Many young Nigerians are tapping into the Canada Express Entry program in their quest for greener pastures. It is easier to get a permanent Canadian visa through this route because the program favors young and well-educated immigrants. The processing time is also faster than other migration methods—within six months of applying, you can find yourself living in Canada if you meet the requirements.
How Exactly Does The Canadian Express Entry work?
Express Entry is basically an online system where skilled workers can send their applications for permanent residence in Canada. There are various programs under Express Entry that you can go through: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Provincial Nominee Program.
You will have to check which of the programs you are eligible for before applying. Read the requirements of each program and answer some questions to find out if you meet the basic requirements.
Next step is to start getting your documents ready, documents that will make you eligible for Express Entry. Documents like language test results, educational degree, certificates and so on.
After that’s done, you go to the Canada Express Entry site and submit your profile, you will be tested and scored based on the information you have on your profile. Express Entry pool uses a point-based system to rank you. You will be accepted into the pool of candidates if you are found eligible. If you go through the Provincial Nominee Program and a province in Canada nominates you because you have the kind of skills they need in their province, you can score up to 600 points—increasing your chances to get an invitation to apply.
Candidates who score the highest in the pool will be sent an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada. The invitation is open for the duration of 60 days. If your application is complete and accurate, it will be processed within 6 months or less. Once approved to be a permanent resident in Canada, you will receive a Permanent Resident Card.
With a Permanent Resident Card, you will enjoy almost all the privileges that citizens of Canada enjoy except voting rights and unlimited stays. The Canada Permanent Resident Card has to be renewed after 5 years.
There are other ways to get a permanent Canadian visa but going through the VisaPlace Express Entry Application Service quickly gets you into the pool.