Frequently asked questions about the Express Entry immigration selection system.
Express Entry is a new electronic management application system for immigration to Canada.
It is not an immigration program. Rather, it facilitates the selection and processing of the following Canadian economic immigration programs:
- the Federal Skilled Worker Class (formerly the Federal Skilled Worker Program),
- the Federal Skilled Trades Class (formerly the Federal Skilled Trades Program),
- the Canadian Experience Class, and
- a portion of the Provincial Nominee Programs.
Applicants make an "expression of interest" (EOI) in immigrating to Canada and, if they are eligible for at least one of the aforementioned programs, they then enter the Express Entry pool. The federal government and provincial governments, as well as Canadian employers, are then able to select candidates from this pool who will then receive an Invitation To Apply (ITA) for immigration to Canada under one of the programs.
Express Entry moves Canada from a first come, first served (or supply-driven) system to an invitation to apply (or demand-driven) system. Modelled on similar systems in use in Australia and New Zealand, Express Entry aims to fast track the processing of skilled immigrants deemed most likely to succeed in Canada.
Yes, employers can explore other options for filling open positions with international workers. In most cases, Canadian employers wishing to hire a foreign worker first receive government approval before the hiring can take place. This approval comes in the form of a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), formerly known as a Labour Market Opinion (LMO).
There are several cases, however, where the need for a LMIA is waived. International agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) allow for the admission to Canada of certain foreign workers. Others include certain intra-company transferees, workers participating in International Exchange Programs, certain academics, and the dependants of temporary foreign workers who have obtained an LMIA.
In other cases, the Canadian government employee reviewing an application must determine that the hiring of a foreign worker will have a positive or neutral effect on the Canadian labour market. Among other factors, it must be clear that no qualified Canadians were passed up in favour of the foreign worker, and that the foreign worker will be given a salary and benefits that meet federal and provincial standards.
LMIAs will be provided within a 10-business-day service standard for workers in the following occupational categories:
- Highest-demand occupations: The 10-day service standard for this category is limited to the skilled trades where wage offered is at or above the provincial/territorial median wage. These positions are essential to the development of major infrastructure and natural resource extraction projects, and are therefore considered vital to Canadian economic growth.
- Highest-paid occupations: The 10-day service standard for this category is limited to employers hiring temporary foreign workers in the highest-paid occupations that offer wages in the top 10 percent of wages earned by Canadians in a given province or territory, such as physicians. This wage level indicated that a temporary foreign worker is the highest-skilled in their occupation, and that those skills are difficult to find in the Canadian labour market.
- Shortest-duration occupations: The 10-day service standard for this category is limited to employers requesting temporary foreign workers for a short duration, defined as 120 calendar days or less, in any occupation where the wage offered is at or above the provincial or territorial median wage. Positions falling under this category include those related to repairs or manufacturing equipment and warranting work.
After receiving a positive LMIA, the employer should send a copy to their identified foreign worker. The positive LMIA must be included in the worker’s application for a Temporary Work Permit.
Note that in addition to LMIA holders, the following candidates in the Express Entry pool may also be awarded Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for a qualifying job offer:
- Individuals with a work permit issued under an international agreement, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
- Individuals with a work permit issued under the ‘significant benefits to Canada’ criteria, such as Intra-Company Transfers.
Yes, though once a candidate has been identified by the employer and the employer wishes to make a permanent job offer, the candidate must create an Express Entry profile and be issued an invitation to apply for permanent residence once the job offer has been formally submitted.
Employers can also recruit internationally outside the Express Entry pool and then bring a foreign worker to Canada temporarily.
No, there is no fee for permanent residence LMIAs.
Employers should balance the advantages of there being no fee for LMIAs processed through Express Entry against the reality that if they were to process an LMIA through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (which carries a $1,000 fee), the worker may be able to begin working in Canada sooner.
Employers can access candidates:
- through their current recruiting and hiring practices, including private sector job boards; or
- through the Job Bank, which will help match candidates with eligible employers in Canada and jobs based on their skills, knowledge, and experience.
In some cases employers can also work with provinces and territories through the respective nominee programs.
Note that in addition to LMIA holders, the following candidates in the Express Entry pool may also be awarded Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for a qualifying job offer:
- Individuals with a work permit issued under an international agreement, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
- Individuals with a work permit issued under the ‘significant benefits to Canada’ criteria, such as Intra-Company Transfers.
