Express Entry Guide | Canada Immigration Abbreviations List

Canada is a country that always welcomes new immigrants no matter whether they are students, skilled workers, trade workers, business entrepreneurs, and Syrian refugees. Before express entry, the Canadian government was working on a “first come-first served” basis which was very slow in regards to processing time and was taking more than one and a half years to process one application.

Express entry fastens up the whole immigration process which results in the successful processing of an application that takes 6-8 months, sometimes less than 6 months as well.

It is a completely online system which handles 3 programs for permanent residency:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Canadian Experience Class

In this guide I am going to explain these topics :

• About the Express Entry System
• How does Express Entry work in Canada?
• Express Entry Eligibility
• What is CRS?
• Express Entry’s latest cut-off score 2024
• Express Entry Tie-breaking rule
• Express Entry profile validity
• Express Entry to Canada PR Cost
• Required documents list after getting ITA
• Express Entry Abbreviations List

So, without taking much time let’s get started.

What is the Express Entry System?

Express Entry is a new form of immigration process that works on a draw system based on (the Comprehensive Ranking System) which is called CRS.

Express Entry was first introduced in January 2015 and the first draw took place on 31st January 2015 with a CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) cut-off of 886 and 779 invitations were issued which was the highest cutoff score ever in the history of express entry.

The lowest CRS cutoff till now is 512 took place on 14th September 2022, with a 3250 invitation issued.

An interesting fact over here is, that most draw takes place on Wednesday after 2 weeks. Different draws take place for federal skilled trade and worker programs.

How Express Entry Works and How to Check If You’re Eligible?

To get eligible for Express Entry, it is necessary to meet the minimum criteria to be accepted in the express entry pool.

The minimum points are 67 which depends upon a person’s Language Skills, Education, Work experience, Age, Job offer, and adaptability.

Calculate your minimum score requirements here: Six selection factors – Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry)

Before entering in express entry pool, make sure you have enough funds to settle in Canada which is called settlement funds or Proof of Funds. The amount of settlement funds depends upon the number of family members.

Check the list here: Proof of funds – Skilled immigrants (Express Entry)

What is CRS?

CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) is a way to choose candidates from the express entry pool. CRS itself is a combination of various factors:

• Age
• Language proficiency
• Educational level
• Work experience
• Job offer
• Spouse factors
• Adaptability

which makes a total score of the candidate. The total points come out to 1200 points. 600 points are awarded to the candidate who has the nomination from any province. 50 points are given to candidates who have job offers from a Canadian employer. Earlier these points were also 600 but now reduced to 50 points.

Calculate your CRS score here (official site): Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) tool: skilled immigrants (Express Entry)

How to Check the Latest Express Entry CRS Cut-off Score?

Get updated with the latest express entry rounds.

As of March 25, 2024, here are the latest CRS score stats and the highest number of candidates in the Express Entry pool.

Here is how you can check the full latest CRS Cut off scores and updated stats (official website): Express Entry rounds of invitations

Latest Express Entry Draw March 25, 2024 – Highlights

Now let’s check which CRS score range as of March 24, 2024, has the highest number of Candidates to date:

UPDATE: For the years 2024 and 2025, Canada’s Immigration future plan targets the arrival of 430,000 to 542,500 new permanent residents (PR) in 2024, and aims for 442,500 to 550,000 newcomers by 2025, reflecting a progressive increase in immigration goals. (Source: Canada.ca)

There are various Province Nominee Programs (PNP) that also accept candidates below 400 CRS points. These PNPs work on the basis of Expression of interest (EOI).

Province Nominee Program (PNP) List :

• Alberta AINP
• British Columbia BC PNP
• Manitoba MPNP
• New Brunswick NB PNP
• Newfound Land and Labrador NLPNP
• Northwest Territories NTNP
• Nova Scotia NSNP
• Ontario OINP
• Prince Edward Island PEI PNP
• Saskatchewan SINP
• Yukon YNP

What is Express Entry Tie-breaking Rule? (Answered)

Invitation To Apply (ITA) issued follows the Tie-breaking rule. The tie-breaking rule in express entry applies when two or more candidates exist in the pool with the SAME cut-off CRS points.

Let’s take this as an example, let’s suppose CRS cut-off points are 470, and the draw-out date is Feb 19th, 2024.

Candidate “A” has 478 points and he/she has been in the pool since January 28, 2022, at 20:40:56 UTC.

