Express Entry from the US
Applying for Permanent Residence in Canada for American Citizens
Canada offers the “Express Entry” system, processing applications as quickly as six months. Through this process American citizens can apply for Permanent Residence (PR) status based on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The goal of the point system is to determine the likeliness of the applicant succeeding in their life in Canada, if they were to be admitted as a permanent resident based on the applicant’s work experience, training, knowledge and what they have to offer socially and economically. The Government of Canada extends an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence to the highest scoring candidates.
Contact us if you want to apply for PR in Canada under one of the Economic Classes.
Americans can consider applying to the following Express Entry programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Class Profile
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Class
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Provincial Nomination Program (PNP)
1. Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Class
The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Class allows Americans with training and experience in designated professions to apply for permanent residency. Points are earned dependent on the following: skilled work experience, English/French language abilities, education, proof of funds, admissibility and other factors (including age, existence of a job offer, and adaptability). Depending on the applicant’s ranking, they will – or will not – receive an ITA to apply for permanent residency.
Americans applying through this stream must provide proof that they have skilled work experience in one of the following job groups, as outlined by the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system:
- Managerial job (Skill Type “0”) – in areas such as factories, offices, or resorts.
- Professional job (Skill Level “A”) – such as architects, accountants, lawyers, teachers, medical workers.
- Technical job and skilled trades (Skill Level “B”) – such as chefs, plumbers, electricians.
The following process outline is only for applicants looking to live in provinces outside of Québec, as that province has its own selection process for skilled workers.
Skilled Work
American applicants must show that, for the job with the NOC code that they are seeking to work in upon immigrating to Canada, they previously gained experience and performed the duties outlined in the lead statement of the NOC description, including all essential duties and most of the main duties. The past professional experience must have been gained within the last 10 years through paid work (not internships or volunteer service) for at least one continuous year of employment. (Both full-time or part-time employment periods qualify, based on the hours earned.
Language
American applicants must take an approved language test for reading, writing, listening and speaking in either English and/or French and earn a minimum score of 7 in all four areas of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). (The results are valid for 2 years after the date of the test results and must be valid on the day of application for permanent residence).
Education
Americans with credentials from countries other than Canada, must provide a diploma, degree or trade apprenticeship certificate proving the completion of study/training from a recognized institution. Along with this they must obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for immigration purposes from a designated organization to show the education is equal to a completed certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution.
If the applicant has completed studies in Canada, a certificate, diploma or degree from the Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution must be provided.
Proof of Funds
U.S. nationals applying to immigrate to Canada through the Express Entry system must show they have sufficient funds for themselves (and any family joining them) to settle in Canada. This requirement is waived for individuals who are already legally working in Canada or have a valid job offer from a Canada-based employer.
Admissibility
When applying for the FSW program, you must be admissible to Canada. In other words, you must be considered healthy and safe to immigrate. The most common reason Americans are found to be inadmissible to Canada is DUI (drunk-driving). Anyone with a criminal conviction must have been approved for criminal rehabilitation to be granted PR status in Canada.
Other reasons for which applicants may be denied admission to Canada may be:
- security reasons (i.e. espionage, violence, terrorism, war crimes, previous convictions of crimes)
- medical reasons (i.e. health conditions that are a risks to the public or cause excessive demand on health/social services)
- misrepresentation (i.e. providing false information or withholding information related to government decisions)
- having an inadmissible family member.
Note: U.S. nationals applying through the Express Entry process to immigrate to Canada through the CEC stream are not required to show they have enough money for themselves (and their family if joining them), to settle in Canada. This requirement is waived for individuals who are currently able to legally work in Canada or have a valid job offer from a Canada-based employer.
2. Skilled Trades Work
Applicants must show that, for the trades work they seek to do in Canada, they have performed all the duties outlined in the lead statement of the NOC description, including all essential duties and most of the main duties. This experience must have been gained in a previous paid role with the same NOC code as the job the applicant is seeking to work in upon immigrating and must have been earned after qualifying to independently practise the trade.
