Following is the simplified process of express entry in 10 steps: (Direct federal ITA – FSW)
Step
: Take a Language test (CELPIP/IELTS/TEF/TCF) and achieve CLB 9.(viz: band score of 8777 in LRWS in IELTS)
(viz: band score of 9999 in LRWS in CELPIP)
CLB 9 gives candidates additional language points boost of 70–90 points for language and skills transferability points if combined with a Masters’s degree or Bachelor’s + 1-year PGD.
If you are able to reach the score of 445+ without CLB 9, that is fine too.
(Based on the recent draws in March 2019 and current trends)
Cost – Approx 200 CAD every time you take IELTS.
Step
: Get your ECA done (8-40 weeks)ECA stands for Education Credential Assessment. It is done by multiple organizations (WES/ICAS/IQAS/ICES/CES/MCC/PEBC ) and provides you the Canadian equivalent degree assessment of your foreign education/credentials.
WES is the most preferred due to its speedier process of 4-7weeks.
Cost – Approx 285 CAD. (200 CAD Fee + 85 CAD International Courier)
Step
: Create EE (Express Entry) profile on the CIC website using Gckey with your language score and ECA.Express Entry profile enters you in a pool of candidates of aspiring Canadian aspirants waiting for the ITA (Invitation to Apply). Make sure all the information mentioned in the profile is accurate as you will be asked to provide proof of all that information once you are selected.
EE system calculates points based on your age, language skills, work experience, skills transferability and additional factors and assigns you a total score. This is referred to as your CRS score.
Cost – 0
Step
: Wait for bi-weekly Round of Invitation – EE CRS draw. It usually happens on a Wednesday. (possible on other days too). If your CRS score is drawn, you may receive an ITA.ICCRC declares the minimum CRS score and all the candidates with that score or more may receive an ITA.
ICCRC decides the number of ITAs that will be issued in that particular draw and accordingly a score is drawn based on the number of profiles in the express entry pool.
The current draw size varies between 3350-3900 ITAs per draw.
The more the number of ITAs and the more the frequency of draws, lower the CRS score that is drawn.
Cost – 0:
Step
: Post ITA, you get 2 months (60 days) to submit your documents.You will now be required to provide proof and evidence for all the information you have entered in your EE profile. The documents/information needed from the candidates for this purpose are:
Travel Document (Passport) of all applicants
Digital Photograph of all applicants
Proof of Employment of primary applicant
Proof of Funds of the primary applicant
Proof of Medical of all applicants
Proof of Education & IELTS of all applicants
Police Clearance Certificate (From all countries where you have resided for 6 months or more) of all adult applicants
Cost varies as Medical cost, PCC fees, translation fees, etc vary from one place to another. Ideally, all expenses should be covered within 300–500 CAD per applicant.
Step
: Submit documents, pay application, RPRF and biometric feeAfter submitting the documents and paying the Immigration fees, ICCRC officers will verify the documents and information provided. This generally takes 5-8 months depending on various factors, like, education, work experience, country of nationality, travel history, kind of documentation/information provided, visa office assigned and application backlog.
Cost – CAD550 – application fee for each adult,CAD150 – application fee for each dependent child
CAD490 – RPRF fee for each adult.
CAD 85 – Biometric fee for each adult
𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝘀𝘁 – 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮 – This is the most anticipated email/message in your account once you start this journey.
Once the documents are verified, candidates are intimated about the result of their application via mail. On successful processing, candidates are required to submit the passports of all the applicants for the Visa Stamping and CoPR. The VFS/VAC service costs CAD 30-100 per applicant. The passports with stamped PR visas along with 2 copies of CoPR are returned to the designated address within 7-30 days
Cost – Approx 30-100 CAD x No. of Applicants
Step
: Reach Canada
on PR visa 
Applicants are required to arrive in Canada within the expiry date mentioned on their visa/CoPR. This is generally linked to the expiry of the passport or validity of the medical exam taken (12months from the date taken), whichever is earlier.
Applicants arrive in Canada and activate their PR status by getting their PR visa and CoPR stamped on arrival. Their PR card process is automatically initiated at this time and is delivered by mail to the Canadian address given at the time of landing to the border officer.
You are now officially a permanent resident of Canada.
Welcome to Canada, your new home.
Cost – Travel cost of each applicant
Step
: Receive PR card (2–3 months)The current average PR Card processing time is 60–75 days and the PR card will be mailed to the Canadian address given by the applicants at the time of their landing.
If you returned back to your home country after your first landing, then these PR cards are required for you to return to Canada. If you don’t have your PR card, you can also apply for PRTD through the nearest Candian visa office or consulate.
Cost – 0:
Step
: Make 
𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐚 
your homeYour PR card is just a travel document for you to re-enter Canada, but it is also considered valid proof of your status in Canada.
PR card is provided with a validity of 5 years. A person is required to reside in Canada for 730 cumulative days in consecutive 5 years to comply with their residency obligations
If a person has stayed in Canada for more than 1095 days in consecutive 5 years, he/she is eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.
Some Acronyms Frequently Used in this post & during Visa Processing:
CLB – Canadian Language Benchmark
ECA – Education Credential Assessment
EE – Express Entry
ROI – Round of Invitations
ITA – Invitation to Apply for PR
CoPR – Confirmation of Permanent Residency
PPR – Passport Request
PR – Permanent Resident (Residency)