What's an Express Entry round?
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, Albert is a Member in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) and the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC). He is also a Certified International Student Advisor.
You've probably already heard of Express Entry, especially if you dream of living and working in Canada. But when you start researching, you soon come across a term that's a bit vague: the " Round Express Entry" . What is it exactly? What's it for? Can you be part of it? And most importantly... how does it work?
Don't panic! We'll explain it all right here, just as if we were chatting over a cup of coffee.
🚀 Express Entry, what's that again?
Before talking about rounds, we need to understand what Entrée Express is.
Express Entry is an online system set up by the Canadian government to manage economic immigration applications. Basically, it's like a huge digital queue where people who want to immigrate register. But don't worry, it's not "first come, first served". No, it's a points-based system with random draws.
Candidates create a profile, answering questions about their age, level of education, work experience, English or French language skills, and so on. Based on their answers, they receive a score in the candidate pool.
The higher your score, the more likely you are to be invited to apply for permanent residency. And that's where the famous...
🎯 What exactly is the Express Entry round?
An Express Entry round, also known as tirage in French or draw in English, is a regular event during which the Government of Canada selects the best candidates from the Express Entry pool.
💡 In a nutshell: an Express Entry round is a random draw from the pool of candidates, based on their score at the time of the draw.
Here's how it works:
- The government sets a points threshold.
- All applicants with a score equal to or above this threshold receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) to become a permanent resident.
- These rounds can take place every two weeks (in general), but the frequency can vary.
📅 How often do the rounds take place?
There's no official schedule, but Express Entry rounds are often held every two weeks, usually on Wednesdays. Sometimes there are surprises: several rounds in one week or targeted draws.
For example, a round may target only qualified healthcare workers or only French speakers.
And yes, since 2023, Canada has also been running category-based draws to meet specific labor market needs. So, even if your score isn't very high, you could still be invited if you fall into a sought-after category.
📈 What criteria are taken into account in a round?
Standard rounds use only the overall score.
But there are now several types of rounds:
- General draws: this applies to everyone, regardless of profession or language.
- Program-specific draws: targeting, for example, skilled workers in the federal program.
- Category draws: targeted at specific groups (e.g. in-demand trades, French speakers).
So the right question to ask yourself is:
Are you in a priority category?
💼 Want to be invited? Here's how to maximize your chances
You're probably wondering, "How can I get a good score to be selected for an Express Entry round?" Here are some practical tips:
- Improve your language skills (IELTS, TEF Canada...)
- Evaluate your foreign qualifications (EDE)
- Add Canadian work experience, if you have it
- Your age also plays a role: the younger you are, the more points you earn.
👉 A little tip: Some candidates create a couple profile to combine the strengths of both partners.
🤔 What happens after you've been selected in a round?
If you're lucky and invited to apply, you have 60 days to submit all the necessary documents to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
You have to prove everything you've put in your profile: diplomas, experience, language tests, background, etc.
Then... you have to be patient. The answer usually takes 6 months or less, hence the name "Express entry.
🔄 And if you're not selected?
Don't panic, your profile remains valid for one year. And you can :
- Update your profile at any time (e.g.: new language test, diploma...)
- Waiting for the next rounds
- Improve your score
Many candidates end up receiving an invitation by dint of perseverance.
✅ Summary
Now you know what an Express Entry round is!
It's a regular draw, based on your profile and CRS score, that can qualify you to apply for permanent residency in Canada.
Keep these points in mind:
- Create a good Express Entry profile
- Stay tuned for rounds
- Improve your score
- Be patient and strategic
The system may seem complex at first, but once you understand the rules of the game, everything becomes clearer. And who knows? The next round could well be yours!