“B” has 470 points since January 11, 2023, at 11:32:01 UTC

“C” has 470 points since January 13, 2024, at 10:51:50 UTC

“D” has 470 points since January 13, 2024, at 10:52:53 UTC

“E” has 470 points since January 13, 2024, at 10:52:54 UTC

NOTE: Please pay attention to the time-format above (Hours:Minutes:Secs), so there is just a secs of difference between Candidate C, D, E.

Now, IRCC declared a Tie-breaking rule: January 13, 2024, at 10:52:52 UTC.

Candidate “A” will not be affected because he/she has higher CRS points than the cut-off and will definitely receive an ITA.

Candidate “B”, “C”, “D” and Candidate “E” has the same CRS points with different date/TIME of arrival in the pool.

As the tie-breaker is January 13th Candidate “B” will receive ITA because his/her arrival date in the pool is prior to the tie-breaker date.

Candidate “C” will receive an ITA even if his/her arrival date is the same as the tie-breaker date but if you look at the TIME even if it’s a few seconds prior to the tie-breaker TIME, he/she will receive the ITA.

Candidates “D” and “E” will not receive an ITA even if their CRS points are the same 470 and even if their arrival date is the same as the tie-breaker date but their TIME is a few seconds ahead of the tie-breaker time.

Tie-breaking Rule Simplified (Example)

Tie-breaking rule: January 13, 2024, at 10:52:52 UTC

CRS: 470

Draw Out: February 19th, 2024

I hope my this simple explanation will answer many of your questions. If still unclear, please ask anything in the comment down below, would be more than happy to answer your queries.

How long an Express Entry profile is valid?

An express entry profile is valid for one year once created and 60 days are given to complete and submit the profile once started to fill in details.

Once submitted, you are allowed to make only one change in your current express entry profile which is in the pool. After receiving an invitation to apply (ITA), the application should be submitted in 60 days.

Latest Changes in Express Entry Draws 2023-2024

Canada made big changes in the Express entry program. Canada introduces a new initiative to facilitate the immigration of skilled individuals with work experience in these main priority occupations (mentioned below), as permanent residents.

On May 31, 2023, Canada announced via news release, read the full story on the official website.

Here: Canada launches new process to welcome skilled newcomers

We are launching a new process to welcome skilled workers with specific talents, training, or language ability to Canada. This innovative approach to our Express Entry system addresses labour needs and strengthens French communities across the country: https://t.co/iW4WAfsHll pic.twitter.com/6TKzpbBWJu

— IRCC (@CitImmCanada) May 31, 2023

Express Entry to Canada PR Cost

Before proceeding with the list of required documents, I believe it is important to let you know about the actual complete cost of Canada PR via Express entry in 2021/2022.

Most people do not consider many of these fees and charges that I have explained in this video with the most updated information.

I would suggest you watch this video now or after reading the article so that you can have a clear insight and consider these actual costs and fees.

In this video I have explained :

Important List of Documents to Submit after Receiving an ITA

A personalized document list appears for every candidate but mostly following documents need to be submitted after receiving an ITA :

Biometrics is an examination of fingerprints and photos for identification purposes. This rule was started on July 31, 2018, for Africa, Europe, Middle East, and on December 31, 2018, for Asia, Asia-Pacific, and America.

There are various VACs (Visa Application Centers) and ASCs (Application Support Centers) worldwide where people can give their biometrics.

• Find your list here: Where to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics)

The Canadian government wants to assure you about any of your health issues before entering Canada so that you must not be in a condition to harm their citizens. A medical examination needs to be done before the submission of an ITA.

Medical examination can only be done by a panel of physicians listed by the Canadian government.

• Select your Country or Territory: Find a Panel Physician here

Express Entry & Canada Immigration Abbreviations List

I am always trying to add more immigration acronyms used in Canadian immigration and keep it updated, just in case you know any of the abbreviations that got missed in the list, please mention down below in the comments.

