Stages of express entry

With this post, we would like to educate folks on the various stages of the Canadian express entry program. This can help you prepare effectively.  

How do I express interest to the Canadian authorities for this program?

This is the stage where you create the express entry profile and submit it. It is known as the Expression of interest (EOI) stage. This requires you to give the language tests (like IELTS), evaluate your education as per Canadian standards (i.e. WES) and fill out the other details. Once you submit the application then you are in the pool. Check out tips for expressing your interest. What can you do while you are awaiting ITA? - Check this out.

How will my application be evaluated?

Your profile will remain in the pool for a year. Your application will be evaluated based on your CRS score. Express entry draws are typically held every 15 days. Check out the official website for the announcement of the latest draw. There is a cut-off date & time. Candidates above that cut-off score will be invited.  Tie-breakers are resolved with the cut-off date & time.

How will I get the invite & what happens next?

This is known as the Invitation to apply (ITA) stage. When you receive the invitation to apply, you would get an email on the address specified. After you get this notification, you would have to gather your documents and upload it. You will have to submit it with a stipulated time, that is specified in the letter (Now 60 days).

• Police Clearance Certificates
• Proof of Work
• Proof of funds OR job offer from Canadian employer
• Medical tests for your family
• In addition, you would have to provide the following information -
• Activity information
• Address history
• Travel history
• Affidavit (If you have different name formats on different documents)
• Letter of explanation (If you have to explain different pieces of your application)
• Here are some tips when you prepare the attachments to upload.

What happens after I have finally submitted my application?

This is known as Acknowledgement of Receipt (AoR) stage. After you have submitted the documents, you would get a receipt of acceptance. At this point, the visa officers would start the evaluation of the application.

• Medical Exam Passed (MEP) - The results of your medical exam would be reviewed. Typically you would get a notification.
• Police clearance certificate - This is validated early on. If the police clearance certificates are not accepted then you would have to apply again. You don't receive the notification for this.
• You may or may not get any notifications while the rest of the reviews are in progress.
• If the officers need any information from you, the officers will contact you thru messages in your profile. You might get a notification via email. So keep regularly checking both so that you don't miss any communication.

How will the final decision be communicated to me?

This is one of the significant milestones of your journey.  This is what you have been waiying for! It is aldo known as the Golden email (PPR). If you pass all the reviews, you would get the email requesting your photographs and passports. Passports will be needed if you are a citizen of a country that needs a visa to travel to Canada. The  email would be from IRCC. The domain is cic.gc.ca. After you send your photographs and / or passports (i.e. everyone in your application) to the address stated in the email, the visa officer would send you document(s) and/or stamp your passport(s) and resend it to you.

What will you get from CIC for you to be able to land in Canada?

This is also known as the Confirmation of permanent residence (CoPR) document. You would get a "one-time" entry stamp on the passport(s). It would also have a expiry date. You and your family have until that date to enter Canada. Along with the passport(s), you also get the "confirmation of permanent residence" paper for every member in the application with the expiry date. You need to keep those papers very carefully as they are needed for crossing. Once you receive the CoPR and / or the stamped passport(s), you are all set to land in Canada!

How long with the express entry process take?

The official time frame for the express entry process is 6 months. However, it can get done much faster. Our personal case took less than 3 months. But every case is different.

Hope this gives you a good idea of what to expect. Good luck with your application!

Next steps -

1. Get started with express entry today! 

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