5 Misconceptions Debunked! Express Entry Immigration Program

3 minute read

"The Express Entry System was developed by the Canadian government to help make it easier for applicants seeking entry as a permanent resident into the country. However, despite good intentions, the Express Entry System has also created misinformation that complicates the process for those who aren’t well versed in immigration law. "

Written by My Visa Source Team
Updated on: Feb 23, 2021

The Express Entry System was developed by the Canadian government to help make it easier for applicants seeking entry as a permanent resident into the country. However, despite good intentions, the Express Entry System has also indirectly created misinformation that complicates the process for those who aren’t well versed in immigration law.

The following five misconceptions are among the most common for people who are in the middle of dealing with the Express Entry System.

1. Express Entry is a Path to Citizenship

Although at first glance it may seem like Express Entry is a path to permanent residency, this program is actually an application management system dedicated to expediting the process of finding and welcoming skilled foreign workers and other foreign nationals who look to contribute to the Canadian economy.

This management system links with different pathways to permanent residency with these three programs: Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and Canadian Experience Class.

After an applicant fills out an Express Entry profile that includes education, experience, skills, language and other pertinent details, they are ranked according to how well they match up against overall requirements and the scores of others who wish to enter Canada.

Those with the highest score may receive an invitation to apply to one of the immigration programs offered in Canada. An invitation gives you a 60-day window to apply for permanent residence according to specific, agreed-upon conditions.

2. Express Entry is Strictly Federal

Although the Express Entry System is linked to the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada ("IRCC", formerly the "CIC") and federal skilled worker programs, provinces also access the pool of applicants when attempting to draw skilled workers and business investment to their territories.

Often, provincial immigration programs are tailored to attract those who benefit the province the most. Depending on local labour requirements and the needs of the provinces, it’s a good idea to look over these programs in case any specifically match your skills and profiles.

In fact, the Canadian government also invites businesses to reach out and offer arranged employment to those who meet the requirements of their organization. In order to do so, they must provide a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA, formerly a "LMO") that’s approved by Employment and Social Development Canada.

3. All Skilled Workers are Welcome

Considering the fact that there is a multitude of different types of skilled labourers in the market, those who apply to the Express Entry program may assume that their set of skills will be desirable to businesses, the federal and provincial governments. However, not all skills are considered equal in the application process.

Legislation that reduces the amount of Canadian jobs taken by newcomers can limit the type of applicant that will be accepted into the system, while individual businesses have to prove that their needs can’t be met due to labour market conditions

For this reason, when filling out your profile, it’s always a good idea to list all the pertinent skills and experience that you’ve gathered to make sure that you aren’t being passed over when the labor assessment takes place.

4. The Ranking System Only Rewards Wealth

While there are a number of federal and provincial business programs that require an investment of funds as part of the application process, these are limited only to entry streams, such as investor or business development programs, that invite newcomers interested in the mutual benefit of creating a business in a specific province or an important industry.

The main calculations for your score when it comes to the Express Entry program are mostly language, education and experience-based. The more proof that you provide in terms of your skills and abilities, the more likely you are to receive a favourable score, regardless of your financial status.

5. Express Entry Increases Your Chances of Citizenship

The main benefit of applying through the Express Entry program revolves around the speed of which your initial application is processed, as well as the fact that individual residency streams will be matched up with your abilities.

Use of Express Entry doesn’t specifically increase your chances of obtaining status as a permanent resident. In short, your credentials will not appear to be better or more impressive if you apply online.

In fact, the best thing to do when using Express Entry is to perform a bit of research into eligible programs. On their website, the IRCC mentions that since January 1, 2015, many provinces and territories have launched new Express Entry enhanced PNP streams. You should focus on tailoring your application to the latest new and requirements listed for these streams, which will actually increase your chances of being accepted.