Expression of Interest

Rather than applying for a visa directly, a candidate first lodges an EOI describing their age, qualifications, work experience, and language ability. The system scores the profile and places it in a pool alongside other candidates. In periodic invitation rounds, the highest-ranked profiles receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), which unlocks the actual visa application.

Because selection is competitive, a candidate can sit in the pool without being invited. Agencies advising skilled migrants often help clients strengthen the factors behind their score, such as improving a language test result, before or after lodging the work-route application.

In Australia, an EOI is submitted through SkillSelect. EOIs remain valid for a set period (commonly cited as up to two years) and lodging one is free, though associated skills assessments and later visa fees are not, so verify current details. Candidates who meet the points floor can be invited in a round.

In Canada, the equivalent is the Express Entry profile: candidates are ranked by their Comprehensive Ranking System score and invited from the pool. Agencies handling Australian skilled migration track each client's EOI status and any invitation deadlines closely.