I have created an Express Entry profile but I haven’t been selected yet? What’s Next?

“I have created an Express Entry profile but how come I haven’t been selected yet?” This has been frequently asked in the forums. Due to the frequency, we would like to shed some light to this issue by sharing some personal experiences.

The Express Entry pool is the Canadian Government’s way to manage applications for permanent residence for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program and Canadian Experience Class. Each applicant will be ranked in the Express Entry pool using a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS gives each applicant a score based on 5 factors: Age, Education, Language, Work Experience at Connection in Canada.

Most of the factors are self-explanatory but for more information, you can visit the Express Entry page  Included in the factors that can give you extra points is having a sibling in Canada who is either a Permanent Resident or a Citizen. Another factors that can give you extra points is Canadian Education and Canadian Work Experience. Unfortunately, most of aspiring applicants do not have any of those to get extra points.

*Note that you should aim for a CRS score of at least 450-500 to surely get an invitation to apply. Curious about what score you might get, visit this link

Based on the experiences shared within the group, after filling in all the basic or core factors, they would possibly get a score that is below 400. What else can help them get more points? Read on below.

1. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Nomination: PNP nomination gives you 600 points so you will surely get an invitation to apply. So how do you apply for PNP? You should have an active EE profile. It truly is just a waiting game. There are times that there will be openings but within 24 hours they can already be gone. If you want to apply, make sure you have all your requirements ready and always check their website for updates.

2. Job Offers – A Job Offer can give you 50-200 points. However, it is challenging to find a job while you’re in Canada so it will more challenging to find a job while you’re outside of Canada. Nonetheless, don’t lose hope because there is a chance that you can get a job offer. There’s no harm in trying.

3. For those who are married or in a common-law relationship, let your partner take the ECA and/or IELTS as well. There was a case where we were able to help a married couple get a higher CRS score through self-assessment by using the other person’s credentials. You can try to use your partner’s credentials and you might find out that you can get a higher CRS score if the other one is the principal applicant. Even if you are married, you and your partner can create separate EE profiles and try the self-assessment to compare.

4. Others suggest to retake the IELTS exam. However, this would require time and money on your end but you never know, you might get a higher EILTS score that can give you a higher CRS score.

5. Re-evaluate your ECA. Yes, we have encountered more than a couple of applicants who had their ECAs re-assessed by different institutions and they both got different results. You can check the forum for this topic so can better follow their case.

If you are considering other ways to get to Canada, you may want to consider the Study Route. This will be different from the Express Entry pool but this is another option for you to gain residency for Canada. This is not a common route to take but according to the CIC stats, more and more people have tried this route and gained their permanent residency. However, thsi would require a lot of your financial resources, and we are talking about Millions of pesos.

#RealTalk

I am an Advocate of Do-It-Yourself (DIY), #Jonats. If it is a straight-forward application process, I hihgly suggest that you do it yourself. Even my friends, which is a consultant would suggest that. The programs can be complicated and the process can be confusing but if you have time to spare, just read up on the programs and process on their website because everything you need to know is right there. Although, if you really do not have the time to do it on your own, here are two things I can advise you:

Before you enroll with an immigration agent or consultant, please do a self-evaluation first. If you are a member of the Facebook group, you can check the pinned posts because all the basic information you need to know is there.

The agent or consultant will usually tell you that you are indeed eligble for the Express Entry pool. What does that mean for you? Let me put it this way. The Express Entry pool is like a raffle promo that you have to join and you are eligible to put in your name. Being eligible is just putting in your name into the bowl. You are not guaranteed a spot to be invited to apply to any programs unless you rank high in the pool. There are other applicants who may or may not be higher in rank than you but you can try to work towards the higher ranking.

I truly hope this information helps. If you need more information from other people with experience, join our group and forum.

#Jonats