Understanding Express Entry as a path toward Canadian immigration

What is Express Entry?

express entry

Express Entry is defined as an online system used by the Canadian government for organizing and processing applications for skilled workers who wish to immigrate to Canada and attain Canadian permanent residence status. The express entry system manages three primary federal economic programs. They are many

How to apply for Express Entry?

Applying for Express Entry is a two-stage process. The first stage is to submit the candidate profile which needs the following documents:

  • Educational credential assessment report
  • Language test results
  • A passport or travel document

Once the profile is submitted and the candidate receives an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence, they would need to offer a more substantial application which includes reference letters, police clearance certificates, additional identity documents, and results of a medical examination.

Who is eligible for Express Entry?

Individuals having a university or college degree, skilled job experience, and moderate proficiency in English along with/or French are considered to be ideal Express Entry candidates.

To submit a profile via the Express Entry system, candidates should also meet the eligibility criteria for one of the three federal programs namely

  • Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
  • Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

The easiest way to find out if you eligible is to use Bal immigration consultant services online assessment tool

What does the Express Entry cost?

The cost of immigrating to Canada via Express Entry is almost CAD 2,300 for a single candidate, or approximately CAD 4,500 for a couple. The breakup of costs includes,

  • Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): Average cost – $200
  • Language tests: Average cost – $300
  • Government fees: $1,325 per adult & $225 per child
  • Biometrics: $85 per person
  • Police clearance certificates: average cost – $100 per country
  • Medical examination fees: average cost – $450 per adult & $250 per child

How Express Entry points are calculated?

When an immigration advisor Canada” refers to Canada’s “Express Entry points”, they are generally talking about the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Canada utilities the CRS score to rank the candidates in the Express Entry pool using a group of factors, such as:

  • Level of education;
  • Age;
  • Connections to Canada
  • Proficiency in French or English;
  • Spouse factors; and
  • Foreign and Canadian work experience;

For an estimate of your CRS score, use Bal immigration’s CRS calculator tool. We offer the best immigration services in Canada. Our services can be easily accessed through our website www.balimmigration.com. We help candidates build a strong profile to ensure no rejection takes place. An Ideal Express Entry candidate may meet the following requirements:

  • Holds at least two Bachelor’s degrees or one Master’s degree
  • Be under 30 years old
  • Have at least three years of skilled work experience
  • Be able to demonstrate a moderate to high level of English and/or French language proficiency (The Canadian Language Benchmark [CLB] level is nine or above)

Some more factors which may help to boost a candidate’s CRS score may include:

  • Higher language proficiency in English and/or French
  • A Master’s degree or Ph.D. education
  • A nomination from a provincial nominee program
  • Bilingualism in French and English
  • A Canadian brother or sister currently residing in Canada
  • Canadian work or educational experience
  • An arranged employment offer from a Canadian company

So get connected with BAL immigration consultancy Canada and give wings to your dreams to settle in Canada. This is a brief overview of the Express Entry as a path toward Canadian immigration. In case any candidate wishes to know more or gather in-depth details for the same our immigration consultant service provider is ready to serve you.

Thinking of studying in Canada? What you need to know to settle and succeed as an international student

Introduction

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Canada is home to picturesque prairies, beautiful mountains, some of the world’s greatest cities, and the best universities. If a candidate is considering studying in Canada as an international student, they might be wondering what is involved, how to prepare, and what the settlement options are after one graduate.

To help potential candidates figure out how to study in Canada, BAL Immigration offers a guide to walk step-by-step through the process. In this manner, candidates can spend less time searching online and more time preparing for a new life at one of Canada’s best educational institutions.

Step 1: Choose the right school!

The first step in the journey is to choose the right school. Even from far away, one can look into the courses, get an understanding of what campus life is like, and take a virtual tour.

It is vital to note that not all educational institutions in Canada are allowed to admit international students. Only those schools that are Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) have been approved to host international students. A good immigration advisor in Canada will have a list of DLIs to which one can apply to.

Step 2: Ensure to qualify and get the documents organized

To apply for a study permit a candidate just needs to make sure that they fit the criteria and have all of their paperwork together. Bal immigration consultancy Canada offers a list of documents needed

  • Letter of acceptance from the school which the candidate will attend.
  • Proof of identities such as a passport or other valid travel documents required in Canada for participants from the original country.
  • Proof you have no criminal record. 
  • Proof of funds to be able to pay for tuition fees, living expenses, and return expenses. A few ways to provide proof of funds are as follows
  • Bank statements from the last four months.
    • A bank draft in Canadian dollars
    • Proof of a student loan from a bank or other issuer.
    • A letter from the organization, person, or school giving you the money for your degree.
    • Proof that your tuition and housing fees are paid.
    • Proof of scholarships or other funding.
    • Proof of health
    • Proof you’ll leave after your degree

Step 3: Apply for a study permit

You can apply for a study permit either online or via a paper application. People with disabilities can even apply via a paper application. The study permit application fees are CAD 150 and the biometric fees are CAD 85 or CAD 170 for a family (these fees are subject to change). The best immigration services in Canada have a tab of the latest trends and changes in fee structure.

