Key points for Express Entry

More details have been released regarding how Canada’s new Express Entry system will work.

Although the government has announced that a total of 1,200 points will be allotted through a points test under the new system, there will be no minimum points level required to qualify. Instead, the highest-ranking candidates will be invited to apply for permanent residency.

Applicants will be awarded points on a variety of different factors. For example, A maximum of 600 points will be given to those who receive a permanent job offer from a Canadian employer or who have been nominated for immigration by a province or territorial government, while up to 500 points will be allotted for a combination of age, education level, language proficiency and work experience in Canada factors. An additional maximum of 100 points will be allotted for a combination of education level, foreign work experience and a certificate in the trades.

In the age category, applicants aged 17 or under and those aged over 45 will score no points, with the maximum points being allotted to those in the 20-29 age bracket. In terms of education, the points range from 30 (or 28 if applying alongside a common law partner or spouse) for an applicant holding a typical secondary school qualification to 150 for those with a university-level credential at the doctoral level (140 for those applying alongside a partner).

It has been announced, however, that those with job offers or nominations from provincial and territorial governments will be selected to apply for immigration first, regardless of their overall points score.

It is believed that approximately 65,000 to 75,000 skilled workers will be offered permanent residency through the Express Entry system in 2015 through one of three categories:

– 47,000 to 51,000 will come through the federal skilled worker class and the federal skilled trades class combined.

– 21,000 to 23,000 skilled workers will enter through the Canadian Experience Class.

– 46,000 to 48,000 skilled workers will receive permanent residency through the Provincial Nominee Programme.

Article published 4th December 2014