The process to intake candidates through Express Entry Canada has two different stages:

Stage 1: Creation of an online profile in the Express Entry Pool of Candidates

Candidates are invited to create their Express Entry profile in the Express Entry pool and this process is called Expression of Interest (EOI). Submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) is the first step towards immigration to Canada. The candidates are placed according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) in the Express Entry based on their:

• Education (foreign education or/and education from within Canada)
• Work experience (foreign work experience or/and experience within Canada)
• Siblings in Canada
• The qualifying offer of employment 
• Provincial/territorial nominations

As mentioned before eligible candidates in one of Canada’s skilled immigration streams i.e. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC) make an online profile by clearly and honestly stating details about their:

• Professional skills, 
• Language proficiency in either or both official languages of Canada i.e. English / French
• Education 
• Past work experience
• Misc. other details 

The candidates who create an Express Entry profile must have to complete the profile within 60 days of creation and submit it to Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Upon successful submission of a profile to IRCC and getting a notification that the candidate meets the eligibility criteria of one or more of the federal economic immigration streams, the profile will be activated and placed in the Express Entry pool of active members. If candidates are invited to apply, they have 60 days to submit an online application for Canadian permanent residence. The processing can take up to six months or less. You can stay in the pool for up to one year. If you have not received an invitation to apply (ITA) in 12 months you will have to submit a new profile to re-enter the pool. It is advised to update your profile in case of any changes.

As mentioned before, the Express Entry profile is good for one year from the date of creation and will be considered for any subsequent express entry draws for Invitation to Apply (ITA). IRCC holds an Express Entry round of Invitations (Express Entry Draw) at regular intervals and sends Invitation to Apply (ITA) to candidates who score equal to or more than a certain Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Round of Invitations for Express Entry is normally held on a biweekly basis or as needed.

Canada picks the best possible candidates who are more likely to become successful in their new life in Canada through the Express Entry system. Candidates are ranked based on their credentials and additional factors can increase their chances of getting an invitation to apply like siblings in Canada, a qualifying offer of employment from a Canadian employer, and provincial/territorial nominations.

Those candidates who do not have a valid job offer or provincial/territorial nomination can sign up with the Job Bank of Canada to get a job offer. Before registration with Job Bank, Canada was mandatory but now it is optional, but it is a good way to get connected to relevant Canadian employers who are looking for suitable candidates. If an employer is willing to hire a candidate from the Express Entry pool of candidates then most often they will need to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) through Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). This will give an additional 50 or 200 points (depending upon NOC type) to candidates and can make their ranking better. 

There are certain cases when there is no labor market impact assessment (LMIA) report is required and a candidate can still get additional points. These job offers come under LMIA-exempt job offers. 

In no way, it is a guarantee that candidates who created and submitted their Express Entry profile will be invited to apply for permanent residence, as it will primarily be dependent on their standings or ranking in the Express Entry pool of candidates.

Stage 2: Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Permanent Residence (PR)

Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada often hold Express Entry draws called “Express Entry rounds of Invitation” and send an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence status in Canada, to a certain number of candidates (as per requirements). These draws are most often held on every second Wednesday or as required. 

The Candidate who ranked high in the Express Entry pool of candidates will be invited to apply for permanent residence status in Canada. Candidates have only 90 days to submit their completed electronic application once they receive an invitation to apply (ITA). 

Those candidates who have successfully submitted their Express Entry profile but failed to get an invitation to apply due to their low CRS score can remain in the Express Entry pool of candidates for twelve (12) months, from the creation of their profile. Upon reaching twelve (12) months their Express Entry profile will be eliminated from the Express Entry pool of candidates. Candidates can resubmit their profile provided they meet the minimum eligibility criteria of any skilled stream as mentioned above and meet the entry criteria of the Express Entry pool of candidates.

In this way, Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada makes sure that there are no backlogs and allows them to process the application quickly.