Canada launches \\\'Express Entry\\\' to woo 181,000 new immigrants

Canada government is introducing a new "Express Entry" system from January 1 to attract 181,000 new immigrants through economic immigration programmes in 2015, reports BSS.

The government aims to attract up to 285,000 new immigrants in 2015, around 181,000 of which are scheduled to be economic migrants that exclude migration under family sponsorship or refugee and humanitarian cases, according to the Canadian immigration plan.

The Express Entry will function as a two-step process. Step one will involve candidates making an expression of interest in immigrating to Canada, with candidates who are eligible for one of the federal economic immigration programmes entering the Express Entry pool. Step two will involve a portion of those candidates in the pool being issued invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Unlike the Federal Skilled Worker Programme, there will be no eligible occupations list; instead candidates will have to demonstrate that they have worked at least one year in a skilled occupation within the past 10 years.

The entire Express Entry process, including steps one and two, will be conducted online. Candidates eligible to enter the Express Entry pool must get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) of their completed educational credentials before making an expression of interest in immigrating to Canada. Language testing will be required before going into the Express Entry pool.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) recently stated its intention to issue the first invitations to apply before the end of January, 2015. This is likely to benefit candidates who have prepared in advance, sat language tests, and gathered supporting documents, as they are the candidates most likely to be in a position to accept an invitation to apply, if offered one.

CIC also said that once an invitation to apply has been issued to a candidate, he or she will have only 60 days to file a complete application and all supporting documents. No extensions will be granted.