Your Immigration Questions Answered

There is no fixed minimum CRS score. The cutoff varies with each draw, typically ranging from 470-500+ points. The score depends on factors like your age, education, language skills, work experience, and job offer. Recent draws have seen scores between 480-500 points.

Tips to improve your score:

• Improve language test scores (IELTS/CELPIP/TEF)
• Obtain additional education credentials
• Gain more work experience
• Get a provincial nomination (+600 points)
• Secure a valid job offer (+50-200 points)

Express Entry processing typically takes 6 months or less from the time you submit your complete application after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Timeline breakdown:

• Profile creation: Immediate
• Waiting for ITA: 2 weeks to several months
• Document preparation: 2-4 weeks
• Application processing: 6 months maximum

Yes! A job offer is not required for Express Entry. Most successful candidates receive invitations without job offers through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

However, a valid job offer can significantly boost your CRS score by 50-200 points depending on the position level.

The financial requirements for study permits vary by province and family size:

• Tuition fees: Full amount for first year
• Living expenses: CAD $10,000-15,000 per year (varies by province)
• Additional for family: CAD $4,000 for spouse, CAD $3,000 per child
• Quebec: Additional CAD $2,000 for living expenses

Total typically ranges from CAD $25,000-50,000 depending on program and location.

Yes! International students can work with certain conditions:

• On-campus work: Unlimited hours
• Off-campus work: Up to 20 hours/week during studies, unlimited during breaks
• Co-op/internships: With work permit if part of study program

You must be a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI).

LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is a document that Canadian employers need to hire foreign workers. It proves that hiring a foreign worker will have a positive or neutral impact on the Canadian labour market.

LMIA is required for:

• Most temporary foreign worker programs
• Employer-specific work permits
• Some Express Entry applications (for additional points)

LMIA is NOT required for:

• Post-graduation work permits
• Spouse work permits
• Intra-company transfers
• International trade agreements (NAFTA/CUSMA)

Work permit duration depends on the type:

• LMIA-based permits: Usually 1-2 years (renewable)
• Post-graduation work permits: Equal to study duration (8 months to 3 years maximum)
• Spouse work permits: Same duration as principal applicant's permit
• Intra-company transfers: Up to 7 years for executives, 5 years for specialized workers

Language requirements vary by program:

• Express Entry: Minimum CLB 7 (IELTS 6.0) for Federal Skilled Worker, CLB 5-7 for Canadian Experience Class
• Provincial Programs: Usually CLB 4-7 depending on occupation
• Citizenship: CLB 4 in English or French

Accepted tests:

• English: IELTS, CELPIP
• French: TEF, TCF

Immigration costs vary significantly by program:

Government fees (family of 2):

• Express Entry application: CAD $1,365
• Provincial nomination: CAD $0-1,500
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee: CAD $515 per adult

Additional costs:

• Language tests: CAD $300-400
• Educational assessments: CAD $200-500
• Medical exams: CAD $300-500
• Professional services: CAD $3,000-8,000
• Settlement funds: CAD $15,000-25,000

Yes! You can include eligible family members:

• Spouse or common-law partner: Always includable
• Dependent children: Under 22 years old and not married/common-law
• Children over 22: If financially dependent due to physical/mental condition

Including family increases your settlement fund requirements and processing fees.