If you are from Sri Lanka looking out for a work permit in Canada, this article is for you. Here, you can find all the relevant information on express entry, permanent residence, eligibility, and application process.

What is Express Entry?

Canadian immigration express entry is an online process through which the Canadian government manages applications for permanent residence. Here, you have to acquire an invitation from the concerned authority to make an application. If you have received one, ensure that you complete it within 60 days. If not, your application will become invalid.

The Canadian government will be sending you this invite based on your score. Once you have applied, the authorities will take around six months to respond. However, you can obtain this work permit in Canada with the option for permanent residence only if you have provided all the essential supporting documents. Even then, it is the decision of the authorities based on your score and eligibility.

Recently, regarding Canada work visa, Canada visa application, and Canada immigration express entry, there have been some changes in the guidelines. The government has implemented new regulations on express entry and others because of the Covid-19 protocol. Thus, ensure that you complete the application within the time frame mentioned by the authorities.

Besides, you have to answer all the questions truthfully, completely and fill in all the mandatory fields. If you fail to complete the form or miss out on any essential questions, there is a high chance of rejecting your application.

Remember that you don’t have to fill in all the information in one go. You have the option to save the information and continue later based on your convenience.

Who is Eligible to Apply for Express Entry in Canada?

When it comes to express entry in Canada, you have to choose a migration program based on your skills. There are three, and they are the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.

If you are from Sri Lanka and trying to apply for a Canadian work visa or Canadian immigration express entry, you should look into these three programs. Here, the immigration department approves your express entry application based on your eligibility.

Now, we will look into the eligibility criteria for each of these programs to provide you with clarity while applying for a work permit in Canada.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

The Federal Skilled Worker Program is applicable for those who have foreign work experience. Hence, if you are applying from Sri Lanka without any prior job experience in Canada, you should opt for this program. Here, the immigration department will look into your skilled work experience, education, and language ability.

For skilled experience, you have to hold a job role in managerial, professional, technical, and skilled trades. Besides, you should have completed all of your assigned jobs and must have continuous work experience. It has to be 30 hours per week, and you can obtain it with a full-time job, a part-time, or full time in two job roles.

In case you are a student, you need to have a continuous paid experience. Here, the authorities won’t consider volunteer activities and unpaid internships.

While applying for a Canadian work permit, the authorities will look into your language abilities. Here, you need to have a score of seven, which is the Canadian Language Benchmark for English or French. The focus of this test will be on your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, and the score of this test will be valid only for two years while applying.

Another essential factor is your education while applying for Canada immigration express entry. If you have studied in Canada, you have to furnish the details for the same. If you have completed your education in a foreign university, you should provide equivalence and credentials to support it.

Besides, you should have enough funds to support your family as well. When you apply for express entry through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you should get 67 points in 100 point grading.

Federal Skilled Trades Program

While moving forward with your Canada visa application, you can also opt for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. However, it is applicable only when you have a valid full-time job offer for at least one year. Here, you have to facilitate your qualification certificate offered by the Canadian government.

This category includes butchers, bakers, chefs, cooks, supervisors, technical, maintenance, equipment operation trades, construction, industrial electrical trades, etc. Here, ensure that you have completed all the essential duties in your previous position. Along with this, you have to show your job experience while applying for a work permit in Canada.

For education, if you have completed your studies in Sri Lanka, you have to prove the equivalence certificate. If you have finished your education in Canada, provide the certificates from your educational institute.

Language ability is essential while applying for a Canadian work permit. Here, ensure that you have a score of five for speaking and listening. For writing and reading, it has to be at least four.

Canadian Experience Class

It is applicable for those who have work experience in Canada and have met the language requirements. For this, you have to be in Canada for at least three years with a year’s skilled work experience. Here, you should have also completed 1560 working hours in a year.

You have to be working with authorization in managerial, professional, technical, or skilled trades. Even though your educational qualifications may not be an issue, you can include them to increase your point while applying for Canadian immigration express entry.

How to Apply for Express Entry from Sri Lanka?

While applying for Canada immigration express entry from Sri Lanka, here is how you can do it.

1. You have to receive an invitation to apply, which is valid only for 60 days.
2. Next, you have to sign in to your account online and opt for permanent residence under express entry.
3. You have to provide all the relevant information and documents required. Ensure that you complete all the fields while filling the application form.
4. Once you have completed it, you have to check your application, as it will take around six months for processing.

However, you don’t have to worry about anything while applying for Canada immigration express entry or Canada visa application. You can always reach out to Archway International and get the required assistance.