There even might be additional fees for police verification or the medical exam that the candidate might be required to undertake. Typically it can take up to 12 weeks or more to process a study permit application. Be sure to apply in time!

Step 4: Time to get set up

On arriving at the desired educational institute, one just needs to take care of important logistics, such as figuring out where one is going to live and settling in.

  • Get your accommodations settled.
  • Find a job. 
  • Get a bank account

Step 5: Settle into your school community

Several international students undergo a bit of culture shock and loneliness as they move to a different country. It’s normal if one feels homesick, too. Building a community would help. Some things to try:

  • Connect with other international students. 
  • Get involved with schools clubs
  • Get support.

The bottom line

While moving to a new country for a degree involves a lot of bureaucratic hoop-jumping. This is worth it for the educational opportunities that one gets. While the process might seem tedious, take it one step at a time using guidance from the best immigration services in Canada and one can easily get it all done.

5 Ways to Improve your Express Entry CRS Score?

Introduction 

Canada’s express entry has one of the most advanced immigration systems in the world . Launched in January 2015, it was designed by Canadian authorities to align immigrants’ skills with the labor market’s demand.

Under the Express Entry program, candidates are put in a pool, with each application carrying a score using a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Their federal government identifies the highest-ranked candidates and then issues Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Applicants are allowed points based on the following factors:

  • Skills and work experience.
  • Education.
  • Language ability and education of the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner.
  • Language ability in English and/or French.
  • Possession of a provincial government nomination for permanent residence.
  • Possession of a job offer supported by a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment.
  • Certain combinations of language skills, education, and work experience result in a higher chance of the applicant becoming employed.
express entry

Get trained with the best immigration services in Canada.

The candidates who are eligible to apply for an Express Entry are evaluated by a score of the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). There are some criteria that one can not control. There are several ways to improve the CRS score for a candidate to rank higher in the Express Entry Pool. 

Bal immigration- as a trusted and experienced Canadian immigration consultant, we added a list of the top 5 ways to improve the Express Entry CRS Score.

1. Language: A single candidate’s ability is worth up to 260 CRS points. French and English have been Canada’s official languages. It is advisable to take a French class and learn both languages to gain more points. Extra points are accumulated for each improvement in the test results across the four language abilities: speaking, listening, reading, and writing). Still, the critical threshold is when a candidate gets a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 9 in each ability. If you have studied French at school or have a decent language knowledge, it may be wise to consider preparing to take the Test d’évaluation du français (TEF).

2. Work: Although Canadian work experience is valued higher than non-Canadian work experience if a candidate has less than three years of full-time experience, it is essential to keep working! The objective of remaining in employment is even more acute for candidates currently working in Canada on a work permit as more points are available for the work. It is rewarded for every annual threshold for up to five years. It is essential to maintain legal work status the entire time; while an individual is working in Canada, you 

3. Study: An expert immigration advisor in Canada suggests ten studying in Canada before applying for an Express Entry! Having a Canadian study experience may significantly increase the CSR score.

4. Education: If a candidate has two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees, they may be able to claim extra points for the education section. Additionally, completing an extra level of education may also be beneficial. Some candidates are just a few courses or months away from getting a degree, diploma, or certificate, which, when assessed, can aid in improving their CRS ranking.

5. Spouse: Candidates with a spouse may have different potential for enhancing their CRS score as the spouse’s level of education, language ability, and Canadian work experience would all be rewarded. A candidate can add up to 20 points to their CRS through the partner’s first language scores. They can add up to 10 points to the CRS score by getting ECA done for the partner’s education.

Connect with the expert in immigration consultant services  

Do you require help and guidance in preparing an application for Canadian permanent residence? Book an appointment with our Immigration Consultant to set up a consultation with some of the best immigration advisors in Canada.

Top Reasons Why your Canadian Work Permit can get Rejected

Introduction

Being refused a Canadian visa in 2022 may be frustrating as it has the potential to ruin work plans, travel plans, or even a new settling arrangement. After a visa refusal, there are a few tips you may be able to take to still get a Canadian visa. Contrary to what several people think, reapplying for a Canadian visa after rejection or refusal is an option, based on the reasons why the application had been rejected in the first place. The letter that the IRCC sends to the candidate explaining why the visa has been rejected doesn’t have the information explaining the reason why it was refused. There are several reasons why an application for a visa might be rejected based on the unique requirements of each visa category.

