Your Guide to Express Entry and Permanent Residency in Canada

Understanding Express Entry Canada

It is an online management tool the Canadian government developed for applications seeking permanent residency in Canada from skilled workers. It is one of the fastest and most popular ways to immigrate to Canada. This system offers Pakistani citizens a fast track and efficient path to accomplishing their dream of living and working in Express Entry Canada.

How Express Entry Canada Works

There is a two-step process for the Express Entry system:

1. Creating an Online Profile: You have to fill up an online profile detailing information on your skills, work experience, language proficiency, education, and other personal information. You will be awarded a CRS score based on this.
2. Invitation to Apply (ITA): If you achieve the required CRS cut-off marks, then you will be issued an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence. Your chances of selection will be very bright at this stage.

Eligibility Criteria for Express Entry Canada

You have to meet the eligibility criteria of one of the following immigration programs to be eligible for Express Entry:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): This is for skilled workers with work experience from outside Canada. It requires several factors to be met, including work experience, education, and language proficiency.
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): If you are qualified in a skilled trade, this program might fit your case. This program requires either an offer of a job or a certificate of qualification in a skilled trade that has been issued by one province or territory of Canada.
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC): This category is for those who have Canadian work experience. It’s the best route if you have previously worked in Canada on a temporary work permit.

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score

During the Express Entry process, your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is of paramount importance. Your CRS score is based on a combination of multiple factors, which include:

• Age: Younger candidates are rated higher.
• Education: Higher levels of education give you more points.
• Language Proficiency: High results in English or French language tests are desirable.
• Work Experience: More years of relevant work experience increase your score.
• Adaptability: Sibling living in Canada, job offer— all these factors add to your score.

Improving Your CRS Score

• Improve Language Scores: You will drastically increase your CRS points by re-taking language tests to achieve higher scores.
• Gain More Work Experience: More years of work experience will contribute to the scoring.
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): Your foreign education must be accredited in Canada.
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP): If any one of the provinces in Canada nominates you, then you have an additional 600 points added to your CRS score.

The Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Once you have received the ITA, you will have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residency with all supporting documents, including police certificates, medical examinations, proof of funds, etc. Critical in that is to ensure that your application is right and complete to avoid delay.

Permanent Residency in Canada

Many benefits and opportunities come with permanent residency in Canada. A permanent resident can live, work, and study anywhere in Canada, and one will be entitled to the bulk of social benefits that Canadian citizens enjoy.

Benefits of Permanent Residency

• Work and Live Anywhere: Since you are a permanent resident, there is no restriction to an employer or area.
• Social Benefits: You have access to most social benefits, such as health, education, and social services.
• Path to Citizenship: Permanent residency may lead to Canadian citizenship. You can apply for citizenship in Canada once you have fulfilled the residence requirement.
• Family Sponsorship: You can sponsor your family members who are eligible to come and join you in Canada.

Permanent Residency in Canada Requirements

There are some requirements that permanent residence has to comply with, which retain this status, such as:

• Residency Obligation: A permanent resident has to stay at least 730 days in Canada in any period of five consecutive years.
• Adherence to Laws: You should respect and obey the laws of Canada and its political process. You should not engage in or support any criminal activity.
• Permanent Resident Card: The permanent resident card is proof of your status, and you need to have this when travel outside Canada.

Applying for Permanent Residency: Step-by-Step

• Check Eligibility: Make sure that you are eligible for at least one of the immigration programs under Express Entry.
• Create an Express Entry Profile: Fill out this form with complete information about your skills, work experience, education, language ability, and some other details that will be used to assess you.
• Get an Invitation to Apply (ITA): If your CRS score is at or above the cut-off, then an invitation to apply will be issued.
• Submit Your Application: You will have 60 days to complete your application, along with all supporting documents.
• Await Decision: The processing time is variable, but the majority of applications are processed in less than six months.

Challenges and Tips

Applications for permanent residency can be very complicated. Here are some tips that may help get you started:

Stay Organized: Keep all your documents and information in order; this will help avoid delays.

Seek Professional Help: You may want to consult with immigration experts or lawyers who can help you run through the process.

Keep Updated: Keep updated about any changes in immigration policies and requirements.

Conclusion

What could be overwhelmingly daunting in the Express Entry system to permanent resident status in Canada business can be very easy with the right information and good preparation. The key ingredients toward your success lie in the understanding of the eligibility criteria, improving your CRS score, and the steps of application.

This guide therefore aims to ensure that every citizen of Pakistan who intends to immigrate to Canada is equipped with the basic knowledge necessary for entry into that country. Always remember: patience and careful planning are the only ways forward. Good luck with your path to permanent residence in Canada!