Express Entry Visa Lawyers
Canada’s Express Entry system is one of the fastest ways that skilled workers can obtain permanent residency in the country. With three main federal programs–plus certain Provincial Nominee streams–express entry ensures that individuals with in-demand skills, education, and experience can settle in Canada.
At Border Solutions Law Group, our team of Vancouver immigration lawyers has extensive experience guiding clients through express entry, from initial profile creation to final applications. If you have questions about the process or your eligibility, contact our immigration team today.
What is Express Entry?
Express entry is a federal, points-based system managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that processes immigration applications for skilled workers. Instead of waiting in a queue or backlog, eligible candidates can enter a pool where they are assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors like:
- Age
- Level of education
- Language proficiency in English and/or French
- Canadian and/or foreign skilled work experience
- Employment in Canada
- Provincial nominations
- Spousal status
- And more
Candidates who are given the highest CRS scores in the pool are invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence during an express entry draw, conducted by the IRCC. Draws take place approximately every two weeks, although the exact frequency and number of invitations issued are determined by IRCC’s processing capacity and annual immigration targets. If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you will have 60 calendar days to submit your complete application for permanent residence. During this period, you will need to compile and submit all supporting documentation that’s required.
How Does the Express Entry Draw Work?
Every few weeks, IRCC conducts an express entry draw, where they select candidates from the pool with the most number of CRS points. The specific cutoff CRS score can change between each draw, depending on:
- The number of invitations IRCC wants to issue during the draw
- Current economic priorities in Canada (for example, some draws may be targeted towards certain occupations or categories).
- And more
If your CRS score meets or exceeds the draw’s cutoff, you may receive an ITA for permanent residency. If you do, you must submit an electronic Application for Permanent Residence (e-APR) with comprehensive documentation before the deadline passes. Documents you might need include:
- Police certificates
- Reference letters
- Medical examinations
- Letters of employment
- Proof of education
- Language test results
- And more
Final PR approval can take anywhere from 6 to 8 months, although processing times vary. The Canadian government normally displays the CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate invited to apply in their most recent express entry draw, which you can check here.
Eligibility Requirements for Express Entry
To participate in express entry, you must be eligible for at least one of the programs that fall under it. Eligibility requirements that most Express Entry programs have in common include:
- Language Skills: You must take an IRCC-approved language test (IELTS, CELPIP) in English or a recognized French test (e.g., TEF, TCF). Achieving the required Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) is important for your express entry eligibility.
- Skilled Work Experience: Express entry is meant exclusively for workers in skilled occupations. These are classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories 0,1, 2, or 3. Each entry stream has specific duration requirements. For example, at least one year of continuous full-time work experience is required for the Federal Skilled Worker program.
- Education: In most cases, you must have a Canadian diploma/degree or an Education Credential Assessment (EC) for any foreign degrees or credentials you have. This assessment should confirm that your foreign credential equivalates to the same Canadian standard.
- Financial Support: If you do not have a valid job offer in Canada prior to applying, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient settlement funds to support yourself (and any accompanying family members) while you seek employment.
- Admissibility: You cannot be inadmissible on criminal, medical, or security grounds in order to receive permanent residency in Canada. If you are, you may need to take additional steps to address your inadmissibility before you are eligible for express entry.
It’s important to remember that each express entry stream has its own thresholds. For example, the Federal Skilled Worker program requires passing a separate 67-point grid before you are able to enter the pool. Consulting our Vancouver immigration lawyers at Border Solutions Law Group can help you confirm whether you meet all criteria and structure your application correctly.
What Kinds of Express Entry Programs Are There?
Express entry is an umbrella term for multiple different immigration streams. These include:
1. The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program
The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program is meant for skilled workers who gained their employment or work experience outside of Canada. Key requirements include:
- At least 1 continuous year of skilled work experience in the past 10 years (in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3).
- Passing the 67-point eligibility grid, which takes into consideration your age, language, education, and adaptability).
- Proof of funds if you have no valid job offer in Canada at the time of your application.
