Canada's Express Entry Immigration Selection System: Information for Employers

Express Entry is a selection system for Canadian immigration, which strives to make the process simpler and quicker for Canadian employers to hire skilled workers.

The Government of Canada has responded to the needs of the Canadian labour market and given Canadian employers the tools they need to get the skilled workers they want.

The Cohen Immigration Law can help you and your business seize the opportunity provided to Canadian employers under the Express Entry system.

The Two-Step Express Entry Process

Step 1: Potential candidates make an expression of interest in immigrating to Canada

Candidates for Canadian permanent residence from around the world make an expression of interest in immigrating to Canada by creating an online profile. They provide information about their skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other personal information. If a candidate does not already have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or a provincial nomination, he or she may register with Canada's Job Bank, which will connect him or her with Canadian employers. Eligible candidates may enter the Express Entry pool.

Step 2: The government selects candidates from the Express Entry pool

Canadian employers are able to browse the profiles of potential candidates, each of whom has been pre-screened by the government in terms of their eligibility for Canadian immigration. Employers can link with candidates and offer them a qualifying job offer. Candidates who receive such an offer are awarded additional points, increasing their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence. If a candidate receives an ITA, he or she will then have 90 days to submit an electronic application for permanent residence. The government of Canada aims to process applications within six months of the date of submission.

Candidates must ensure that they complete all necessary forms and submit all supporting documents within this timeframe. On completion of the process, successful candidates and their dependents (spouse or common-law partner and children) will land in Canada as permanent residents.

The profiles of candidates in the pool will be up to date, as each profile exists for only 12 months. Each candidate is a skilled worker who has gone through the effort to express an interest in immigrating to Canada.