Canada has become one of the most desired destinations in the world to immigrate to and one of the most popular immigration systems is the Express Entry. This economic immigration system allows foreign nationals to move to Canada in as short a time as six months!
However, there are still some myths going around regarding the Express Entry system and we’re here to debunk them! So let’s dive right in.
Myth #1: Anyone can enter the Express Entry pool
This is not true. The express entry system is designed to help Canada meet its labour market needs and therefore applicants must first meet the eligibility requirements of one of the three federal economic programs: Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trade, and Canadian Experience Class. The requirements differ for each program so be sure to check out which one you qualify for prior to entering the Express Entry pool. If you need help with this step, send us a message here.
Myth #2: You must have a job offer to qualify
Contrary to what you may have heard, you can qualify without having a job offer. However, a job offer can may your profile more appealing and get you additional 50 to 200 points on the CRS depending on the NOC level 0, A, B, C, or D. The job offer must be for full-time work; a part-time job offer will not count.
Myth #3: You don’t need to pass a language test to enter the EE pool
Actually, even if you are from an English speaking country, you are required to take one of the standardized tests, such as the IELTS General or TEF General in order to be eligible under Express Entry. The score you require will depend on the federal economic program you are applying under.
For instance, under federal skilled worker program you need to achieve a CLB 7, whereas under federal skilled trades program you only need a CLB 5.
Myth #4: You can only immigrate through EE as an economic immigrant
While the EE system covers majority of the economic immigration programs, there is also the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) that selects candidates from the pool to find suitable people who many not qualify under one of the three federal programs.
Myth #5: You cannot update your EE profile once it’s been created
One of the great things about the Express Entry system is its flexibility. The EE allows applicants to update their information even after being entered into the pool. They can make changes to their profile, such as their marital status, passport number, as well as their language test results. This way, while you are in the pool you can always try to attain a higher score than when you first created your profile.
We hope these busted some of the myths that may have been floating around. If you have any other doubts or would like more clarification, send us a message and we’ll make sure your questions are answered!
To check if you qualify under one of the EE economic programs, fill out our General Assessment form and we’ll get back to you with our feedback.