Here’s the most updated list of Express Entry & Canada Immigration acronyms in full forms (Alphabetically Sorted):

-A-

AAIP: Alberta Advantage Immigrate Program

AATP: Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway

AAIP EE: Alberta Advantage Immigrate Program: Express Entry Stream

ADR: Additional Document Request 

ADIT Stamp: Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication Stamp

AOR: Acknowledgement Of Receipt

AINP: Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program

ATIP: Access to Information and Privacy

AIPRP: Access to Information and Personal Information Request Service

AIPP: Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

ASCs: Application Support Centres

-B-

BDEC: Background Decision

BC PNP: British Columbia Provisional Nominee Program

-C-

CAS: Client Application Status

CC: Credit Card

CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (IELTS Alternative)

CEC: Canadian Experience Class

CHC: Canadian High Commission

CIO: Centralized Intake Office (in Sydney, Nova Scotia)

CIU: Centralized Intake Unit

CLB: Canadian Language Benchmarks (English)

COE: Confirmation of Permanent Residence

COPR: Confirmation of Permanent Residency

CPCs: Case Processing Centres

CPC-E: Case Processing Centre in Edmonton, Alberta

CPC-O: Case Processing Centre in Ottawa, Ontario

CPC-M: Case Processing Centre Mississauga, Ontario

CPC-Sydney: Case Professing Centre Sydney, Nova Scotia

CRS: Comprehensive Ranking System

CIC: Citizenship and Immigration, Canada

-D-

DD: Demand Draft (Bank Draft / Certified Cheque / Money Order)

DIP: Decision in Progress

DLI: Designated Learning Institutions

-E-

E-Apps: Electronic Applications

ECA: Educational Credential Assessment

EE: Express Entry

EOI: Expression of Interest

EO: Employment Offer

ESL: English as a Second Language

eTA: Electronic Travel Authorization

-F-

FD: Fixed Deposit

FSW: Federal Skill Worker

FSL: French as a Second Language

FILE BF’D: File Brought Forward date

FOSS: Field Operations Support System

-G-

GCMS: Global Case Management System

GAC: Global Affairs Canada

-I-

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

IMM CAT: Immigration Category

IRCC: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

IRPR: Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations

ITA: Invitation To Apply

-J-

JD: Job Description

JAL: Job Approval Letter

-L-

LMIA: Labour Market Impact Assessment

LOE: Letter Of Explanation

LLA: Letter of Advice to Apply

-M-

M01-M07: Level of Medical Assessment

MEDDEC: Medical Decision

MI: Ministerial Instructions

MPNP: Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program

MR: Medical Request

-N-

NB PNP: New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program

NCLC: Canadian Language Benchmarks (French)

NCR: No Criminal Record

NL PNP: Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program

NOC: National Occupation Clarification

NOI: Notification of Interest

NSNP: Nova Scotia Nominee Program

NTNP: Northwest Territories Nominee Program

-O-

OREQ: Other Requirement

OINP: Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program

OINP HCP: Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Human Capital Priorities Stream/Ontario Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream

OSC: Operational Support Centre

-P-

PCC: Police Clearance Certificate

PEI: Preliminary Evaluation for Immigration

PEI PNP: Prince Edward Island Provisional Nominee Program

PER: Positive Eligibility Review

PGWP: Post-Graduation Work Permit Program

PNP: Province Nominee Program

POF: Proof Of Funds

POE/POEs: Ports of Entry

PPR: Passport Request

PR: Permanent Residency 🙂 (Hope you all will get it soon.)

PRTD: Permanent Resident Travel Document

PI: Principle immigrant

PPS: Point at the Paper Screening Stage

PS: Pre-Screen

PSDEC: Paper Selection Decision

-R-

RBVO: Received by Visa Office

RPRF: Right of Permanent Residence Fees

-S-

SDS: Student Direct Stream

SEC CRIM: Security Criminal

SELDEC: Selection Decision

SINP: Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program

SLU: Second Level Update

SS: This Spread Sheet

SW1: Skill Worker 1

-T-

TRV: Temporary Resident Visa

-U-

UCI: Unique Client Identifier

-V-

VO: Visa Office

VACs: Visa Application Centres

-X-

XREF: Cross-Reference

-Y-

YNP: Yukon Nominee Program

Express Entry Process Guide 2024: Summary

If you are reading this post you must be really interested in moving to Canada. I tried my best to include all the Canadian immigration abbreviations terms and definitions in this list. Hope you found it helpful.

First, prepare yourself mentally for the Express entry process.

Calculate your score and check all the details mentioned above carefully.

Start collecting the documents one by one carefully. Make your checklist and start working on it. It’s a matter of patience and dedication.

You should make this your goal and build your willpower to achieve it.

I did the same and put my 100% into it and by the grace of God, I achieved it.

I tried my best to cover and explain all the important things listed. As I am not a professional in this field, I have gained all the knowledge from my own PR journey.

I wish all of you achieve your “MAPpLE Dreams/Canadian Dreams“.

Stay connected for more fantastic blog posts. Please do share it and subscribe below to my newsletter for upcoming really helpful blogs.