Express Entry Kicks Off January 1, 2015

At noon EST on January 1^st, 2015, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will launch a new electronic system called Express Entry to manage applications for permanent residence under the following economic immigration programs:

• the Federal Skilled Worker Program;
• the Federal Skilled Trades Program; and
• the Canadian Experience Class.

Canada’s provinces and territories will also be able to recruit candidates from the Express Entry system through their Provincial Nominee Programs.

Once the system is online, potential candidates will be able to complete an Express Entry profile by providing information about their

• skills;
• work experience;
• language abilities;
• education; and
• other details that will help CIC assess their qualifications.

Those who meet the criteria of one of the programs listed above will be accepted into a pool of candidates.

Anyone who is accepted into the Express Entry pool could get an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence; however, candidates can only stay in the pool for up to 12 months. Draws to invite candidates to apply are expected to take place at regular intervals over the course of each year.