Thinking about immigrating to Canada through Express Entry? How much money required for express entry? One of the most important questions you’ll likely have is, “How much money will I need?” From application fees to settling costs, understanding the financial requirements is crucial for planning your journey.
Whether you’re a single applicant or moving with your family, knowing the expenses involved will help you prepare for a smoother transition to Canada. In this post, we’ll break down the costs associated with the Express Entry process, including application fees, proof of funds, and other essential expenses you should consider.
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How much does Express Entry cost?
Applying for Canada’s Express Entry involves several costs that applicants should anticipate. The primary expenses include the application processing fee of CAD 850 and the Right of Permanent Residence fee of CAD 515. Additionally, candidates must budget for language proficiency tests, such as the IELTS, which cost approximately CAD 315.
An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is also necessary, typically costing around CAD 255. Furthermore, applicants are required to undergo a medical examination, with fees varying by country but averaging around CAD 200.
It’s important to note that these figures are approximate and can vary based on individual circumstances and service providers. Planning for these expenses is crucial to ensure a smooth application process.
Fees for Express Entry
Applying for Canada’s Express Entry system involves several fees that applicants should be prepared for.
1. Application Processing Fee: For the principal applicant, this fee is CAD 850. If you’re including a spouse or common-law partner, their processing fee is also CAD 850. Each dependent child incurs a fee of CAD 230.
2. Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): This fee is CAD 515 for the principal applicant and an additional CAD 515 for a spouse or partner. Dependent children are exempt from this fee.
3. Biometrics Fee: Most applicants between the ages of 14 and 79 are required to provide biometrics, which costs CAD 85 per person. A family applying together can pay a maximum of CAD 170.
4. Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): If your education was completed outside Canada, you’ll need an ECA to verify its equivalence to Canadian standards. The cost varies depending on the designated organization but typically ranges from CAD 200 to CAD 300.
5. Language Proficiency Tests: Proving proficiency in English or French is mandatory. Tests like the IELTS or CELPIP for English, and TEF or TCF for French, generally cost between CAD 250 and CAD 350.
6. Medical Examination: All applicants must undergo a medical exam by an approved panel physician. The cost varies by country but typically ranges from CAD 200 to CAD 300.
7. Police Certificates: Applicants must provide police certificates from each country where they’ve lived for six months or more since the age of 18. The fees for obtaining these certificates vary by country.
It’s important to note that these fees are subject to change, and additional costs may arise depending on individual circumstances. Planning and budgeting for these expenses will help ensure a smoother application process.
How can I apply for Express Entry?
Applying for Canada’s Express Entry system involves several key steps.
1. Determine Your Eligibility: Express Entry manages applications for three programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Each has specific criteria related to work experience, education, and language proficiency. You can assess your eligibility using the Come to Canada tool.
2. Gather Necessary Documents:
Language Tests: Prove your proficiency in English or French by taking approved tests like IELTS or CELPIP for English, and TEF or TCF for French.
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): If your education was completed outside Canada, obtain an ECA to verify its equivalence to Canadian standards.
Proof of Funds: Demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself and your family upon arrival in Canada.
3. Create an Express Entry Profile: Once you have your documents, create an online profile through the IRCC secure account. You’ll provide details about your skills, work experience, language abilities, education, and other personal information. Based on this, you’ll receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
4. Enter the Express Entry Pool: With a valid profile, you’ll be placed in the pool of candidates. Regular draws are conducted, and candidates with the highest CRS scores receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.
5. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): If you receive an ITA, you’ll have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence. Ensure all information is accurate and all required documents are uploaded.
6. Submit Your Application: After submitting your application, it will be processed, and you’ll be notified of the decision. Most complete applications are processed within six months.
Throughout this process, it’s crucial to provide accurate information and keep your profile up to date. Regularly check for updates and ensure you meet all deadlines to enhance your chances of a successful application.
What are the requirements for Express Entry?
Applying for Canada’s Express Entry system requires meeting specific criteria across several key areas:
1. Work Experience: You need at least one year of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid work experience in a skilled occupation within the last ten years. This experience must align with the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3.
2. Language Proficiency: Demonstrating proficiency in English or French is essential. You’ll need to take an approved language test and achieve a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7 for NOC TEER categories 0 or 1, and CLB 5 for TEER categories 2 or 3.
3. Education: If your education was completed outside Canada, you must obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to verify that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate is equivalent to a Canadian credential.
4. Proof of Funds: Unless you have a valid job offer or are applying under the Canadian Experience Class, you must show that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself and your family upon arrival in Canada.
5. Admissibility: You must be admissible to Canada, meaning you have no criminal record and are in good health.
Meeting these requirements makes you eligible to enter the Express Entry pool. However, receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence depends on your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which considers factors like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
How long does Express Entry take?
In addition to the question how much money required for express entry?, this question arises in the minds of many people who ask, How long does Express Entry take?”
Applying for Canada’s Express Entry system involves several stages, each with its own timeline.
