HOW TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE THROUGH EXPRESS ENTRY.
After submitting your profile, the system will place you in a pool. If you are selected based on your ranking, you will receive an invitation for Express Entry through your account. This invitation is only valid for a limited time (60 days), and it is critical to have all documentation required ready to avoid delays and possible expiration of the invitation.To find out more, call our immigration consultant in Toronto.
GETTING STARTED WITH THE APPLICATION
Ideally, during the period your profile is in the pool, work on preparing and having documents ready to complete the invitation within the 60 days. The online form to apply is found through your account.
When completing the form, it is essential to make sure all information is accurate, truthful, and contains all the required information. The form cannot be submitted if fields that are mandatory to complete are not filled in.
The form can be saved if needed, allowing the applicant to continue on, make changes, or to review the information before the final submission.
WHAT YOU NEED
Documents and information that is not in written English or French must be translated by a certified translator, and his or her registration number or stamp or certification must be on the form. The translator, if not certified, can provide a written affidavit or the authenticity of the translation. The uploaded version should be a certified photocopy of the original.
Be sure all documents are valid and current, including passports, educational certifications, and language test results. If any information will expire within six months of the application date, be sure to new the documentation and update your profile.
Check all documents and make sure they are available in an acceptable format. In most cases, documents can be scanned using a computer, or a camera can be used to take photos for submission.
MAKING CHANGES OR REVISIONS AFTER SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION
There are several reasons why an individual may need to revise their application during the process. This can occur if your contact information changes, if there are changes to your family such as marriages, divorces, births or deaths, or if you have changes in your employment, language tests, or your educational status.
PAYMENT FOR EXPRESS ENTRY
At the time of completion and submission of the application, the applicant will be prompted to provide the fees for processing, permanent resident fee, and a biometrics fee. This can be paid using a credit or debit card. If the application is not complete, all fees, except the processing fee, will be refunded to the payment method. These fees are required for all individuals on the application.
Biometric fees are used to cover the cost of creating a permanent resident card. This includes fingerprints and digital photos, and this process can be completed after you receive a letter of confirmation. The process of fingerprinting and photographing can be done at a specified Service Canada location. These locations are both in Canada as well as in other countries.
All information about your application, including the status, is available through your online account. This can also include requests for additional documentation or to schedule an interview, so it is important to respond to any messages. The final decision on your application will be provided through your account.
The next steps in the process will be provided with the acceptance notification. It is critical to complete all steps within the timelines provided. Most applications are processed for Express Entry within six months of the completed application being received.
APPLICATION DENIALS OR REJECTIONS
In the event the application is rejected or refused, the applicant may be eligible for application in the future. This requires the entire process to be repeated, including creating an Express Entry profile, ensuring all criteria are met, and gaining acceptance into the pool.
TIPS FOR PREPARING FOR THE PROFILE
After entering your application, take the time to get all the information required to complete your invitation to apply for permanent residency. There is a 60 day time period to provide all required documentation from the date of the invitation.
Information that you will require includes:
Police certificates – this must be provided for all family members over the age of 18
Language tests – language test must be within 2 years of the date of the testing, and they must be valid at the time of submission with the invitation for permanent residency. Improved test results can be used to improve your score..
Find a job – individuals can access the Job Bank through the Job Match program and account. A validation code for Job Seekers is sent when a profile is submitted to the system. The Job Bank can be used for those applicants who move to Canada.
It is also possible to apply for a job privately with a Canadian company or through other job databases and boards. Individuals can also reach out to the territories and provinces to become part of a Provincial Nominee Program.
Applicants can also obtain additional educational points by completing degrees, diplomas or certifications, or continuing to work in qualifying NOC categories.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO CONSIDER
It is the responsibility of the applicant to keep their profile current and accurate. This means reporting any changes in employment status, marital status, language testing results, or if the family or individual has a new child or adopts a child.
Failing to report changes, omitting or falsely reporting information on the profile can result in denial of the application, resulting in a finding of inadmissibility, and imposing a ban that restricts your ability to apply for permanent residency for 5 years.
ROUNDS OF INVITATIONS FOR EXPRESS ENTRY
All information about dates for the rounds of invitations is posted online. It is important to review these dates and to review all instructions. As of January 2020, the settlement funds requirement has changed, so applicants in the pool should update their information to reflect the ability to meet these changes.
RESPONDING TO AN INVITATION
All candidates in the pools are scored using a Comprehensive Ranking Systems, which ranks all candidates in the pool based on the current and posted criteria. Those with the highest ranks receive invitations to apply for permanent residency.
Candidates receiving an invitation will receive information in their account that provides the program and the steps to follow. This will include the actual documents to prove the information provided on your profile. If anything has changed, be sure to take the time to check your current score to ensure your score has not lowered. If it has, it is possible to decline the invitation and apply at a later time when you have met the minimum requirements and at least the lowest of the scores in the given round.
DECLINING AN INVITATION OR NOT INVITED
Declining an invitation does not mean you are not eligible for future consideration in a round. It does mean the profile is submitted back into the pool. If you fail to complete the invitation in the 60 days, your profile will be eliminated from the pool. Any future consideration for permanent resident status in Canada means starting the process over from the beginning.
If you are not invited to apply in the round or in any round within a year (12 months) of the date of providing your profile, it is removed from the system. The profile expires, but interested individuals can start the process again by completing the profile step and going back into a pool after the 12 month time.
It is important not to create more than one profile. Individuals with a profile in the pool can withdraw or delete their existing profile by signing into their account and clicking on the application and the withdraw profile button. Once it has been withdrawn from the system, a new profile can be created.