How to become a permanent resident in Canada?

A teacher and her students preparing for the IELTS.

In this article, we will explore all you must know about Express Entry to become a permanent resident in Canada. Get to know which IELTS test suits you best.

Becoming a permanent resident in Canada via Express Entry by taking IELTS

Canada, renowned for its welcoming immigration policies and diverse cultural tapestry, continues to attract individuals from around the globe seeking opportunities for a better life. Among the various pathways to settling in the Great White North, the Express Entry system stands out as an efficient way to become a permanent resident in Canada.

For those aspiring to embark on this journey, proficiency in the English language, as assessed through exams like IELTS, can significantly boost their chances of success.

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Understanding the Express Entry System for becoming a permanent resident in Canada

The Express Entry system serves as the primary avenue for skilled workers to immigrate to the country. Managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), it operates through a points-based system known as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which considers the following aspects:

Core human capital factors: age, official language proficiency (English or French), Canadian work experience, and education, among others. For more information, you can check the IRCC website here.
Skills transferability: characteristics contributing to a candidate's adaptability and potential success in the Canadian labor market. Another factor that determines your eligibility is occupation and under which TEER category it falls (you can look at it here).
Additional factors: for example, having a job offer or provincial nomination, which can significantly boost a candidate's CRS score.

How does the Express Entry process work?

The Express Entry process unfolds in several key stages:

Candidates determine their eligibility for the Express Entry programs.
Eligible applicants create an online Express Entry profile.
Upon submission of their profile, aspirants receive a CRS score.
Solicitants enter the Express Entry pool, where they are ranked against other applicants based on their CRS scores.
Candidates with high CRS scores may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) during regular Express Entry draws conducted by the IRCC.
Upon receiving an ITA, aspirants have a limited time to submit a complete application.

How is the Express Entry System formed?

It is composed of three main immigration programs:

Program	Description and requirements
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)	· Tailored for skilled workers with work experience. · Demonstrate that you performed one of the duties listed on the National Occupation Classification (NOC). You must have gained that experience within the last 10 years. · Provide a language certification. · Meet education requirements.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)	· Geared towards skilled tradespersons with at least 2 years of work experience in a qualifying skilled trade. · Demonstrate that you performed the duties listed on the National Occupation Classification (NOC), which fall under TEER 2 or 3. · Have a full-time job offer or certificate of qualification. · Provide a language certification, like the IELTS test.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)	· Targeting individuals with at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada. · Meet the language abilities required and provide an English certification to prove it, like the IELTS from the British Council. · Demonstrate that you performed the duties listed on the National Occupation Classification (NOC).

You can delve deeper into the specific modality in which you fulfill all demands to become a permanent resident in Canada.

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Which IELTS exam should you take?

The IELTS test is key to succeed in the Express Entry process to become a permanent resident in Canada as language skills directly contribute to your CRS score.

By taking the exam with the British Council, you count on the support of an organization with more than 80 years of experience in English language and culture.

Among the two available versions, General Training is specifically designed to assess the English language skills needed for everyday contexts, making it a fitting choice for immigration purposes.

How can IELTS General Training boost your CRS score?

Scoring well in the IELTS General Training exam can significantly enhance your CRS score, thereby increasing your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for becoming a permanent resident in Canada.

The exam evaluates four key language skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Achieving high scores in each of these modules can earn you valuable CRS points.

What about the sections?

Let’s explore each section of the exam, so that you know what to expect.

Listening

The listening section takes 30 minutes to complete.
You will encounter 40 questions, and there are 4 sections in total.
The first recording involves a conversation between two people in a daily context.
The second one is a monologue in an everyday situation.
The third recording is a conversation between up to 4 people in an academic setting.
The fourth one is a monologue about an academic subject.

Writing

The writing section takes 60 minutes to complete.
You will encounter two tasks. In the first one, you must write a letter in response to a situation presented to you. In the second one, you must write an essay on a topic provided in your paper.

Reading

The reading section takes 60 minutes to complete.
You will encounter 40 questions.
This part breaks into 3 sections: in the first one, you will find 2 or 3 short factual texts related to everyday life topics. The second one includes 2 short factual texts about work-related topics. The last text is the longest one on a general interest topic.

Speaking

The speaking section takes between 11 and 14 minutes and is face-to-face with the examiner.
It is divided into 3 parts: in the first one, the examiner will ask questions about you and your family. The second one is about a topic chosen by the examiner, and the third one involves a deeper conversation about the previous one.

Now you have a wider overview to become a permanent resident in Canada through Express Entry. Keep in mind that the IELTS exam is your best ally to reach your goals!

References:
Immigration, R. A. C. C. (2024, January 4). How Express Entry works. Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/works.html