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Published on 2025-04-13; updated on 2025-04-22
Express Entry is Canada’s flagship immigration system for skilled workers. Learn about eligibility criteria, processing times, ways to improve your CRS score, and more.
Express Entry is an online system used by IRCC to manage immigration applications from skilled workers.
Express Entry manages three programs:
| Program | Description |
|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | CEC is for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents. |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | FSWP is for skilled workers who have foreign work experience and want to become permanent residents. The FSW program has a 100-point grid, with a minimum score of 67 required for eligibility to enter the Express Entry pool. |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) | FSTP is for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade. |
The Express Entry system streamlines Canada's federal immigration process for skilled workers. First, candidates submit an online profile, which the federal government reviews to determine eligibility for an Express Entry program. If eligible, candidates are placed into the Express Entry pool and ranked through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), a points-based method that evaluates factors such as age, education, work experience, and language skills. Top-ranking candidates are then issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence through general, program-specific, or category-based rounds.
Express Entry Process Flow
1. Create profile
2. Invite candidates in rounds
3. Upon receiving an ITA, submit your PR application within 60 days
4. Review application and make final decision
The Express Entry system provides a flexible and efficient pathway for eligible candidates to seek permanent residence in Canada. An Express Entry profile remains valid for up to one year, giving candidates the opportunity to be considered for an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Once an ITA is issued, the Canadian government strives to process complete permanent residence applications within six months, starting from the date the application is received and ending with a final decision. If no ITA is received within the profile's validity period, eligible candidates can easily re-submit a new profile to remain in contention for future opportunities. This streamlined process ensures candidates have ongoing chances to achieve their immigration goals.
| Criterion | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language skills |
| CLB 7 |
|
| Type of work experience | Canadian work experience in:
| Work experience in:
| Work experience in a skilled trade under key groups of TEER 2 or TEER 3:
|
| Amount of work experience | 1 year in Canada in the last 3 years (full-time or part-time combo) | 1 year continuous within the last 10 years (in primary occupation) | 2 years within the last 5 years (full-time or part-time combo) |
| Job offer | Not required. | Not required, but adds points. | Required (Valid 1-year job offer OR certificate of qualification). |
| Education | Not required. | Secondary education required. Post-secondary adds points. | Not required. |
IRCC provides two tools for applicants to check their eligibility:
Express Entry has three different draw types:
| Round Type | Description |
|---|---|
| General rounds of invitations | IRCC invites top-ranking candidates in the pool who are eligible for 1 of the 3 programs managed through Express Entry. |
| Program-specific rounds of invitations | IRCC invites top-ranking candidates who are eligible for a specific Express Entry program. For example, if IRCC is holding a round specifically for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), IRCC would only invite candidates who are eligible for the PNP. |
| Category-based rounds of invitations | The Minister establishes a category to meet a specific economic goal. IRCC then invites top-ranking candidates in the pool who are eligible for this category. Current categories include:
|
By checking the scores of previous rounds, you may see how likely you are to get an invitation in the next round.
While the Federal Express Entry program serves as a direct pathway for economic immigration, it also connects with Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), enabling provinces and territories to address regional labour market needs. Provinces can nominate candidates from the Express Entry pool, offering them a major advantage through an additional 600 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This significant boost ensures a higher likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Provinces have the flexibility to nominate candidates either before or after their entry into the Express Entry pool. However, in most cases, individuals must already be in the pool before applying for a provincial nomination certificate. These nominations reflect local priorities, helping provinces attract newcomers who contribute to regional economic goals.
Including this pathway as part of your immigration plan may align with specific opportunities available in certain provinces or territories, expanding your chances of successfully immigrating to Canada.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a points-based system, explained in IRCC's CRS criteria page.
Language skills are an area where you can often improve your score. This is because you can earn additional points for language abilities that exceed the minimum requirements. For example, the Federal Skilled Worker program requires only CLB 7 (all abilities) but it is possible to get more points for successively increasing the score for each ability, up to CLB 10.
Language is a valuable factor within the CRS and can be worth up to 310 CRS points when combined with other factors (such as post-secondary education). This number can rise further up to 320 if the applicant is married or in a common-law relationship.
Language counts for points in several sections of the CRS:
Strong French language proficiency, especially when combined with English, can add up to 50 extra CRS points—even if French is not your primary language.
Education can contribute up to 200 CRS points if the applicant studied exclusively outside Canada, and up to 250 points if one has a post-secondary credential from Canada. You can improve your initial education score by obtaining additional credentials, for example completing another degree, or by obtaining additional Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) for existing degrees.
Gaining skilled work experience—whether before coming to Canada or after studying—can be a strategic way to increase your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for Canadian immigration.
If you're waiting for your study permit to be approved, consider working full-time in your home country or another country where you're legally authorized to work. That time can be put to good use by building your resume and gaining valuable foreign work experience that may later qualify under Express Entry.
Similarly, if you're nearing the end of your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and haven’t received an Invitation to Apply (ITA), going back to your home country (or another country where you can legally work) could be a smart next step—especially if you didn’t have skilled work experience before coming to Canada. As long as the work meets the definition of skilled employment, even temporary or contract roles may be counted toward your CRS score. Combined with strong language test results, foreign work experience can make a significant difference in your overall ranking. Not only does this approach help you stay productive and build your career, but it also shows adaptability and long-term commitment—qualities that strengthen your overall immigration profile.
One of the most effective ways to significantly boost your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is by obtaining a provincial nomination. This can be done either by applying directly to a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream that is aligned with Express Entry, or by first entering the Express Entry pool and waiting for a province to issue you a Notification of Interest. A successful provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to your profile, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence from IRCC.
If you have a spouse or common-law partner, their qualifications including language, education, Canadian work experience, can boost your score.
In some cases, listing your spouse as the principal applicant may result in a higher overall CRS score.
Submitting an Express Entry profile to the government pool of eligible candidates is free of charge. However, candidates incur some costs finishing the complete PR application.
The cost to apply for Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry is $1,525 per applicant, covering both the application processing fee ($950) and the Right of Permanent Residence fee ($575). If you are including a spouse or partner, the same fee of $1,525 applies to them as well. Additionally, there's a fee of $260 for each dependent child.
| Category | Application Processing Fee | Right of Permanent Residence Fee | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principal Applicant | $950 | $575 | $1,525 |
| Spouse/Partner | $950 | $575 | $1,525 |
| Dependent Children | $260 per child | N/A | $260 per child |
Why Hire a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC)?
While hiring a professional is not required, working with an RCIC can significantly improve your chances of success under Express Entry.
Our licensed consultants can: