Frequently asked questions about obtaining Permanent Residency in Canada and the Express Entry system
We simplified IRCC guides to make immigration more approachable.
To apply for PR in Canada you need to start by selecting an immigration stream. You can get PR through a federal (Canada-wide), most popular being CEC, or provincial pathway (province-specific).
The CEC program is a federal immigration stream that allows individuals who have work experience in Canada to apply for permanent residency.
To apply for the Canadian Experience Class, you will need have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada, there is no minimum education requirements but you will be asked to demonstrate English or French proficiency. Learn if your job falls
under the CEC program by using our PR Indicator.
Yes, it is available in all provinces except for Quebec.
The main requirements include having work experience in Canada, fulfilling a minimum of 1,560 hours of paid work, and having work experience in a job classified as NOC 0, A, or B skill level.
No, the work experience must be gained inside Canada.
NOC stands for National Occupational Classification, which categorizes jobs based on skill level and type of work. For the CEC program, you need to have experience in certain NOC skill levels.
No, you cannot count more than 30 hours per week, so it will take at least one year to accumulate the required hours.
Yes, paid vacation time can count towards your work hours requirement for the CEC program.
Important documents include a job offer, pay stubs, an employment verification letter, a record of employment, and an employment contract.
A job offer should include the job title, hours per week, pay per hour, and duties because a visa officer will compare these details against the NOC standards.
If the job duties do not match the NOC description, it may disqualify the application, as it must be consistent with the duties of the claimed NOC category.
Use the government's NOC database to compare the government's NOC description with your job offer to ensure they align.
Go to the GC Key website, scroll down to "Apply to Come to Canada," and then select "Apply for Express Entry."
Information required includes personal details, language test results, education, work experience, and other relevant details.
When you select a province in your profile, it indicates your interest in that province and could open opportunities for provincial nominee programs.
Your profile enters the Express Entry pool, and if you are selected during a draw based on your score, you will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residency.
An Express Entry profile is valid for one year after submission.
A valid job offer can provide additional points in the CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) and can be crucial for the success of the application. It must be supported by an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) or an offer of employment if exempt.
You can re-enter your profile into the pool, attempt to increase your score, or explore other immigration options such as provincial nominee programs.
After receiving an ITA, it's crucial to take the next steps seriously to maximize the ITA, like submitting supporting documents, and eventually secure permanent residency.
If your score is adjusted based on provided documents and it falls below the cutoff of the draw, your application may be refused.
You should start gathering all documents to support your Express Entry score, especially those that may take more time, such as police certificates.
Additional documents may include updated passport pages, stamps, visas, and documents for any dependents such as passport copies, birth certificates, and marriage certificates.
Family members can be added to the application at any time during the process, but you must provide the additional family information form (IMM 5406) and pay applicable fees.
You need reference letters, employment agreements, taxation documents, pay slips, and possibly a labor market impact assessment for arranged employment.
The PR application portal includes sections that are automatically filled with information from your Express Entry profile. It also requires additional information like personal history, education, and work experience.
IRCC wants to have a complete timeline without any gaps, even if those periods were times of unemployment or travel.
The medical exam is no longer required upfront. IRCC will request it after submitting your application.
If your application is being submitted through an authorized representative like a lawyer or consultant, this form must be completed to authorize them to represent you.
Optional documents include any additional information or explanations that could not be included in the main sections of the application, such as letters of explanation.
No changes cannot be made on the portal after submission, but you must update IRCC on any changes via a Webform.
Having an immigration lawyer review your file is considered the best investment to avoid mistakes in such a crucial application. Professional guidance can remove certain risks when filing for PR in Canada.