Canada Express Entry

Canada Express Entry is a fair, point-based online system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to identify and select skilled individuals who can contribute to the country’s economy. As the government department in charge of immigration, refugee protection, and citizenship, IRCC manages the Express Entry process, from evaluating applications to granting permanent residency to eligible candidates. It is one of the fastest and most straightforward immigration pathways for skilled workers.

Canada offers three different economic immigration programs under the Express Entry system. You can apply for Permanent Residency(PR) through one of the following pathways:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): Designed for nationals with skilled work experience outside Canada who meet specific eligibility criteria.

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For candidates qualified in a skilled trade who wish to settle in Canada permanently.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For individuals with skilled work experience gained within Canada, including experience earned through a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP).

Before applying for Permanent Residence (PR), you will be assessed on several eligibility factors. To qualify, you must score at least 67 out of 100 points based on the following six factors:

• Language Proficiency – up to 28 points
• Education – up to 25 points
• Work Experience – up to 15 points
• Age – up to 12 points
• Arranged Employment in Canada – up to 10 points
• Adaptability – up to 10 points

If you meet or exceed the 67-point mark, you can proceed to create an Express Entry profile.

The requirements for the Express Entry Canada are as follows:

Passport:
You must have a valid passport to apply from the UAE.

Eligibility Score:
 You should at least score a minimum of 67 out of 100 points based on age, education, work experience, language, adaptability, and job offers.

Language Test:
 For English: IELTS (International English Language Testing System) General or
CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) General.
For French: TEF (Test d’évaluation de français) or TCF (Test de connaissance du français).  You must achieve the minimum required score in each language skill, but the exact score depends on the specific Express Entry program you apply through. Each of the three programs has different language requirements for both English and French.

Education:
 You must have a minimum High school diploma and must produce an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report for all foreign degrees. This report confirms that your education is equivalent to a Canadian credential.

Work Experience:
Proof of work experience, at least 1 year of full-time, skilled work (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3), within the last 10 years.

Proof of Funds:
The amount you need to show depends on the size of your family. For example, a single applicant must show around CAD 14,700.

Job Offer Letter:
If you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or can legally work in Canada, you might not need to meet the Proof of Fund requirement.

Police Clearance Certificate:
A valid Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is required to confirm your good conduct for Canada Express Entry.

To apply for Permanent Residency in Canada:

• Start by checking if you are eligible for one of the three programs under the Express Entry Pathway.
• Once you are eligible, take an approved English or French Language Test.
• If your education was completed outside of Canada, you will have to provide an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report to prove its equivalency.
• After that, you can create your Express Entry profile on the official IRCC website by entering your details.
• After submitting your profile, you will receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score which determines your rank in the Express Entry Pool.
• Candidates who meet the selection criteria of the draw and have the highest scores are selected through regular draws conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you will have 60 days to submit your PR application.
• Once your application is submitted, IRCC will check to ensure it is complete, the processing fee is paid, all requirements are met, and all necessary documents are included.
• The decision on your PR application will be notified through your IRCC secure account.
• If your application is rejected or refused, you need to submit a new Express Entry profile and re-enter the candidate pool to be considered in future invitation rounds.

To create a profile for Canada Express Entry from Dubai, you must first:

• Gather all the necessary documents.
• Create an IRCC Secure Account (GCKey).
• Determine which province or territory aligns with your skills and preferences.
• Enter details such as your full name, date of birth, nationality, and current address and double check all information matches your official documents.
• Add your contact information.
• Enter your language test results; also ensure it is valid for at least a year, as the entire process from profile submission to permanent residency can take up to 12 months.
• Enter your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) details, to verify equivalency to Canadian standards. This is mandatory for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and beneficial for other programs.
• Identify your National Occupation Classification (NOC) and make sure that your experience falls under TEER levels 0, 1, 2, or 3.
• Add your work experience. Detail your work experience, including job titles, duties, and durations.
• You can complete the application details at any time, as your progress will be saved in your account.
• After completing all sections, review and submit your Canada Express Entry profile.
• Once your profile is submitted, IRCC will assess your eligibility. Your profile will be ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which considers factors like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. This will determine which immigration program(s) you may qualify for.
• If your profile meets the criteria, you will be placed in the candidate pool for Express Entry Canada Draw and possibly receive an Invitation To Apply (ITA) once you meet the selection criteria of the draw.
• Canada Express Entry Draw are regularly conducted, and candidates who meet the selection criteria and have the highest CRS scores receive ITA’s. If invited, you have 60 days to submit a complete application for Canada Permanent Residency.

In most cases, a Permanent Residency application is processed by IRCC within just six months after submission. With a strong CRS score based on your profile, you could receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) sooner by ensuring that all your documents are complete and accurate, you can move through the process smoothly.

The application fee for Canadian Permanent Residency through Express Entry is CAD 1,525 for the principal applicant. If you are applying with family members, the fee for a spouse is also CAD 1,525, and for each dependent child, it is CAD 260. The biometric fee for applicants’ and their spouses is CAD 85, but children are exempt from this fee. These fees must be paid at the time of submitting your PR application.

If you are applying from the UAE and would like expert guidance, the team at CanApprove is here to support you every step of the way and help turn your Canadian immigration goals into reality.

• Proof of Funds for Canada Express Entry is to show that you have enough financial resources to support yourself and your family if they are accompanying you when you are moving to Canada.
• This is a mandatory requirement if you are applying through the Federal Skilled Worker Program(FSWP) or the Federal Skilled Trades Program(FSTP).
• However, you do not need to provide proof of funds if you are applying under the Canadian Experience Class(CEC) or if you have a valid work authorization in Canada.
• To meet the Proof of Fund requirement,
  • You must submit official letters from your bank or financial institution confirming the availability and legal accessibility of the funds.
  • These letters must include your name, account numbers, current balances, average balances over the past six months, and any outstanding debts, all printed on the institution’s official letterhead.
  • The funds must be available both when you apply and when you receive your permanent resident visa.
  • You cannot use borrowed money or real estate equity.
  • If your spouse is accompanying you, funds in a joint account or solely under your spouse’s name may be counted, provided you show access to them.
• If you have more funds than the minimum required, declare the full amount in your profile.
• The required amount depends on your family size. For example, a single applicant must show a minimum of CAD 14,690.
  

  Number of Family Members	Funds required in CAD (as of June 3, 2025)
  1	$14,690
  2	$18,288
  3	$22,483
  4	$27,297
  5	$30,690
  6	$34,917
  7	$38,875
  For more than 7 members, for each additional person	$3,958