Got this from a little digging around and reading ...Links below:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/index.asp
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/perm/econ/fsw/index.asp?v=post
Intake
• Electronic application for permanent residence - Done by the applicant
• Completeness check – Done by CIO
The Express Entry six-month processing standard begins when an application is assessed as complete and is promoted (transferred to processing office) in the Global Case Management System (GCMS). It ends when Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) makes a final decision on the application.
Processing
• Assessing an e-application on A11.2 – Done by processing office
Under section A11.2, an officer may not issue a visa to an applicant who did not or does not meet the Express Entry minimum entry criteria (MEC) or did not or does not possess the qualifications for which they received their CRS score at the time when
• the Invitation to Apply (ITA) was issued; or
• the e-APR was received by IRCC.
• When reviewing an application, processing offices must determine if
• the applicant possesses the qualifications that they declared in their e-APR, as corroborated by the applicant’s supporting documentation; and
• when the applicant submits their e-APR, the information provided in their Express Entry profile has not materially changed to the degree that the applicant would not have been issued an ITA in that round of invitations.
• Accordingly, officers should refuse an application under section A11.2 if it is determined that
• at the time of the ITA or e-APR, the applicant did not or does not meet the MEC, which includes the requirements of the program to which they were invited to apply; or
• the applicant’s recalculated CRS score has fallen below that of the lowest-ranked candidate invited to apply in that round of invitations.
• Note: At time of APR, PNP Express Entry applicants must demonstrate they meet the PNP program requirements and, for A11.2 assessment, that they meet the program requirements of one federal immigration program (FSWP or CEC or FSTP).
• Processing offices must enter a decision on section A11.2 in the Global Case Management System (GCMS) before an application can be finalized. All applications must be processed in the Express Entry eligibility screen.
• See below for instructions on how to assess a change in circumstance that is declared after an e-APR has been submitted.
• When an application is refused under section A11.2, the officer should also assess if the application can be refused for failing to meet federal program requirements. When applications are refused, all applicable grounds should be invoked. Officers should also consider a finding of misrepresentation, where applicable.
• Assessing against minimum requirements - Done by CIO
The Express Entry system or the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) will determine if the applicant meets the minimum requirements to submit an application as a skilled worker.
• Note: Substituted evaluation cannot be used by the CIO to overcome an applicant’s failure to meet the minimum requirements.
• Minimum work experience requirement
• Minimum language proficiency requirement (applications received on or after May 4, 2013)
• Minimum education requirement (applications received on or after May 4, 2013)
• Minimum requirements and Ministerial Instructions: MI12 (applications received between May 1, 2014, and December 31, 2014)
• Assessing against the selection criteria - Done by CIO
To determine whether a skilled worker, as a member of the federal skilled worker class, has the ability to become economically established in Canada, applicants are assessed against the selection criteria in paragraph 76(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
• Based on the information and documents provided in the application, points will be awarded to the applicant for each of the following six selection factors:
• Education
• Official language proficiency
• Work experience
• Age
• Arranged employment
• Adaptability
• If the applicant’s total score is equal to or greater than the pass mark set by the Minister, and the applicant passes the A11.2 assessment (if the applicant applied under Express Entry on or after January 1, 2015), the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) will forward the entire application, including the result of their initial assessment against the selection criteria, to the office identified by the applicant for processing for a final decision.
• If the applicant’s total score is less than the pass mark set by the Minister and/or the applicant does not pass the A11.2 assessment (if the applicant applied under Express Entry on or after January 1, 2015), the CIO will make a negative selection decision, record the outcome and reasons in GCMS, and send a letter to inform the applicant that their application has been refused.
• Making the selection decision - Done by processing office
Subsection 76(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations states that the Minister shall fix and make available to the public the minimum number of points required of a skilled worker (commonly known as the “pass mark”).
• The pass mark is 67 points.
• Officers will make a final selection decision for applications that are assessed by the Express Entry system or the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) as meeting the pass mark set by the Minister. The visa office will review the application in detail, along with the case analysis provided by the CIO (if applicable), and will make the final selection decision based on the total points earned by the applicant for the selection factors.
• If the applicant’s total score is equal to or greater than the pass mark set by the Minister, the officer will make a positive selection decision, and proceed to determining admissibility.
• If the applicant’s total score is less than the pass mark set by the Minister, the officer will make a negative selection decision, record the outcome and reasons in GCMS, and send a letter to inform the applicant that their application has been refused for insufficient points.
• Note: Officers may choose to exercise their authority for substituted evaluation in respect of the points assessment and the final selection decision (see the Substituted evaluation section below).
• In addition to the selection criteria set forth in subsection R76(1), the applicant must also have sufficient funds available to support their settlement in Canada, pursuant to subparagraph R76(1)(b)(i).
• Pursuant to subparagraph R76(1)(b)(ii), applicants are not required to have settlement funds if the applicant is authorized to work in Canada and has been awarded points for a qualifying offer of arranged employment under Express Entry or for arranged employment in Canada, as defined in subsection R82(1), under paragraph R82(2)(a), (b) or (d).
• The funds must be
• available and transferable;
• unencumbered by debts or other obligations; and
• sufficient to support initial establishment in Canada.
• Sufficient funds are determined according to the applicant’s family size (including both accompanying and non-accompanying dependants), using 50% of the current low income cutoff (LICO) for urban areas with populations of 500 000 or more.
• If the applicant is unable to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to meet the requirements, the application is refused.
• Pursuant to section R77, the requirement and criteria for settlement funds must be met at the time the application is made as well as when the permanent resident visa is issued. (Hence the processing office may ask for updated POF)
• Admissibility and making a final decision - Done by processing office
Once the processing office has determined that an applicant is a member of the Federal Skilled Worker Class pursuant to R75, the principal applicant and their family members, whether accompanying or not, must complete medical examinations if required, and pass criminal and security checks. (BG Checks, PCC – Done by CSIS and 3rd party)
I hope this helps to shed light on the process and keep your minds occupied while we all wait...
;D