- And more
2. Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Program
The Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Program is meant for skilled tradespersons who want to become Canadian permanent residents, like electricians, plumbers, carpenters, chefs, and more. Key requirements include:
- Minimum 2 years of full-time work experience in a recognized trade within the last 5 years. This work experience can be from Canada or a foreign country, as long as you were certified to practice in the foreign country.
- Valid job offer or a Canadian provincial/territorial certification in your trade.
- Language proficiency of at least CLB 5 (speaking & listening) and CLB 4 (reading & writing).
- And more
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is an express entry pathway for people who have at least 1 year of skilled work experience they completed inside Canada (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3). Key requirements include:
- Must meet minimum language levels (CLB 7 or CLB 5, depending on the skill of your occupation).
- No proof of settlement funds are required if you’re already working in Canada.
- And more.
4. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is unique from other kinds of express entry as it is managed by each province and not through the federal government. PNP allows provinces and territories to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada and who are interested in settling in a particular province. Normally, provinces make decisions about nominations based on their own specific economic and demographic needs.
For example, British Columbia has its own PNP points system and draws. If nominated by a province, you can gain an extra 600 CRS points. This can be extremely beneficial for your application for permanent residency, as it can increase the chances of you receiving an ITA.
A successful applicant to a PNP will be nominated by the province to apply for permanent residency. They will receive a Provincial Nomination certificate. They must then apply federally through an express entry stream and present their certificate.
At Border Solutions Law Group, our Vancouver immigration lawyers can assist individuals interested in applying to British Columbia’s PNP program. If you have questions about your eligibility or the application process, don’t hesitate to speak with our team today.
Do I Need an LMIA for Express Entry Pathways?
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that employers in Canada sometimes need to obtain before they hire foreign workers. A positive LMIA is usually meant to show that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the position and that a Canadian or permanent resident is not available to do the job.
An LMIA is not mandatory for most express entry applicants. From Spring 2025 onwards, additional CRS points for LMIA-based job offers will no longer be applied. Many successful applicants to express entry streams do not have Canadian job offers or LMIA approval. You can rely on language, education, and experience factors to attain a competitive CRS score.
How Can Our Vancouver Immigration Lawyers Help With Your Express Entry Application?
Applying for permanent residency through an express entry pathway can be complicated. Minor errors or missing documents can result in delays or refusals that take time to rectify.
Here’s how our Vancouver immigration lawyers at Border Solutions Law Group add value to your application process:
- Initial Assessment & Strategy: We will help you determine which express entry program (FSW, FST, CEC, PNP) suits your circumstances best. Once we do this, we can identify any potential weaknesses in your application and propose solutions. For example, if you have low language scores or missing credentials, we can help you schedule new language tests or help you obtain a provincial nomination.
- Profile Creation & Strategic CRS: Our lawyers will help you gather accurate information to fill out your express entry profile that gets submitted into the pool. We can also offer strategic advice to help you improve your CRS. For example, it may be possible for you to upgrade your language scores or receive an LMIA-exempt job offer.
- Document Preparation & Accuracy: We’ll make sure your education documents, police certificates, reference letters, proof of funds, and more are aligned with the IRCC’s requirements. In addition, we will ensure that you maintain consistency between your express entry profile and final application documents to avoid any misrepresentation issues.
- Handling Complex Situations: We assist clients who have prior refusals or inadmissibility issues. If IRCC requests additional evidence or sends you a procedural fairness letter, we can help you respond with confidence.
- Bridging Open Work Permits & Ongoing Status: We will help you secure bridging open work permits if your current status is expiring while your PR application is still being processed. This can help you prevent gaps in work authorization and stay on your feet financially while awaiting a decision.
- Navigating Policy Shifts: Immigration rules in Canada can change unexpectedly. Our lawyers keep up to date on current policies, from new occupation-targeted draws to revised PNP criteria.
Contact Our Vancouver Immigration Lawyers About Express Entry Today
Express entry is a complex, multi-step process that requires thorough preparation and attention to detail. Although it can be a great pathway to Canadian permanent residency, it’s important that you understand the process before you get started. No matter which stream you’re planning to apply through, our Vancouver immigration lawyers at Border Solutions Law Group are ready to help.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward Canadian permanent residence, contact our team to schedule a consultation today. You can call our Vancouver office toll-free at 877-341-6761, or fill out our online contact form.