Express Entry improvements: Spring 2017

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Backgrounder

Express Entry is Canada’s flagship application management system for key economic immigration programs, including the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program.

Programs managed through the Express Entry system attract high-skilled foreign workers who want to live in Canada permanently and whose in-demand skills are needed by employers across the country to help build businesses and grow the economy.

Express Entry remains unchanged until the improvements below are implemented on June 6, 2017. At that time, Ministerial Instructions with further details will also be published in the Canada Gazette and on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.

Before June 6, 2017	After June 6, 2017
No additional points for candidates with strong French language skills. The Express Entry system currently awards points for language ability in either of Canada’s two official languages—English or French. Candidates can get up to 136 points for their first official language and up to 24 points for their second official language. There are no changes planned for these points, and they will continue to be awarded by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) before and after June 6, 2017. Further details on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) are on our website.	Additional points for candidates with strong French language skills, with more additional points going to candidates who also have English language skills On June 6, 2017, Express Entry candidates with strong French language skills, with or without English language skills, will be awarded additional points by the CRS. A total of 15 additional points will be awarded for test results of the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NLC) at level 7 in all four language skills in French (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and an English test result of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 or lower. A total of 30 additional points will be awarded for test results of the NLC at level 7 in all four skills in French and English test results of CLB 5 or higher. French-speaking newcomers contribute to the growth, vitality and prosperity of Francophone minority communities across Canada.
No points for candidates with siblings in Canada The Express Entry system does not award any points to candidates with siblings in Canada.	Additional points for candidates with siblings in Canada On June 6, 2017, the Express Entry system will award 15 points to candidates with siblings in Canada. To get these points, candidates will need to show that the sibling is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is living in Canada and is 18 years of age or older. The sibling in Canada must share a mother or father with the principal Express Entry applicant or their spouse or common-law partner. This relationship can be through blood, marriage, common-law partnership or adoption. Having a sibling in Canada has been shown to improve health and social outcomes by accelerating a newcomer’s integration into their new life in Canada.
Job Bank registration required After completing a profile, a candidate must create a Job Bank account if they do not have a valid job offer or a provincial or territorial nomination before they are placed in the pool and become eligible for an invitation round.	Job Bank registration voluntary On June 6, 2017, Job Bank registration for Express Entry candidates becomes voluntary for all candidates. Candidates who meet the minimum entry criteria for Express Entry will be automatically placed into the pool and immediately eligible for invitation rounds. If they do not currently have a job in Canada and would like to start their job search, they will be able to register for Job Bank. Employers will still be able to use all of their existing recruiting methods, including Job Bank, to find Express Entry candidates.

Before June 6, 2017

After June 6, 2017

No additional points for candidates with strong French language skills.

The Express Entry system currently awards points for language ability in either of Canada’s two official languages—English or French.

Candidates can get up to 136 points for their first official language and up to 24 points for their second official language.

There are no changes planned for these points, and they will continue to be awarded by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) before and after June 6, 2017.

Further details on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) are on our website.

Additional points for candidates with strong French language skills, with more additional points going to candidates who also have English language skills

On June 6, 2017, Express Entry candidates with strong French language skills, with or without English language skills, will be awarded additional points by the CRS.

A total of 15 additional points will be awarded for test results of the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NLC) at level 7 in all four language skills in French (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and an English test result of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 or lower.

A total of 30 additional points will be awarded for test results of the NLC at level 7 in all four skills in French and English test results of CLB 5 or higher.

French-speaking newcomers contribute to the growth, vitality and prosperity of Francophone minority communities across Canada.

No points for candidates with siblings in Canada

The Express Entry system does not award any points to candidates with siblings in Canada.

Additional points for candidates with siblings in Canada

On June 6, 2017, the Express Entry system will award 15 points to candidates with siblings in Canada.

To get these points, candidates will need to show that the sibling is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is living in Canada and is 18 years of age or older.

The sibling in Canada must share a mother or father with the principal Express Entry applicant or their spouse or common-law partner. This relationship can be through blood, marriage, common-law partnership or adoption.

Having a sibling in Canada has been shown to improve health and social outcomes by accelerating a newcomer’s integration into their new life in Canada.

Job Bank registration required

After completing a profile, a candidate must create a Job Bank account if they do not have a valid job offer or a provincial or territorial nomination before they are placed in the pool and become eligible for an invitation round.

Job Bank registration voluntary

On June 6, 2017, Job Bank registration for Express Entry candidates becomes voluntary for all candidates.

Candidates who meet the minimum entry criteria for Express Entry will be automatically placed into the pool and immediately eligible for invitation rounds. If they do not currently have a job in Canada and would like to start their job search, they will be able to register for Job Bank.

Employers will still be able to use all of their existing recruiting methods, including Job Bank, to find Express Entry candidates.