The skilled trade experience must have been gained within the last 5 years before applying and must total at least 2 years of full-time work (or an equal amount of part-time work experience).
Language
American applicants applying through this stream, must take an approved language test in either English and/or French. The tests assess their listening, speaking, reading and writing abilities according to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). Minimum scores must be earned to be eligible immigration applicants for the FST stream. For listening and speaking a minimum level 5 must be attained. For reading and writing a minimum of level 4 must be attained. (The results are valid for 2 years after the date of the test results and must be valid on the day of application for permanent residence).
Education
For the FST immigration stream there is no education requirement. However, if an American applicant wants to improve their ranking in the Express Entry pool, they can do so by having their prior education included in the CRS points There are two ways applicants can go about this:
- If the applicant has had prior education in Canada, points can be earned for a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution
or;
- If the applicant has had prior education abroad, points can be earned by having an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) completed by a designated organization, showing that the education is equal to either a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution.
Provincial/Territorial Trades Assessment
Most trades are regulated by a body that governs that trade for a province/territory. American applicants to the FST immigration stream will likely need to have the province/territory where they wish to live, assess the trade. Depending on the outcome of this assessment the Canadian employer may later have to provide the American worker with specific experience or training. Below is a list of links to websites with specific details for each province’s/territory’s Certificates of Qualification for the trades — as well as outlines of how these certificates can be earned. If a trade is not found under a provincial/territorial body, the Canadian Centre for International Credentials provides a comprehensive summary of who regulates the trades: https://www.cicic.ca/935/find_an_occupational_profile.canada?search=&cat=1&tp=7.
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
Proof of Funds
American applicants to the FST immigration stream must show they have sufficient funds for themselves (and any family member joining them), to settle in Canada. This requirement is waived for individuals who are already legally able to work in Canada at this time, with a valid job offer from a Canada-based employer.
More information about financial requirements for the FST process can be found at: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/proof-funds.html
Admissibility
When applying for the Federal Skilled Trades stream, Americans must be admissible to Canada. In other words, you must be considered healthy and safe to immigrate. The most common reason American applicants are found to be inadmissible to Canada is DUI (drunk-driving). If you have a criminal conviction, you must have been approved for criminal rehabilitation to be granted PR in Canada.
Other reasons for which Americans may be denied admission to Canada may be:
- security reasons (i.e. espionage, violence, terrorism, war crimes, previous convictions of crimes)
- medical reasons (i.e. health conditions that are a risks to the public or cause excessive demand on health/social services)
- misrepresentation (i.e. providing false information or withholding information related to government decisions)
- having an inadmissible family member.
Note: U.S. nationals applying through the Express Entry process to immigrate to Canada through the CEC stream are not required to show they have enough money for themselves (and their family if joining them), to settle in Canada. This requirement is waived for individuals who are currently able to legally work in Canada or have a valid job offer from a Canada-based employer.
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream of the Express Entry process evaluates applicants specifically based on their skilled work experience in Canada. Other areas that the CRS assigns points for are: English/French language abilities, education, admissibility and other factors (including age, existence of a job offer, and adaptability). The Government of Canada then extends ITAs to the top ranking applicants in the pool.
U.S. nationals who are applying through this stream must provide proof that they have skilled work experience in Canada in one or more of the following roles, as outlined by the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system:
- Managerial job (Skill Type “0”) – in areas such as factories, offices, or resorts.
- Professional job (Skill Level “A”) – such as architects, accountants, lawyers, teachers, medical workers.
- Technical job and skilled trades (Skill Level “B”) – such as chefs, plumbers, electricians.
Skilled Work Experience
Americans applying to immigrate to Canada through the CEC stream must show that, while legally working in their occupation in Canada, they performed the duties outlined in the lead statement of the NOC description for which they are applying to work in Canada, including all essential duties and most of the main duties. This experience must have been completed in the last 3 years before applying and total 1 year full-time (or equal amount in part-time).