Top Reasons for a Canadian Visa Rejection:

  • Failure to submit proper and accurate supporting documents
  • Failure to meet up with the international security standards, such as in instances where the applicant contains a criminal background
  • The Visa officer has reservations regarding the applicant’s intention for his/her application
  • Failure to meet up with health standards
  • Failure to present adequate financial resources to finance the travel to and settle in Canada

There may be several other factors that may result in a Canadian visa refusal, but most of them fall within some or the other parameters which are mentioned above. If an application is denied, the candidate may be eligible to appeal the refusal or even reapply for the visa. In case of an appeal, the candidate cannot expect the visa officer or authorities seated at the embassy to accept an appeal to get even a temporary visa. The best option in this situation for a candidate is to apply again for a visa with a new and improved application. Below mentioned are some steps that can be taken after a Canadian visa rejection.

Reapplication Procedures

After a Canadian visa rejection, the applicants must be aware of specific procedures that are recommended for filing a new application. An immigration consultancy in Canada knows precisely what the steps are. We at BAL Immigration make sure to follow all such steps carefully to avoid any problems during the second time of application. The steps taken in the reapplication process will vary depending on the type of visa one requires.

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Work Visa

An important thing to note with regard to Canadian work visas is the difference between a refusal and a visa return. A refusal would come as a result of a failure to prove intent, provide supporting documents, prove finances, and meet security, health, or criminal admissibility standards. On the other hand, a return may come due to the program quota being filled, or due to missing documents/incorrectly filled application materials. If a program, which the candidate has applied for has already reached its maximum limit of accepted applicants, the candidate will unfortunately not be able to reapply at the same time for that particular program. But, if the application has been returned for missing information, the candidate can simply correct these mistakes and reapply. The best immigration services in Canada have a detailed list of documents needed, which if followed properly will ensure getting a work permit in Canada.

Seek Professional Assistance

Here at BAL Immigration, we have over a decade of experience helping clients avoid visa rejections and even offer help after they have been denied a Canadian visa. If you are interested in hiring an immigration advisor in Canada, we welcome you to book a consultation with us! If you feel unsure of your immigration needs, be free to fill out our free online assessment form. It will help us determine how we can best help you with our immigration consultant services.

How to Protect your Canadian Work Permit from Getting Rejected

Introduction

A Foreign national who wishes to work in Canada may need to get the approval of the work permit application first. It is less known that there are several reasons why a particular application for a work permit gets the rejection. The only condition one would consider to reapply after a refusal is to find out the ‘true reason’ behind a generic refusal letter from the IRCC- Visa officer.

We at BAL Immigration offer the best immigration services in Canada. Based on our experience as an immigration consultancy in Canada, we offer our readers a compilation of conditions to help candidates review the work permit application [before] submitting it to the Visa Office, hence avoiding possible rejection of the Work Permit in Canada.

When an applicant gets a job offer, LMIA jobs are exempt from the LMIA. Still, they do not have the qualification or experience based on the job description or letter of employment provided by a particular employer in Canada. Even if the proposed job of working in Canada is regulated – it may need a particular applicant to have a registration based on territory requirement [only in case it applies], and an applicant has not complied with it.

If weaker ties to the country of the resident have been identified, more specifically, if (s)he fails to prove that at the end of the work permit, the applicant would settle in Canada, the application would be refused under div 2 part 11 of the regulations. For most temporary resident visas like work permits in Canada, the Visa Office may always check, verify and analyze if the applicant(s) has a solid reason to return to his own country before their work permit is completed in Canada.

Work experience and educational qualification have a crucial role when applying for a work permit in connection to a job offer [except for those occupations which may not require one] when applying for work permit in Canada. This is because the Visa Office would ensure that if they consider granting a ‘work permit to a candidate,’ a holder of a work permit can perform the job offered to them in Canada. Even if the working certificate has been given, but the same is not credible, verifiable, or evaluative, the VO might result in a decline in the work permit application. When an applicant submits incomplete information or documents, the application for a work permit may likely be denied by the Visa Office. It is here that the need for a good immigration advisor in Canada is felt. It is vital to follow the visa instructions of the country being applied to or submit the application while applying for a work permit in Canada.

 A prospective employer in Canada has a record of non-compliance with their obligations towards their worker(s) as per federal or provincial laws which regulate the employment and recruitment of foreign worker(s) in Canada. Even if the employer has not complied with the employer’s conditions as required by Regulations 2 or 209.3 of  IRPR. Suppose the offer of employment from Canada is not found to be genuine; as per rules of the VO, the Visa Officer generally would exercise its powers and discretion for the decision of the work permit application in Canada.

BAL Immigration – your one-stop immigration consultant services

For Assistance on any issues related to Visa for Canada, contact our VISA ONLINE ASSISTANCE  to help our customers with their application or reapplication.

Customers can even email us at [email protected]  for inquiries or visit https://www.balimmigration.com/ for more information.