1. Profile Submission: Once you’ve determined your eligibility and gathered the necessary documents, you can create and submit your Express Entry profile. This step is immediate, but preparing the required documents, such as language test results and Educational Credential Assessments (ECA), can take several weeks.
2. Invitation to Apply (ITA): After submitting your profile, you’ll enter the pool of candidates. The time spent in the pool varies based on your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and the frequency of draws. Some candidates receive an ITA within weeks, while others may wait several months.
3. Application Submission: Upon receiving an ITA, you have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence.
4. Application Processing: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to process most Express Entry applications within six months from the date of submission. However, processing times can vary based on individual circumstances and the volume of applications.
Do I need a job offer for Express Entry?
You do not need a job offer to apply for Canada’s Express Entry system. Many candidates successfully receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence without one.
However, having a valid job offer can significantly enhance your CRS score, thereby improving your chances of receiving an ITA.
A valid job offer must be full-time, non-seasonal, and for at least one year. It should be in a skilled occupation classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3. Additionally, the job offer typically requires a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) unless exempt.
While a job offer can boost your CRS score by 50 to 200 points, depending on the position, it’s not mandatory for Express Entry eligibility. Candidates without job offers can still achieve competitive CRS scores through factors like language proficiency, education, and work experience.
What is the difference between Express Entry eligibility points and CRS score?
When navigating Canada’s Express Entry system, it’s essential to understand the distinction between eligibility points and the CRS score. Both play pivotal roles in the immigration process but serve different purposes.
Eligibility Points: These points determine if you qualify to enter the Express Entry pool, specifically under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). The FSWP assesses candidates based on six selection factors:
1. Language Skills: Proficiency in English and/or French.
2. Education: Academic qualifications.
3. Work Experience: Duration and relevance of professional experience.
4. Age: Applicant’s age at the time of application.
5. Arranged Employment: Valid job offers in Canada.
6. Adaptability: Factors that help you adapt to life in Canada, such as previous study or work experience in the country.
To qualify for the FSWP, you must score at least 67 out of 100 points based on these factors.
CRS Score: Once deemed eligible and entered into the Express Entry pool, candidates are ranked using the CRS. The CRS evaluates:
Core/Human Capital Factors: Age, education, language proficiency, and Canadian work experience.
Spouse or Common-Law Partner Factors: Their education, language skills, and Canadian work experience.
Skill Transferability: Combination of education, foreign work experience, and certificates.
Additional Points: Factors like a valid job offer, provincial nomination, Canadian education, siblings in Canada, and strong French language skills.
The CRS score can reach up to 1,200 points. During periodic draws, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invites candidates with the highest CRS scores to apply for permanent residence.
Key Differences:
Purpose: Eligibility points assess if you can enter the Express Entry pool; the CRS score ranks you within that pool.
Scoring Systems: Eligibility points have a maximum of 100, with a passing mark of 67. The CRS score has a maximum of 1,200.
Application Stage: Eligibility points are evaluated before entering the pool; the CRS score is calculated after you’re in the pool.
Who needs proof of funds
When applying for Canada’s Express Entry system, the requirement to provide proof of funds depends on the specific immigration program and your employment situation:
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): Applicants under these programs must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their families upon arrival in Canada.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Applicants under this program are exempt from providing proof of funds.
Applicants with a Valid Job Offer: If you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer and are authorized to work in Canada, you are not required to show proof of funds, even if applying under the FSWP or FSTP.
It’s important to note that the amount required as proof of funds is updated annually and varies based on family size. For instance, as of June 3, 2024, a single applicant needs to show CAD 14,690, while a family of four requires CAD 27,297.
Ensuring you meet the proof of funds requirement is crucial for a successful application, so it’s advisable to stay updated with the latest figures and guidelines.
How much money you should bring
When planning your move to Canada, it’s essential to bring sufficient funds to support yourself and your family during the initial settlement period. And one of the main questions is how much money required for express entry?
The Canadian government sets minimum required amounts, known as proof of funds, which vary based on family size. As of June 3, 2024, the required funds are:
- 1 family member: CAD 14,690
- 2 family members: CAD 18,288
- 3 family members: CAD 22,483
- 4 family members: CAD 27,297
- 5 family members: CAD 30,690
- 6 family members: CAD 34,917
- 7 family members: CAD 38,875
- Each additional family member: Add CAD 3,958
These amounts are updated annually to reflect changes in the cost of living. It’s advisable to bring more than the minimum required funds to ensure a comfortable transition.
Research the cost of living in the specific area where you plan to settle, as expenses can vary significantly across provinces and cities. Bringing additional funds can help cover unforeseen expenses and provide a financial cushion as you establish yourself in your new community.
Conclusion
Now by reading this article you know how much money required for express entry. We tried to answer this question. Preparing for Express Entry isn’t just about meeting eligibility requirements—it’s also about being financially ready.
From the initial application fees to the proof of funds required to settle in Canada, each step comes with its own costs. By planning ahead and budgeting appropriately, you can ensure a hassle-free application process and a comfortable start to your new life.
Remember, these expenses are investments in your future, opening the door to countless opportunities in one of the world’s most welcoming countries. Ready to take the first step? Start planning today!
