The Express Entry program is a popular pathway for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Determine Eligibility: Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for one of the federal economic programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Canadian Experience Class.
Create an Express Entry Profile: Complete your online profile, including information about your skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other details.
Obtain a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score: Your profile is scored based on the CRS. Factors include age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
Enter the Express Entry Pool: If you meet the criteria, your profile is entered into the pool of candidates.
Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): The highest-ranking candidates are periodicallyselected from the pool and invited to apply for permanent residence.
Submit Your Application: If you receive an ITA, you have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence online.
Medical and Security Checks: Undergo medical examinations and obtain police certificates.
Wait for a Decision: Once your application is submitted, wait for a decision. Processing times vary but generally take around six months.
Receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR): If approved, you will receive your COPR and instructions on how to complete the landing process in Canada.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The PNP allows provinces and territories to nominate individuals for immigration based on their specific needs. Here’s how it works:
Determine Eligibility: Check the eligibility criteria for the specific PNP stream you are interested in. Each province has its own criteria and streams.
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Some provinces require you to submit an EOI, while others may allow you to apply directly to a specific stream.
Receive a Nomination Invitation: If you meet the criteria, you may receive an invitation to apply for provincial nomination.
Submit Your Application to the Province: Complete and submit the required documents to the provincial authorities.
Receive a Provincial Nomination: If approved, you will receive a nomination certificate from the province.
Create an Express Entry Profile (if applicable): If you are applying through the Express Entry-aligned PNP stream, create an Express Entry profile and indicate that you have a provincial nomination.
Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): With a provincial nomination, you receive an additional 600 CRS points, virtually guaranteeing an ITA.
Submit Your Application for Permanent Residence: Follow the steps outlined in the Express Entry process to submit your application for permanent residence.
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
The AIP is designed to help employers in Atlantic Canada hire qualified candidates for jobs they haven’t been able to fill locally. Here’s the process:
Determine Eligibility: Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for one of the AIP streams: Atlantic High-Skilled Program, Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program, or Atlantic International Graduate Program.
Find a Designated Employer: Secure a job offer from an employer who is designated under the AIP.
Get a Settlement Plan: The employer will connect you with a designated settlement service provider organization to help you create a settlement plan.
Receive an Endorsement: Your employer will submit an endorsement application on your behalf to the appropriate provincial authorities.
Submit Your Application for Permanent Residence: Once you receive an endorsement, you can submit your application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Medical and Security Checks: Undergo medical examinations and obtain police certificates.
Wait for a Decision: Processing times vary, but the goal is to process applications within six months.
Receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR): If approved, you will receive your COPR and instructions on how to complete the landing process in Canada.
These step-by-step guides should help you understand the processes involved in immigrating to Canada through the Express Entry Program, Provincial Nominee Program, and Atlantic Immigration Program.
