What is Express Entry and how does it work for Montreal residents?

Express Entry is Canada's online system for managing applications under three federal programs: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades (FST), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Candidates create an online profile and receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on age, education, work experience, language ability, and adaptability factors. The federal government conducts draws every two weeks, inviting the highest-scoring candidates to apply for PR. Montreal residents applying federally (not through Quebec's system) use Express Entry. North Star Immigration Montreal advises on CRS score optimisation strategies.

How can I improve my Express Entry CRS score from Montreal?

The most impactful CRS improvements are: higher language test scores (IELTS/CELPIP for English or TEF/TCF for French) — each band increase can add 10–20+ points; completing a higher level of education; securing a valid job offer from a Canadian employer (adds 50–200 points depending on NOC level); obtaining a provincial nomination (adds 600 points, effectively guaranteeing an ITA); and accruing Canadian work experience in CEC-eligible roles. North Star Immigration Montreal conducts a full CRS assessment and recommends the highest-impact improvement strategies for your specific profile.

Can my family come with me when I immigrate to Canada?

Yes. Most Canadian PR programs allow you to include your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children (under 22 and not married/common-law) as accompanying dependants in your application. They will receive PR status simultaneously with you. If family members cannot accompany you initially, they can be sponsored later through the Family Class sponsorship program once you have PR. North Star Immigration Montreal provides advice on including dependants correctly and ensuring all family documentation is complete for simultaneous processing.

North Star Immigration Montreal Reviews — 4.7★ on Google | Montreal, Canada

About North Star Immigration Montreal

North Star Immigration is a Montreal-based consultancy specialising in Quebec immigration programs, with deep expertise in the Quebec Skilled Worker Program managed through the Arrima expression of interest portal. The firm serves both French-speaking applicants pursuing Quebec's Francophone immigration advantage and English-speaking applicants building French language skills to qualify for Quebec selection. North Star also processes federal Express Entry applications for clients choosing to settle outside Quebec. Montreal's bilingual environment makes North Star Immigration uniquely positioned to assess whether clients should pursue Quebec selection or federal streams, depending on their language profile, work history, and settlement intentions. The firm's consultants maintain current knowledge of Quebec's frequently-updated immigration regulations, ministerial instructions, and invitation rounds through the Arrima system.

Our research

ConsultancyCheck's own assessment, from public records and the company's own materials. This is our judgement — not a summary of student reviews.

Strengths

✓Montreal-based bilingual immigration practice serving both French and English-speaking clients
✓Deep experience with Quebec immigration streams (QSWP, QUIP, PEQ)
✓Strong track record for overseas professionals targeting Quebec immigration
✓Understanding of Quebec's unique immigration selection criteria and cultural integration requirements
✓Accessible fees compared to major Montreal immigration law firms

Limitations

!Specialist in Quebec pathways — less suited to British Columbia or Alberta PNP streams
!Smaller practice with limited capacity for complex corporate immigration
!Less suited to refugee and humanitarian protection cases

How North Star Immigration Montreal get paid

Mid-range

Confirm exactly what you will be charged, and what happens to that money if your visa is refused. Get it in writing before you pay anything. An agent that will not put its fees in writing is telling you something.

Who it suits

▸Skilled workers in Montreal or abroad applying to federal Express Entry or Quebec Skilled Worker programs
▸Temporary residents in Quebec who need permanent residence pathway advice from an experienced RCIC
▸Families in Montreal seeking sponsorship applications for overseas spouses, children, or parents

What they do

Destinations

Canada

Specialisations

Quebec Skilled WorkerFamily SponsorshipBusiness ImmigrationWork Permits

Services

Initial ConsultationQuebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)Express Entry ApplicationWork Permit ApplicationFamily SponsorshipTemporary CSQ Assistance

Languages

EnglishFrenchArabicPortuguese

Partner universities & institutions

College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC)

Canada

regulatory

Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI)

Canada

government

Post-study pathways

⚜️Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP)

Quebec selects its own economic immigrants independently. The Arrima portal manages expressions of interest, with Quebec issuing a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) before federal PR processing begins.

1Arrima EOI2Invitation from Quebec3CSQ Application4Federal Admissibility Check5Permanent Residency

⭐Express Entry → Permanent Residency

For applicants choosing provinces outside Quebec, Canada's Express Entry system manages Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class applications through a competitive CRS ranking system.

1Eligibility Assessment2Expression of Interest3CRS Score Optimisation4Invitation to Apply5PR Application6Permanent Residency

👨‍👩‍👧Family Sponsorship → Permanent Residency

Canadian citizens and PRs in Quebec can sponsor spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children for PR, with Quebec's family reunification policies running parallel to federal family class immigration.

1Sponsor Eligibility2Quebec and Federal Application3Biometrics & Medical4IRCC Processing5Permanent Residency

What students say

✓ 0 ConsultancyCheck reviewsG 4.7 · 463 Google reviews

Write a Review

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REGINE LABATA

a month ago

★★★★★

Highly Recommended! Approachable staff! Quick service . And they gave you suggestions and options for the next step you want to proceed. Will gonna guide you all the way! Thank you Samaneh for helping me out!