Permanent Residence in Canada with Express Entry (outside of Quebec)

How does the application work on Express Entry?

Since 2015, it has been possible to create your profile on the Express Entry interface. This system doesn’t really work on a first-come-first-served basis. However, as of June 2017, the authorities have indicated that in the event that applicants obtain the same score in the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), they will be ranked according to the date and time they submitted their profile on Express Entry.

Before creating your profile on Express Entry, it is necessary to have your language skills assessed in at least one of Canada’s two official languages (French and/or English) and sometimes (depending on the case) to have any diplomas or degrees obtained outside of Canada assessed.

This information on your language skills (and, in some cases, your level of qualification) is essential for the assessment of your profile in the Express Entry system. It will help to determine whether you are indeed eligible to enter the Express Entry applicant pool and will (along with other criteria) help to assign you a certain number of points. These points will be used to rank you against other applicants who have also applied to Express Entry through the “Comprehensive Ranking System” or CRS.

Once you have entered a certain amount of information on Express Entry (and if you are eligible for one of the Express Entry categories), you will be allowed to join the “applicant pool”.

The Canadian authorities will regularly “pull” someone out of the Express Entry applicant pool; they select the applicants with the highest number of points and then send them an “invitation to apply”.

Once this invitation is received, you will then have 60 days to submit all required documents online. If you are applying from outside Canada, you will receive instructions to provide your biometric data at a Canadian-approved biometric collection point 24 hours after submitting your application. You will have 30 days to go, in person, to have your identity verified (you will need your passport and the biometrics invitation) and to have a photo and your fingerprints taken.

Once these documents are received by Canadian immigration, they will process your application within 6 months providing it’s complete.

Signing up to Express Entry is free and valid for 12 months. If, after 12 months, you have still not been selected (this is a possibility), you may resubmit your profile to Express Entry and hope to be one of the lucky candidates in the next 12 months.

If your situation changes during those 12 months (change of job, new diploma, a better score on new language tests), you can update your profile and maybe reach the maximum number of points required.

Whereas things were previously done on a “first come, first served” basis (in principle), Canadian immigration has since implemented a pre-selection process to study only those applications which have a high chance of being chosen (thus reducing the processing time for selected applications).

Finding your NOC code

If you have consulted the 3 categories with which it is possible to apply for permanent residence via Express Entry (chapters 3, 4 and 5 of this guide), you will understand that it is important to know which category your occupation falls under. You must indicate your occupation code during the application process on Express Entry. This is why it’s essential that you know your code before you start the application process.

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is the classification system for occupations in Canada.

Occupations are divided into 10 skill types (classed from 0 to 9) and 4 skill levels (A to D).

To be eligible for Express Entry, you must either have a job that comes under skill level A or B, or work in skill type 0 which corresponds to “management” jobs.

To find your NOC code, you must successfully identify your occupation on the website of Employment and Social Development Canada. Different types of searches are available.

Here are the lists of jobs eligible for the Express Entry system:

• Jobs classed as skill type 0
• Jobs classed as skill type A
• Jobs classed as skill type B

The following is a list of jobs which are not eligible for Express Entry:

• Jobs classed as skill type C
• Jobs classed as skill type D

Try to find the occupation that is the best match from these lists. If you find one which seems to fit, click on it to find a description of the main tasks and conditions of access to this profession. You will also find all its titles. Another useful feature is that the last paragraph is dedicated to the titles not to be confused with (Exceptions): don’t hesitate to consult them to see if any match your job better.

You can also consult this page from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada site: Finding the NOC.

It’s important to take the time to look at the different occupations listed. Make sure that you’re not choosing a false friend (certain professions in France and Belgium have a different name in Canada).

Identifying your occupation by means of an NOC code is a task which may take time but is absolutely essential for the rest of the process.