Immigration Announcement
Express Entry: Can You Have More Than One Profile?
The journey to Canadian permanent residency via Express Entry demands a strategic approach. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) in your Express Entry Profile becomes the focal point. It assesses factors such as education, skills, work experience, and language proficiency to determine your standing in the pool of potential candidates.
Understanding the Rules
The Government of Canada explicitly states that individuals can maintain only one active Express Entry profile simultaneously. Duplicating profiles won’t enhance your chances or open doors under a different program, emphasizing the importance of a well-crafted single profile.
Insights from 2023
Recent data reveals a surge in duplicate profiles during 2022, reaching 29,945 by January 9, 2023. While 70% showed consistent CRS scores, 53% remained inactive for 100 days, suggesting abandonment. The uptick in duplications around the November 16th deadline for NOC 2021 updates warrants a potential cleanup by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Express Entry Eligibility Criteria
To enter Express Entry, candidates must meet criteria from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). FSWP, as the primary pathway, mandates at least one year of relevant work experience, language proficiency, and educational qualifications, accumulating a minimum of 67 points.
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- One year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the past decade in NOC TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3.
- Intermediate or better language ability in English or French.
- Educational credential and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report for candidates educated outside Canada.
- Attainment of at least 67 points under the FSWP points grid.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Minimum one year of skilled, professional, or technical work experience in Canada within 3 years of application.
- Meeting language proficiency criteria.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- A minimum of 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade within the last 5 years.
- Fulfillment of job requirements for the skilled trade.
- A full-time job offer in Canada for at least 1 year or possession of a certificate of qualification in the skilled trade from an official Canadian authority.
- Meeting language proficiency criteria.
In summary, quality trumps quantity in Express Entry profiles. Stay informed, maintain compliance, and embark on your journey with a meticulously crafted single profile.
