Passport validity - Express entry

When we applied for Canadian express entry,  our passports had validity for multiple years and we didn't have to think about it. However when many people, whose passports were expiring in the next few months, asked us about the same, we had thought of writing up this post.

Importance of Passport

Even outside of Express entry,  this is a very important document that should be kept carefully. It is one's identity and so make sure that each of your immediate family members has one. For Express entry,  you submit your latest passport (i.e. if you have renewed your passport in the past) and don't have to submit old/canceled passport(s).

Express entry pre-requisites 

When you give IELTS exam, your test results has the passport number that you supply.  If you have requested a new passport after your exam, we recommend mentioning that in the letter of explanation and uploading the old passport (page with your picture with name and date of birth) when you submit your application post-ITA.

What complications can arise?

If your name has changed (i.e. first, middle and/or last name) or marital status or spouse name has changed then you need to get an affidavit and mention the same in thd letter of explanation.  This is important because the visa officer would want to ensure that you are indeed the same person. It is a very common scenario. Many nations have passports issued for 10 years and so it could be quite possible that your name/marital status/spouse name has changed.

Where is my passport number required?

1. When you create express entry profile. 
2. Post getting the invite to apply- 

• Security clearance - Most countries put in the passport number in the final police clearance certificate.  It has a validity of just 6 months. 
• Medical exam - The clinic that will do your exam will ask your passport number and it will have the same in your report. Like security, this is also important because health care is free. They would want to ensure that you are indeed the person that underwent the test.
• Travel history - When your travel history is verified, there is a background check done. Your latest passport number will be very useful.

3. Once you get the golden email

If you are from one of the countries that need a visa to enter Canada then you would have to send your passport to get a one-time stamp. If you have changed passports then you will have to explain the same. Send both passports and if there a change in the demographic page i.e. name, dob, marital status then you would have to submit an affidavit for the same. The visa officer might choose to contact you for clarification. 

You get a document called CoPR i.e. confirmation of permanent residence for every family member. This is a very important document that is needed for 1st time landing.

Landing 

If you renew your passport after you get the CoPR and your old passport then make sure that your carry the old passport too because it has the "one-time entry " stamp.

Final take

The express entry process has an official SLA of 6 months. You get usually couple of months to land in Canada.  Sometimes you could have delays further than 6 months. To avoid any questions from visa officials and backforth, please ensure that all family members have a passport that at least has a year's validity. This can save you a lot of headaches!

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2015 - 2017 Express entry results

The IRCC issues a report annually on the express entry program. One of the questions that is commonly asked is if their profession is in demand in Canada. That's why we thought of looking at these reports to analyze the profiles that were awarded permanent residency. This information can help you look at patterns and help you prepare for your own journey.

What were the overall trends for the last 3 years?

The Express entry program has gained popularity over the last 3 years i.e. from 2015 until now. In 2015, 35K people applied and 16K PRs (total persons) were issued  In 2017, 109K people applied ultimately 93K PRs (total persons) were issued. There were 30 draws in 2017 and were conducted every fortnight approximately. Each application could have multiple people. That's why total persons number includes every person that got a PR. The online process is really great and partly the reason for the popularity. Personally,  it is also the reason that we were inclined to apply. The number of active profiles have increased every year (60042 in 2015, 58328 in 2016 and 71087 in 2017). This tells you that program has gained popularity

What was the demographic of the profiles that were accepted?

People from different countries in North America i.e. USA and Canada,  Asia and Africa have been granted PR. This program has seen at least double the numbers from almost every country. 73%- 76% of PRs have been granted to profiles of applicants residing in India,  Canada and USA.  As expected,  the number of applicants from USA has increased by 6.5 times! (902 PRs were granted in 2016 and 5820 PRs were granted in 2017)

What were the streams under which PRs were granted?

• 2016 statistics -
• 23% of permanent residents that were admitted came from PNP program.
• Ontario, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and British Columbia were top PNP programs that admitted entry.
• Remaining 77% came from other programs (Federal skilled worker, Federal skilled trades)
• 2017 statistics -
• 20% of permanent residents that were admitted came from PNP program.
• Ontario, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and British Columbia were top PNP programs that admitted entry.
• Interestingly the number of folks thru PNP doubled up than in 2016.
• 26% of permanent residents that were admitted came from Canadian experience class
• Remaining 54% came from other programs (Federal skilled worker, Federal skilled trades)
• The number of folks admitted thru these programs has doubled.
• Only 15% of invites went to candidates who had arranged employment.
• Effectively 59% of invites were issued to folks outside Canada without arranged employment.

Which were the top NOCs i.e. job codes were invited to apply for permanent residency?

This is one of the indicators of the demand in Canada. These were the NOCs that received the highest number of invites in 2016 and 2017. The top NOCs accounted for 36% of the invites in both years. Note that remaining 64% of invites were given to other NOCs. So, as you can see that almost every profession has a chance.

• Computer analysts and developers (2171, 2173 and 2174) - 15% of the invites in 2016, 2017
• Cooks and food supervisors (6322 and 6311) - 3% & 7% for 2016, 2017
• University professors and lecturers (4011) - 3% for 2016, 2017
• Financial industry (1111, 1112) - 4% for 2016, 2017
• Administrative assistants (1241) - ~ 1.5% in 2016, 2017
• Professionals in advertising, marketing & public relations (1123) - 2% in 2016, 2017
• Graphic designers & Illustrators (5241) - ~2% in 2016, 2017
• Retail sale supervisors (6211) - ~2% in 2016, 2017
• Management consulting (1122) - ~ 1% in 2016, 2017

What were the education profiles of folks who got an invite?

• 2017 statistics -
• Canadian education - Only 35% of invites were issued to folks with Canadian education
• About 3% of invites were made to French speakers
• 2016 statistics - 
• Canadian education - Only 10.5% of invites were issued to folks with Canadian education
• About 3% of invites were made to French speakers

What is the final recommendation?

Express entry program has gained momentum in the last 3 years. Year on year, the number of people admitted via this program has increased. A variety of professions have been admitted in this program. Diversity is one of the goals of the program with. International education certainly is embraced. Hope this gives you the confidence to start your own journey!

Next steps -

• Get started with express entry today.
• Understand the stages of express entry.
• Cost of immigrating to Canada.