Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.

Loading...

How to Create an Express Entry Profile

Updated: July 7th, 2023


Canada, the land of the maple leaf, is known for its welcoming stance towards immigrants. Its Express Entry System is a testament to this openness. This system is an innovative, fast, and efficient immigration program designed to select skilled workers for immigration to Canada. It's a points-based system that ranks prospective immigrants based on their skills, work experience, language proficiency, and other factors.

Now that you have your Express Entry eligibility status, it's time to create your Express Entry profile! This often seems more complicated than it is, but with the complete step-by-step guide to the Express Entry application process, your profile will be waiting to be selected in no time. It's a lot simpler than you think.

How does Canada Express Entry Work

The Express Entry system is not just a pathway to permanent residence in Canada; it's a way to contribute to Canada's growing economy and multicultural society. It's about finding the right people to help build a stronger Canada.

Canada Express Entry is an online system used by the federal government to manage applications for permanent residence from skilled workers. Launched in 2015, the system was designed to fast-track the immigration process, making it easier and quicker for talented workers worldwide to move to Canada.

The Canada Express Entry process begins with potential immigrants creating an online profile detailing their skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other details contributing to their employability. Once the profile is completed, it is entered into a pool of candidates. The Canadian government then uses a points-based system, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), to assess and score profiles in the pool.

Candidates are awarded points for factors such as age, education, language proficiency in English or French, and work experience. Additional points can be earned for factors such as a job offer in Canada or a Canadian province or territory nomination. Candidates with the highest scores are then invited to apply for permanent residence through regular draws from the pool.

The Canada Express Entry system is not an immigration program but an administrative tool to manage applications for three economic immigration programs: 

  1. Federal Skilled Worker Program,
  2. Federal Skilled Trades Program, and
  3. Canadian Experience Class

It should be noted that receiving an invitation to apply does not guarantee approval for permanent residence; candidates must meet eligibility and admissibility requirements of the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

How To Create Express Entry Profile

How To Create Express Entry Profile

The journey to create your express entry profile starts with understanding the system. It's not just about filling in the blanks but understanding what each element means and how they can enhance your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

Creating an Express Entry profile is essential in your quest to immigrate to Canada. It's like your resume that showcases your skills, experience, and background to the Canadian immigration authorities. As you create your Express Entry profile, you put your best foot forward, presenting your case as a valuable addition to the Canadian workforce and society.

Remember, though, that while creating your express entry profile is crucial, it's only the first step. You must also meet specific criteria and follow certain procedures to ensure your profile is selected in the Express Entry draw pool.

Step 1: Ensure Your Eligibility

You must ensure eligibility Before entering the express entry pool. Eligibility for the Express Entry system depends on several factors, including your skills, work experience, language ability, and education.

The Express Entry system is designed for skilled workers. As such, one of the primary requirements is to have at least one year of continuous, full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in a skilled occupation. This experience must be within the last ten years.

Moreover, you must prove your language proficiency in either English or French. This requires taking a language test approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and meeting the minimum score.

Education is another critical requirement. Although having a Canadian degree, diploma, or certificate can give you extra points, foreign education can also be recognized, given that an approved agency evaluates it.

Your CRS score is crucial to your Express Entry profile. It's a points-based system that assesses your profile based on several factors, including your skills, education, language proficiency, work experience, and other variables. The higher your CRS score, the better your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

Remember, the Express Entry system is competitive. Your CRS score essentially determines your rank in the Express Entry pool. The higher your score, the more likely you will be invited to apply.

A CRS calculator is invaluable for estimating your CRS score. It helps you understand where you stand in the Express Entry pool and how to improve your score.

It's essential to be accurate and honest when using the CRS calculator. Overestimating your skills or experience won't do you any good, as your information will be verified during the application process.

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

Gather Your Documents

Before completing your Express Entry profile, gathering all the supporting documents containing the information needed to complete your Express Entry profile is a good idea. This is to ensure that there are no discrepancies in your application. Any mistakes made could lead to a delay in your visa processing or even a denied visa. The documents you need for an Express Entry profile are as follows:

  • a passport or travel document;
  • language test results;
  • proof of Canadian education or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA);
  • Provincial Nomination (PN) if applicable;
  • written job offer from an employer in Canada, if applicable; and
  • proof of funds to settle in Canada.

It also helps to have all your documents prepared because once you create your Express Entry profile, you will have 60 days to complete and submit it, and the last thing that you want is to be still searching for documents containing information needed to complete your profile and miss the deadline because of it.

Step 3: Create your Express Entry Profile

Now that you have all your information at hand, you can confidently go ahead with completing your Express Entry application. But first, you need to register for your IRCC secure Express Entry account. You will have two options: register with a GCKey by creating a username and password or register with a sign-in partner using your online Canadian banking information. Once you’ve submitted your profile, the IRCC will determine which Express Entry program you are eligible for. You will need the following documents to complete your profile.

You will also need your National Occupation Classification (NOC) code to complete the online form. Creating your express entry profile is like crafting a strategic resume. Be thorough, accurate, and honest. Highlight your strengths and showcase your potential as a valuable addition to Canada's workforce and society.

When you've completed your profile, you'll get an Express Entry login, which you can use to check your profile status and make any necessary updates.

Step 4: Submit Your Profile and Enter the Draw Pool

Once your profile is complete, you can submit it and enter the draw pool. This is where your profile is ranked against others based on your CRS score. The highest-ranking profiles are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular draws.

Remember, your Express Entry profile remains active in the pool for one year. You can create and submit a new profile if you're not invited to apply within this period.

In the meantime, you could apply for your police certificates, which could take quite a while. If there are opportunities to improve your CRS score, do it. You could improve your language test results, complete a higher-level education, gain more work experience, or get a job offer in Canada. The higher your CRS score, the higher your chances of getting your ITA! Learn how to improve your CRS score.

Creating your express entry profile is essential in your journey to immigrate to Canada. It's your opportunity to showcase your skills, experience, and potential to the Canadian immigration authorities. Remember, the Express Entry system is competitive, and your profile is your ticket to stand out in the pool of candidates.

Master the process, understand the requirements, optimize your CRS score, gather your documents, create a compelling Express Entry profile, and submit it. Remember, the key to success in the Express Entry system is preparation, accuracy, and perseverance.

FAQs

FAQs

Can I Update my Express Entry Profile After Submission?

Yes, if anything changes regarding any information used to create your profile, make sure that you update your profile. This includes:

  • Starting a new career;
  • Gain or lose a job offer;
  • Get a new language test;
  • Get married or divorced; or
  • Have or adopt a new child.

What Happens if I Lie on my Express Entry Profile? 

Providing false information or misrepresenting facts on your Express Entry profile is considered fraud and can lead to severe consequences, including permanent disqualification from the Express Entry system.

If you don’t keep your Express Entry profile updated and receive an ITA based on false information or missing details, you could stand to have your application refused or be found inadmissible and possibly barred from coming to Canada for five years.

Want to learn more about Canada? Subscribe to our newsletter and get an e-book on Canadian immigration filled with mesmerizing sights of Canada!

Please enter a valid phone number.

CanadianVisa.org is a private recognized immigration agent and is not affiliated with the Canadian Government.
Privacy policy