Express Entry is the primary online application management system utilized by the Government of Canada to select immigrants who possess the skills and experience necessary to contribute to the Canadian economy. It is not an immigration program itself, but rather a digital framework that manages applications for three distinct federal economic immigration programs.
| Program | Target Candidate Profile | Key Requirements |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | Skilled workers who have recent Canadian work experience. | At least one year of skilled work experience (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) in Canada in the last three years. No education requirement, but foreign credentials must be assessed. |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | Skilled workers with foreign experience who want to immigrate to Canada permanently. | Requires a minimum of one year continuous skilled work experience in the last 10 years, adequate settlement funds, and meeting a minimum threshold score (currently 67 out of 100) based on factors like age, education, and language ability. |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) | Skilled workers qualified in a skilled trade. | Requires at least two years of full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time) in a skilled trade in the last five years, a valid job offer OR a certificate of qualification from a Canadian provincial authority. |
1. The Three Programs Managed by Express Entry
To enter the Express Entry pool, candidates must qualify under at least one of these three federal programs:
2. The Four-Step Express Entry Process
The journey from initial assessment to receiving Permanent Resident (PR) status is structured in four core steps:
- Create a Profile and Enter the Pool: Candidates create an online profile, providing details about their language test scores, education, and work history. If they meet the eligibility criteria for at least one program, their profile is accepted into the Express Entry pool.
- Invitation to Apply (ITA): The Canadian government regularly holds Rounds of Invitations. In these rounds, the system issues ITAs to the candidates in the pool who have the highest scores based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
- Apply for Permanent Residence: Candidates who receive an ITA have a limited time (usually 60 days) to submit a full, detailed online application for Permanent Residence (PR), along with all supporting documents.
- Review and Decision: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reviews the application, verifies all submitted documents, and makes a final decision. If approved, the applicant is granted Permanent Resident status.
3. Calculating Your Score: The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
Your position in the pool and your chance of receiving an ITA are determined entirely by your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. The CRS awards points based on the following main factors:
Additional Factors: Points are awarded for having a provincial nomination (worth 600 points), having a valid job offer (up to 200 points), completing Canadian education, or having a sibling in Canada.
Human Capital Factors: Age, education level, official language proficiency (English/French), and Canadian work experience.
Skill Transferability Factors: Combinations of your foreign work experience and your education level, or combinations of Canadian work experience and language ability.
4. Getting Your Documents Ready
Before creating a profile, candidates must have the following required documents prepared, as their scores depend on verifiable information:
- Language Test Results: Results from an approved language test (IELTS, CELPIP for English; TEF, TCF for French) that are less than two years old.
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): An assessment to confirm that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate is valid and equal to a Canadian equivalent.
- Identity and Civil Documents: Passports, birth certificates, and police certificates from every country you have lived in for six months or more since age 18.
- Proof of Funds: Documentation proving you have the required settlement funds (unless you are applying under the CEC or have a valid Canadian job offer).
- Job Offer Documentation (if applicable): A valid job offer from a Canadian employer can grant significant points.
5. Fees and Processing Times
The financial and time commitments are key considerations for any applicant:
| Application Section | Fee (CAD) | Notes |
| Principal Applicant Application Fee | $1,525 | Includes the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF). |
| Spouse/Partner Application Fee | $1,525 | Includes the RPRF. |
| Dependent Child Fee | $260 per child | Does NOT include the RPRF, which may be charged later. |
| Processing Time | Varies by Program | While IRCC’s stated service standard is six months for most Express Entry applications, actual processing times can fluctuate based on application volume and the program stream. |
6. After Receiving the Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Receiving an ITA is not a guarantee of approval; it is an invitation to submit the complete, verified application:
- Submit Application: Within the deadline, you must submit the full online form, upload all supporting documents (which must match the details in your original profile), and pay the final fees.
- Biometrics: You will be requested to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at an approved service point.
- Final Review: IRCC conducts a thorough check for misrepresentation, criminal history, medical admissibility, and verifies every document against your original CRS claim.
- Approval: If approved, you will receive confirmation of your permanent resident status (Confirmation of Permanent Residence – COPR) and instructions on preparing to arrive in Canada.
Express Entry is designed to be fast, efficient, and transparent, prioritizing candidates who are most likely to successfully integrate into Canada’s labour market.
