New Express Entry Rules

Yesterday, the government finally announced the new rules for the Express Entry System which will come into effect on January 1, 2015. 

The Express Entry system will govern permanent residence applications which are submitted under the economic categories of the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Class, the Provincial Nominee Programs, and the Federal Skilled Trades Class.  Here are some of the aspects of the program:

• Applicants who qualify for these programs will need to apply online to enter into a pool.  Before you apply online, however, you may need to take a language exam and credential assessment.  An applicant who enters erroneous information can later be charged with misrepresentation (a penalty of 5 years ban from Canada).
• In order to be selected out of the pool, applicants will compete against each other based on a points system consisting of factors such as the existence of a LMIA-approved job offer, PNP nomination, age, education, language, work experience in Canada, etc.
• If an applicant is not selected out of the pool in a period of one year, their application will cease to exist and they would have to reapply.

It vital at this point to see if you can likely qualify for permanent residence under the new program or if other options are available to you.