Note: The CEC stream does not accept the following towards the minimum experience requirements: Canadian work experience gained while studying, through self-employment or during a co-op term.
Language
Applicants must take an approved language test. The evaluation determines the applicant’s competence levels in the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) for reading, writing, listening and speaking in English and/or French. These scores are used to determine whether the applicant meets the minimum communication requirements for the profession or trade he/she intends on working in upon immigrating to Canada.
The minimum requirement for NOC 0 or A jobs is level 7 in all 4 areas and for NOC B jobs is level 5 in all 4 areas. (The results are valid for 2 years after the date of the test results and must be valid on the day of application for permanent residence)
Education
For this stream there is no education requirement. However any American applicants wanting to improve their ranking in the Express Entry pool can have CRS points assigned to their past education in one of two ways:
- If the American’s past education was obtained in Canada, points can be earned for a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution or
- If the American’s past education was obtained abroad, points can be earned by having an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) completed by a designated organization, showing that the education is equal to either a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution.
Admissibility
When applying for the CEC stream, you must be admissible to Canada. In other words, you must be considered healthy and safe to immigrate. The most common reason for which American applicants are found to be inadmissible to Canada is DUI (drunk-driving). If you have a criminal conviction, you must have been approved for criminal rehabilitation in order to be granted PR in Canada.
Other reasons for which Americans may be denied admission to Canada may be:
- security reasons (i.e. espionage, violence, terrorism, war crimes, previous convictions of crimes)
- medical reasons (i.e. health conditions that are a risks to the public or cause excessive demand on health/social services)
- misrepresentation (i.e. providing false information or withholding information related to government decisions)
- having an inadmissible family member.
Note: U.S. nationals applying through the Express Entry process to immigrate to Canada through the CEC stream are not required to show they have enough money for themselves (and their family if joining them), to settle in Canada. This requirement is waived for individuals who are currently able to legally work in Canada or have a valid job offer from a Canada-based employer.
4. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program gives applicants an opportunity to apply through the Province rather than apply through a federal program such as the CEC, FSW or FST.
The Federal government allocates an immigration quota to each province and territory, allowing the province or territory to select their own immigration candidates based on their own economic needs.
There are a total of 12 provinces/territories offering their own, independent, immigration program and stream. The criteria and eligibility requirements vary for each, on their economic needs and the industries in which they need to fill shortages. Each province/territory offers anywhere from 3-8 immigration streams.
While there are over 50 PNP streams, they can be broken down into the following categories.
International Student Streams – This category of streams allows American students who have recently graduated from a Canadian college/university to apply to permanently reside in the province. Please note that the majority of International Student Streams require a job offer.
Express Entry Streams – This category of streams is for American applicants who have already created an Express Entry Profile. The applicant approaches the province or territory where they wish to immigrate to, expressing their interest. If the province or territory approves the application, the application will be allocated an additional 600 CRS points, significantly improving the overall ranking. The province or territory then sends the candidate an Invitation to Apply for PR status, nominating them as a candidate of their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs.).
Semi Skilled Streams – This category of streams allows for the province or territory to bring to Canada, semi-skilled Americans in occupations that fall under NOC C and D. This helps the province fill shortages in semi-skilled occupations.
Entrepreneur/Business Streams – This category of streams is for American entrepreneurs or investors looking to invest in one of Canada’s provincial or territorial businesses or to create a new business in a specific province or territory. In addition to the minimum criteria, the eligibility criteria require a minimum net worth and a minimum investment. The amount varies depending on the province or territory. The applicant must also create a minimum amount of full-time Canadian jobs, which also varies according to each province and territory.
After the American has been nominated by the province or territory, they become candidates and can apply for permanent residency with IRCC. This application must be submitted online or by paper depending on the immigration stream.
Doherty Fultz Immigration specializes in the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).
