Canadian Express Entry

Express Entry is Canada’s flagship immigration system for skilled workers seeking permanent residency. It offers a streamlined process, competitive selection, and one of the fastest processing times among Canadian immigration programs.

What Is Express Entry?

Express Entry is an online system that manages immigration applications for skilled workers. It applies to three key federal programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

Candidates submit an online profile to express their interest. If eligible, they are placed into a pool and ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS awards points based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.

Canada invites the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence. These invitations are called Invitations to Apply (ITAs).

How Express Entry Works

Express Entry involves two main steps:

1. Submitting a Profile: Candidates create an online profile to show their interest and eligibility.
2. Receiving an ITA: IRCC regularly conducts draws to invite top-ranking candidates.

There are three types of Express Entry draws:

• General Draws: Based on highest CRS scores across all programs.
• Program-Specific Draws: Target candidates under a specific program, like the CEC.
• Category-Based Draws: Focus on candidates in high-demand sectors, like healthcare or STEM.

What Are Targeted Express Entry Draws?

Category-based draws allow Canada to invite candidates who meet specific economic goals. These include professionals in trades, healthcare, tech, and French-speaking individuals. Even in these draws, candidates must still meet the minimum CRS cutoff to qualify.

Step-by-Step Express Entry Process

Determine Your Eligibility

You must qualify under at least one Express Entry program: FSWP, CEC, or FSTP.

Complete Language Testing and ECA

Take an approved English or French language test. You may also need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if you studied outside Canada.

Create Your Express Entry Profile

Submit your profile online through IRCC’s portal. Ensure all information is accurate and complete.

Wait for an Invitation

IRCC holds regular draws. If your score is competitive, you may receive an ITA.

Submit Your PR Application

You must submit your complete application within 60 days of receiving an ITA. Include biometrics, a medical exam, and police certificates.

Get a Final Decision

IRCC typically processes complete applications in six months or less.

Receive Your PR Visa

Once approved, you’ll receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a visa (if required).

Express Entry Eligibility

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

The FSWP is ideal for skilled professionals with work experience abroad. To be eligible, you must have at least one year of continuous, full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid work experience in the last 10 years. This experience must be in a skilled occupation classified under TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

You must also meet a minimum language requirement of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 in all four abilities: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Accepted language tests include IELTS General Training or CELPIP General for English, and TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French.

If you completed your education outside Canada, you need a valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to prove the equivalency of your foreign education.

In addition, you must score at least 67 points on the FSWP selection grid. This grid assesses your education, work experience, language skills, age, job offer (if applicable), and adaptability factors.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

The Canadian Experience Class is for candidates who already have skilled work experience in Canada. To qualify, you must have at least one year of skilled, professional, or technical work experience in Canada within the three years before you apply.

Language requirements depend on the job classification. If your Canadian work experience falls under NOC TEER 0 or 1, you must meet a minimum of CLB 7 in all language abilities. For NOC TEER 2 or 3 jobs, the minimum is CLB 5.

Only work done while you held temporary resident status with work authorization counts toward this experience. You must also plan to live outside the province of Quebec, as Quebec operates its own selection system.

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

The FSTP is for individuals with experience in a skilled trade. To qualify, you need at least two years of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work) in a skilled trade within the five years before your application.

You must meet the job requirements for your trade as listed in the NOC, except for needing a Canadian certificate of qualification. In most cases, candidates need either a valid job offer for at least one year from a Canadian employer or a certificate of qualification issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.

The minimum language requirement is CLB 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing. As with the other programs, approved language tests include IELTS General Training or CELPIP General for English, and TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French.

What Are Accepted Language Tests?

Accepted language tests for Express Entry include:

• English: IELTS General Training or CELPIP General
• French: TEF Canada or TCF Canada

Test results are valid for two years and must be valid on the day you submit your permanent residence application.

To improve your CRS score, aim for the highest possible test result.

Do You Need a Job Offer?

No job offer is required to apply through Express Entry. Previously, valid job offers could add 50 to 200 CRS points. As of March 25, 2025, job offers no longer increase CRS scores.

However, job offers are still useful in meeting eligibility for programs like FSWP or FSTP. A job offer must:

• Be full-time and non-seasonal
• Last at least one year
• Be recent and valid under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
• Not be from a diplomatic mission

Some offers require an LMIA, but there are exceptions for LMIA-exempt jobs.

How to Increase Your Express Entry Score

The most effective way to boost your CRS score is by obtaining a Provincial Nomination. This adds 600 CRS points and almost guarantees an ITA.

Other ways include:

• Improving your language test score
• Gaining more skilled work experience
• Earning a higher-level credential
• Working or studying in Canada
• Improving you spouse’s CRS score

How Much Does Express Entry Cost?

Creating an Express Entry profile is free. However, there are associated costs throughout the process:

Pre-ITA Expenses:

Before you submit your Express Entry profile, you may need to cover several expenses. One of the most important is the cost of language testing. You must take an approved English or French test, such as IELTS General Training, CELPIP General (for English), or TEF Canada and TCF Canada (for French). The test fees vary depending on the testing center and location.

If you completed your education outside of Canada, you must also obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). This report verifies that your foreign diploma, degree, or certificate is equivalent to a Canadian credential. The cost depends on the designated organization you choose, such as WES, ICAS, or CES.

Additionally, if any of your supporting documents are not in English or French, you must pay for certified translation services. All translated documents must be complete, accurate, and meet IRCC formatting requirements.

Post-ITA Costs:

• Government processing fees: $1,525 per adult (includes $950 processing + $575 right of permanent residence)
• $260 per dependent child
• Medical exams
• Police certificates
• Biometrics

Pros and Cons of Express Entry

Advantages

• Fast Processing: PR applications are often completed within six months.
• Merit-Based Selection: The CRS system rewards candidates likely to succeed in Canada.
• Transparency: Regular draws and published score thresholds give clarity to applicants.
• Flexibility: Candidates can improve their score and re-enter the pool if not selected.

Disadvantages

• No Guaranteed Selection: High CRS scores are necessary, but there’s no automatic invitation.
• Competitive Pool: Meeting the minimum criteria does not ensure an ITA.

Despite these challenges, frequent draws offer multiple chances for success.

Can My Family Come With Me?

Yes. You can include your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children. If your application is approved, your family members will also receive permanent residence.

Dependent children are defined as:

• Under 22 and not married or in a common-law relationship
• Over 22 but financially dependent due to a physical or mental condition, since before age 22

Express Entry Processing Times

Express Entry profiles are valid for one year. If you don’t receive an ITA within that period, you can create a new profile. After receiving an ITA, most applications are processed within six months.

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