Express Entry Visa in Canada
A lot has been said and written about Canada, and its popular immigration system, Express Entry. If you are one of the thousands candidates who want to apply for the Express Entry Visa in Canada, then certainly the article will help you.
The electronic system has been developed on a similar model currently in use in Australia and New Zealand and even before the system completed one year IRCC has made many changes to it.
Express Entry Visa in Canada
Last year, the Liberal Government came into power, and John McCallum was appointed as the new Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) minister, and soon after he announced numerous changes to the popular immigration system.
The changes brought on Nov 19, 2016 allegedly aim to develop more responsive immigration system that will address the ongoing skill shortage and long term economic growth, especially for the middle class.
Key Changes
Qualifying job offer points reduced
Earlier, candidates with the qualifying job offer by Canadian employers were awarded 600 CRS points supported by the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The IRCC has lowered the points and they are as follow:-
- Candidates with the qualifying job offer at a designation of executive or senior managerial position (NOC 00) will be awarded 200 points.
- With a qualifying job offer in a NOC O, A or B occupation will be awarded 50 points.
The qualifying job offer needs to be of one year from the date you have become a permanent resident.
Canadian qualification will fetch you more points
Under the old system, significant points were given to the candidates with high degree, but under the new system more points will be awarded to candidates with the Canadian degree/qualification and the score break up is as follow:-
- For a one or two year diploma or certificate, candidates can earn 15 points.
- For three years or more, diploma or a certificate, Master’s degree, professional or else a doctoral degree for a minimum one year academic year can earn 30 points.
The good news: you will get more time to complete the PR Visa formalities once you have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA). The duration has been extended from 60 to 90 days.
On the new amendments, McCallum opines that these will certainly minimize the importance of Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for the applicants with high skills.
Skilled workers already in the country on a temporary LMIA – exempt Work Permit and who intend to stay here permanently will no longer require a LMIA to get points for the qualifying job offer in the Canada Express Entry.
The condition includes those trained workers as well who have been working in the country under the North American Free Trade Agreement and temporary residents under the intra company transfer. To apply, candidates must have been working the country for at least one year.
