Life in Canada
Evaluating the Costs and Benefits of the Express Entry Stream for Newcomers
The decision to immigrate to Canada can significantly impact the quality of your education, health care, earnings, and life in general.
According to a 2020 study by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), 95% of PR applicants via Express Entry were economically established. The majority of them (83% of them) worked in their primary fields, with nearly half of them in professions that usually required a degree from a university (TEER 1). In addition, successful applicants were earning more than the average Canadian worker.
Considering this, it is vital to take note that there are expenses related to the Express entry application process. So, if you want to immigrate to Canada via the express entry stream, you should know the costs and benefits attached to the route.
Overview of Express Entry System
Canada’s Express Entry immigration program is one of the fastest options for newcomers. The system uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to evaluate the profiles of the candidates. Here, the highest-scoring candidates shall receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
After receiving an ITA, you will need to accept this invitation to move one step closer to getting PR. Also, within 60 days you will need to submit the requested documents to complete your PR application.
Required Documents
- A valid passport copy;
- A copy of your birth certificate;
- Documents of work experience;
- Medical exam conducted by an approved panel physician;
- Police clearance certificates.
Other Documentation
- A letter of attestation from the candidate’s employer;
- Official transcripts of post-secondary study program course taken;
- Proof of family relationships in Canada;
- Copies of work contracts;
- Copies of pay stubs;
- Documents relating to income taxation.
These documents will depend on which stream of Express Entry you have applied to.
The Costs Behind Applying for Express Entry
As with submitting an express entry profile, you will face peripheral costs in getting all the necessary documents. Two common cost models are;
Medical Examination Costs
The main part of costs here is generally caused for Immigration Medical Exams (IME). The costs associated here will include additional tests or treatments that need to be paid at that time. In addition, these exam results are valid for up to 1 year.
Here’s the rough layout of the pricing scheme (cost as per an applicant’s age)
| Age (Years) | Price in Canadian Dollars |
| 0-4 | $100 |
| 5-10 | $140 |
| 11-14 | $160 |
| 15-69 | $180 |
| 70+ | $230 |
Note: The exact IME price may slightly vary.
Police Clearance Certificates
The expense for police checks and clearance documents is broken down into federal processing and local processing fees. While the federal processing fee ($25) is waived for applicants who need the record check for immigration and citizenship purposes – the local processing fees will still apply. These costs vary, though often fall between $30-35.
The Cost of Successful Immigration
Once you get the PR status, you are required to pay the final cost for the Right of Permanent Residence Fee of $515.
Additional Benefits for New PRs
The newcomers to Canada after successfully applying for the Express Entry program will also be entitled to certain rights and privileges. Such benefits will include reduced college and schooling costs, access to universal public medical care, social projects, and life in the most desirable country.
