to get an Education Credential Assessment (ECA)?
  • ​If you received your education outside of Canada, you will need to get your credentials assessed by one of the authorized bodies.This is necessary for persons hoping to qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker Category.  It is optional under the Federal Skilled Trades Programme and the Canadian Experienced Class.  However to increase your ranking in the pool it is highly recommended for applicants.
• Where can I get my credentials assessed?
  • ​CIC has approved the following organizations to assess your foreign credentials:
    • Comparative Education Service: University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies;
    • International Credential Assessment Service of Canada; and
    • World Education Services, Canada.
    • If you are applying  as a specialist physician, general practitioner you must have your credentials assessed by the Medical Council of Canada must do an ECA for your primary medical diploma;
    • If you are a Pharmacist, your credentials must be assessed by the  the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada 
• How long is an ECA valid for?
  • ​An ECA is valid for 5 years.
• I am from an English speaking country. Do I need to do the English Exam?
  • ​Yes. All economic immigrants will need to provide the results of their English language Examinations in order to apply.
• How long is the language test valid for?
  • ​Language test results are valid for 2 years.
  • Where can I sit the English Exam?
  • The two acceptable English tests are: 1. Canadian English Language Proficinet Index Programme ( CELPIP) General Test  2. The International English Language Testing Sytem ( IELTS) - General Training examination. Click link or call 876.977.0887 (Jamaica)
  • How will the Express Entry system benefit employers in Canada?
• • ​The new electronic Express Entry will give employers more recruitment options and help them better respond to labour shortages where there are no available Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
  • Eligible employers will play a significant role in the recruitment of economic immigrates. This will reduce the recruiting cost that employers face.  They will also be assured that they will have qualified employees. Express Entry candidates with a job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment or provincial/territorial nomination will be given additional points to be granted an invited to apply.
  • Employers will have access to the Job Bank so that you can connect with express entry candidates.  The Job Bank will “match” eligible employers with Express Entry candidates who meet their job description when there are no Canadians or permanent residents available to do the job.​
  • In 80%the majority of cases, permanent residence applications will be processed in six months or less of receiving a completed application.
• Will there be a fee for LMIA?
  • There will be no LMIA fee for permanent residence applications.
• Who can represent you under the Express Entry?
  • Only some people can charge a fee or receive any other type of payment to represent an immigrant or advise on a Canadian immigration proceeding or application. These are lawyers and paralegals, notaries and immigration consultants  who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society; the Chambre des notaires du Québec; and the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council. These are the only authorized representatives.
  • N.B. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will not deal with representatives who are not members of one of the above groups and who charge for their services.

Find out if you qualify by completing our free eligibility assessment form. Click here