I am waiting in the Express Entry Pool
If you have already submitted your Express Entry profile, we can help you improve your ranking.
Express Entry: Improving Your Profile And Ranking
Some candidates for immigration to Canada have already taken an important first step and submitted an Express Entry profile. Only candidates who are eligible for one of Canada’s federal economic immigration programs are able to submit their profile into the Express Entry pool.
Eligible candidates in the Express Entry pool are ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System, which ranks eligible candidates for immigration to Canada through Express Entry under the following components:
- core human capital factors;
- accompanying spouse or common-law partner factors;
- skill transferability factors; and
- factors relating to a provincial nomination or a qualifying offer of arranged employment.
The highest-ranked candidates are issued invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence when the government of Canada performs regular draws from the pool. Therefore, it is in candidates’ best interests to strive to improve their scores in order to increase their chances of receiving an invitation to apply.
Obtain 600 CRS Points
The most beneficial single thing that a candidate may do to improve his or her Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is obtain a nomination from a Canadian province or a qualifying job offer from a Canadian employer.
While candidates who do not have a qualifying job offer from a Canadian employer or nomination from a Canadian province may receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence at some stage, the 600 points available under the Comprehensive Ranking System mean that candidates with either a qualifying job offer or provincial nomination will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence at a subsequent draw from the Express Entry pool.
Provincial Nominee Programs: A Fast-Track To Permanent Residence Through Express Entry
Provinces and territories are able to nominate a certain number of candidates through the Express Entry system to meet local and provincial labour market needs. These portions of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are known as “enhanced” nominations. The provinces of Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia and Prince Edward Island, as well as the Northwest Territories, have unveiled immigration streams that are aligned with the federal Express Entry immigration selection system. Other provinces are expected to do likewise.
Candidates in the Express Entry pool who obtain a nomination from a province are awarded 600 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System, out of a possible total of 1,200. When these additional points are added to a candidate’s human capital and skills transferability points, it will result in an invitation to apply for permanent residence at a subsequent draw from the Express Entry pool.
In Canada, the federal government and the provinces and territories share jurisdiction over the selection of immigrants. Geographically and politically, Canada is divided into 10 provinces and three territories. Apart from the territory of Nunavut and the province of Quebec, all other provinces and territories have immigration programs that allow them to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and who are interested in settling in a particular province. The federal government then reviews health and security documentation before issuing the permanent resident visa.
Provincial and territorial governments have been using these programs to welcome new permanent residents to Canada. Each PNP is tailored to the specific needs of the provinces and territories, which aim to select new immigrants who will be able to settle into life and work in the region and effectively contribute to the community, both socially and economically.
Read about specific PNPs (programs marked with an asterix* contain enhanced Express Entry streams):
- Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
- British Columbia PNP*
- Manitoba PNP*
- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)*
- Opportunities Ontario
- New Brunswick PNP
- Prince Edward Island PNP*
- Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)*
- Newfoundland and Labrador PNP
- Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)*
- Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)
A Qualifying Job Offer From A Canadian Employer
One of the stated aims of the Express Entry immigration selection system is for Canada to select newcomers who will be able to integrate successfully into life in Canada. As a result, the system places an increased emphasis on a candidate’s ability to find gainful employment in Canada. It’s never too early to begin your Canada job search.
Under the Comprehensive Ranking System, candidates with arranged employment (as proven by having obtained a qualifying job offer from a Canadian employer with a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment) are awarded 600 points. When these additional points are added to a candidate’s human capital and skills transferability points, it will result in an invitation to apply for permanent residence at a subsequent draw from the Express Entry pool.
Candidates outside Canada may feel that obtaining a qualifying job offer from an employer in Canada is an arduous task, but, with the right tools and resources, they may promote themselves to employers in their field in Canada.
- The CanadaVisa Job Search tool is a free and comprehensive tool where candidates can research open job positions across Canada and contact potential employers.
- Candidates may build a Canadian-style resume/CV using the CanadaVisa Resume Builder.
- Other CanadaVisa career coaching tools and resources will help candidates to establish connections with Canadian employers.
Improving Core Human Capital Factors
Under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), up to 600 points are awarded for core human capital factors and skills transferability, which take into account factors such as a candidate’s age, education, language proficiency, and work experience.
If a candidate takes steps to improve certain human capital factors, he or she may be awarded additional points under the CRS. Steps that may be taken include:
- Completing an educational degree, diploma or certificate
- Having the spouse or common-law partner of the principal applicant complete an educational degree, diploma or certificate
- Improving ability in English and/or French and taking (or re-taking) a standardized language test recognised by the government of Canada
- Having the spouse or common-law partner of the principal applicant improve ability in English and/or French and having him or her take (or re-take) a standardized language test recognised by the government of Canada
- Gaining additional work experience
- Having the spouse or common-law partner of the principal applicant gain additional work experience
By taking one or more of these steps, candidates in the Express Entry pool may see their ranking improve under the CRS.
