Canada Skilled Worker Visa – Learning new skills has become an essential step in our everyday lives. Whether as the primary source of livelihood or to bring an extra income source, new skills have become more than something to rely upon for prospective immigrants.
The Canadian immigration system understands the advantages workers provide to themselves and the government in general. With businesses’ availability and insufficiently skilled workers to fill essential roles, The Canadian government created the Express Entry Visa program.
What is the Canada Skilled Worker Visa (Express Entry)?
The Federal Skilled Worker Program, also known as the Express Entry, is a given to people who want to immigrate to Canada and possess the professional skillset required in their Canadian district of choice.
The Canadian government created this type of immigration program to fill a need in the Canadian economy. With the rise of new businesses and investors and the low number of the Canadian experience class, the Canadian government created the program to ensure that these positions can be filled by immigrants who can also apply for permanent residence once a job position has been secured.
The Canadian government also implemented Express Entry to ensure applicants can apply if they meet the minimum entry requirements in over 347 occupations.
Who can apply for the Canada skilled worker visa?
Skilled workers worldwide can apply for the Express Entry Program if they meet the Express Entry Visa’s minimum requirements. The minimum requirements include;
- Skilled work experience
- Language ability
- Education
If you meet the minimum requirements, the RCIC agent will assess your application on the following factors, and your test results will make up points to rank you in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This system is a total of 100 points, with the cut-off mark being 67.
The point system is ranked on the following;
- Age: if you fall into the desired age group for immigrants
- Education: If you have successfully passed the educational credential assessment (ECA)
- Work experience: If you have the required years of work experience needed to settle in your desired Canadian district or province
- Language skills: If you successfully pass the language test in English or French, Canada’s two official languages.
- Other factors.
What are the benefits of Canada Express Entry?
Though there are different immigration programs to enable you to immigrate to Canada with high chances of Canadian permanent residence, the Canada Express Entry program may be the best choice for you if you consider the extensive benefits it provides. These include;
- The express entry program is a more efficient way to immigrate to Canada since applicants are already equipped with the Canadian government’s immigration skills.
- No limits to applicants can apply to a pool: Applicants are encouraged to apply to different express entry pools that fit their unique situations. With no limit of applicants that can apply to each pool, there is a higher chance of being chosen by an employer. This also increases your chances of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) from the government.
- Faster processing times: Since there is a pressing need for qualified workers to fill vacant positions in organizations worldwide, the processing time is shorter.
- Access to job banks: Applicants’ employment profiles are exposed to job banks, which increase their chances of gaining employment tremendously as their profiles are displayed to multiple employers.
How much does it cost to receive the Canada Express Entry?
Once you have received an invitation to apply, the next step is to start processing your fees and providing proof of funds for you and your dependents. Many factors determine how much the Canada Express Entry costs. These include dependents, province or district of choice, and more.
The fees for the Canada Express Entry include;
- $1,325 for the main applicant and $1,325 for the spouse or common-law partner accompanying you
- For children accompanying you, a fee of $225 is required per child
- $85 is required for the necessary biometrics fee for the main applicant, or $170 total for two or more applicants
During the process, additional costs that will incur include;
- Language exam fees
- An Education Credential Assessment for foreign degrees
- Translating documents that are not in English or French
- Medical exam
- Police certificate
There is also the proof of funds required to show that you can take care of yourself and your dependents till you secure employment if you have not already.
This ranges from $12,960 for one family member to $34,299 for seven family members.
The cost of living in different Canadian provinces also varies.
How do I check my eligibility for the Canada Express Entry Visa?
To be eligible for the Canada Express Entry Visa, you need to meet the minimum eligibility requirements. After this, you also need to accumulate at least 67 points out of the Comprehensive Ranking System’s 100 total points. You can check other eligibility requirements on the official Canada Immigration website.
Not sure if you qualify for the Canada Express Entry Visa? Please click here to calculate the points using our free immigration assessment tool.