The OINP falls under the Express Entry stream. As an American national, once you have created your profile with IRCC, you need to contact the province of Ontario to express your interest in immigrating. The Government of Ontario will assess your application based on your skills, education and work experience to determine how you could contribute to the province. If it is determined that you meet all the criteria and your immigration to Ontario would be beneficial to the province, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency with IRCC, as a nominee of the OINP. To apply for the OINP, you must submit an online copy.
Websites, with instructions on how to apply for the OINP and other provincial or territorial programs (PNPs), please refer to the links below.
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
Note: For each province/territory to reach their specific immigration targets (i.e., students, skilled workers, business investors, etc.), each has their own streams and, accordingly, their own requirements.
While American candidates with ITAs for the OINP must apply for permanent residence online, other provinces/territories require paper copies. The process, for either online or paper based applications, is as follows:
- Paper Based
- Online Based (Express Entry: PNP stream)
Paper Based Process
If a paper based copy permanent residence application is required by the province or territory nominating the U.S. national, then the application goes via a non-Express Entry stream.
The application process for permanent residence, for provinces or territories requiring paper based applications, is as follows:
- Complete and submit the paper application package for permanent residence (which provides an instruction guide and all necessary forms), available here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/application-package-provincial-nominees.html
- Complete and submit the medical exam, available here:
- Complete and submit a police check, available here:
- Pay application fees online (including processing fees for oneself and any relative coming with the applicant, Right of Permanent Residence fee, biometric fees and applicable third-party fees)*, available here: https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/fees/pay.asp
- Submit application with proof of payment of fees to ICCRC at the location indicated in the instruction guide.
Once the fees are paid and the application is submitted, the applicant will receive a letter confirming the need for biometric data to be provided and directives on where to go. This Letter of Instruction must be provided when going to give biometrics. Locations where biometrics are collected can be found at: https://www.cic.gc.ca/englis/information/where-to-give-biometrics.asp
* Other fees that American applicants may need to pay include educational credential assessment or language testing. The instruction guide will outline what fees apply to the applicant based on their circumstances.
Online Process
If the U.S. national is interested in applying, for a nomination by a province or territory that offers the PNP through the Express Entry process has two options for submitting an application for permanent residency:
- The U.S. national needs to contact the province/territory and then applies for a nomination through the Express Entry stream. If the province/territory provides a nomination, an Express Entry profile needs to be created (or existing profiles updated) to show a nomination has been made.
- The U.S. national creates an Express Entry profile and shows provinces/territories he/she is seeking to reside that nomination is sought. When a province/territory sends a “Notification of Interest” the applicant contacts that province/territory and applies to the Express Entry stream, to await a nomination to the account, which is then accepted electronically.
Note: For either process, U.S. nationals will have to pass a medical exam and a police check, which both need to be submitted as part of the application.
Things to Keep in Mind!
! Québec does not have a PNP. Information about their immigration streams can be found at: http://www.immigration-Québec.gouv.qc.ca/en/
! Paper-based, non-Express Entry applications have longer processing times than Express Entry online applications.
! Whichever process you apply through, you have to meet the eligibility requirement(s) of the province/territory you are applying to reside in.
! Regardless of which process you apply through, if you receive an ITA you must submit an electronic application for permanent residency to IRCC.
! When applying for the PNP stream, you must be admissible to Canada. In other words, you must be considered healthy and safe to immigrate. Reasons for which applicants may be denied admission to Canada may be security reasons (i.e. espionage, violence, terrorism, war crimes, previous convictions of crimes), medical reasons (i.e. health conditions that are a risk to the public or cause excessive demand on health/social services), misrepresentation (i.e. providing false information or withholding information related to government decisions) or having an inadmissible family member.
! Misrepresentation, by not being truthful on an application, by withholding pertinent information or answering dishonestly, could result in a refusal of the application, making the U.S. applying inadmissible and possibly barring him/her from applying for resident status for up to 5 years.
