Express Entry

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Express Entry

Your Gateway to Canadian Permanent Residency

Express Entry is the digital pathway for skilled individuals aiming to achieve permanent residency in Canada. This streamlined system effectively manages applications under three distinct programs:

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

Here’s how it works:

Eligibility Test
Once an applicant submits an online profile, the federal government evaluates their eligibility for one of these Express Entry-managed programs. Eligible candidates are then welcomed into the Express Entry pool and systematically ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
The CRS
This is a points-based assessment system that considers age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and more. It forms the basis for ranking candidates in the Express Entry pool.
The Final Call
When the time is right, the Canadian government extends Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence to the highest-scoring candidates from the pool. Additionally, Canada also offers specific categories for candidates to receive ITAs through category-based selection.

The Complete Journey

How Express Entry Works

  • Eligibility Assessment
      Find out if you qualify for Express Entry. Meet the criteria for one of three programs:
      • Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
      • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
      • Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
  • Language Testing and ECA
      Demonstrate language proficiency with tests in English and French, and if necessary, obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for verifying qualifications.
  • Profile Submission
      Create and submit your Express Entry profile through the IRCC website, expressing your interest.
  • Round of Invitations (Draws)
      IRCC holds rounds of invitations, known as “draws,” where top candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores.
  • Types of Draws
    • General Rounds: Invitations to candidates with the highest CRS scores.
    • Program-Specific Rounds: Invitations for high-scoring candidates eligible for specific Express Entry programs.
    • Category-Based Rounds: Invitations for high-ranking candidates in specific categories designated by IRCC to meet economic goals.
  • Step-by-step Application Process for PERMANENT RESIDENCE:
    • Wait for an Invitation: Await an ITA from IRCC.
    • Complete Application: Once you receive an ITA, complete and submit your Application for Permanent Residence (APR) to IRCC, with fees paid within the specified timeframe.
    • Provide Supporting Documents: Include required documents, such as medical exams and police certificates. IRCC acknowledges receipt of your application (AOR).
    • Biometrics: Submit your biometrics when requested.
    • Application Review: IRCC aims to finalize applications in six months or less, reviewing all documents and information.
    • Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR): If your application is approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and, if applicable, a permanent resident visa. This allows you to travel to Canada for your landing.
    • Completion: After arriving in Canada, complete your landing process and officially become a permanent resident.

Required Documents

What you need to submit for your Express Entry Profile

When submitting your Express Entry profile, you’ll need to provide information from the following documents:
Passport or Travel Document
A copy or details from your passport or travel document.
Language Test Results
Proof of your language proficiency in English and/or French. This can include your test results, such as IELTS or CELPIP for English or TEF for French.
Canadian Education or Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Report
Documentation confirming your Canadian educational qualifications or an ECA report to assess your foreign educational credentials.
Proof of Funds
Evidence of your financial capacity to support yourself and your family in Canada. The exact amount required may vary based on your circumstances.
Provincial Nomination (if applicable)
If you have received a provincial nomination from a Canadian province or territory, include this as part of your application.
Written Job Offer from an Employer in Canada (if applicable)
If you have a written job offer from a Canadian employer, provide the details and documentation.
Prohibited Employment
Do not plan to work for an employer who regularly offers services such as striptease, erotic dance, escort services, or erotic massages.

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

Shaping Canadian Immigration Since 1967

In 1967, Canada embarked on a transformative journey by launching the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). This program was designed to welcome immigrants from across the globe, aiming to select skilled workers objectively and fairly. Before the FSWP’s introduction, Canada’s approach to skilled worker immigration was subjective, relying on the discretion of individual immigration officers. They made judgment calls on candidates’ potential to integrate into the Canadian job market. The FSWP revolutionized this process. The Federal Skilled Worker Program is your ticket to a diverse and welcoming country where you can pursue your dreams and contribute to its thriving economy

Application Process

  • Eligibility Check

    Eligibility Assessment: First, determine if you meet the FSWP's eligibility criteria. Ensure you have the necessary work experience, language proficiency, education, and minimum points score.

  • Express Entry Profile

    Express Entry Submission: If eligible, create and submit your Express Entry profile. This step initiates your journey towards Canadian permanent residency.

  • Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score

    CRS Evaluation: You’ll receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors like your age, education, language skills, and work experience. This score will determine your ranking among candidates.

  • Express Entry Draws

    Regular Draws: Typically every two weeks, the Canadian government conducts Express Entry draws. Candidates with the highest CRS scores are invited to apply for permanent residence.

  • Permanent Residency Application

    Application Submission: Once invited, submit your completed application for permanent residence.

  • Permanent Residence Status

    Status Approval: Expect to receive your permanent residence status within approximately six months.

  • Fly to Canada

    Settle in Canada: Once approved, you can start planning your move to Canada, where you’ll embark on a new chapter in your life.

The selection factors are as follows:
Factors Points
Education
Up to 25 points
Language Skills
Up to 28 points
Work Experience
Up to 15 points
Age
Up to 12 points
Arranged Employment
Up to 10 points
Adaptability
Up to 10 points

CANADIAN EXPERIENCE CLASS (CEC)

Enhance Your Future with CEC

Since its inception, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program has evolved into one of Canada's most prominent immigration pathways for skilled workers. It is celebrated as a resounding success by various stakeholders, including governments across Canada, local communities, employers, and the immigration candidates themselves. If you are interested in pursuing permanent residence through this program, learn more about the eligibility criteria and application process on the official IRCC website LINK IRCC WEBSITE. Take the first step towards building a successful life in Canada with CEC.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Work Experience

    Have obtained at least one year of skilled, professional or technical work experience in Canada within 36 months of the application date.

  • Language Proficiency

    Meet or surpass a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 5 ("initial intermediate") for NOC TEER category 2 or 3 jobs or CLB 7 ("adequate intermediate proficiency"), for NOC TEER category 0 or 1 jobs.

  • Location

    Plan to live and work outside of the province of Quebec (individuals with work experience in Quebec and who plan to reside in Quebec may apply to the Quebec Experience Class).

Key details you need to know about CEC

01
Kickstart Your Career Right
Self-employment and work experience during full-time student life, like co-op terms, don't count in this program.
02
Education, Your Bonus Points
No education requirement for CEC, but if you've got a Canadian educational credential or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for your foreign education, you'll earn extra points in the Express Entry pool.
03
Stay or Return, You're Welcome
You can stay in Canada during the application process. Even if you've left Canada, you can still apply if it's within three years of leaving your Canadian job.
04
Pass the Test
CEC's requirements follow a simple "pass or fail" model. Meet the minimum requirements, and you're good to dive into the Express Entry pool.
05
No Points Panic
No need to fret about scoring 67 points. The CEC doesn't demand it.

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

Unlocking Immigration Opportunities

In 2013, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) to open doors for skilled trades workers to make Canada their home.

  • Express Entry Link

    The FSTP is one of three federal economic programs operated under Canada's Express Entry system. Express Entry is the primary gateway for economic class skilled workers to begin their journey to Canada. With Canada's Immigration Levels Plan aiming to welcome over 400,000 new immigrants each year, there's an average of 110,000 annual immigration spots allotted to Express Entry.

  • Multiple Paths to Canada

    FSTP is just one route for skilled trades professionals to immigrate to Canada. Other avenues include exploring various federal immigration programs, opting for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), or choosing Quebec as your immigration destination. Skilled trades play a pivotal role in Canada's knowledge-based economy, ensuring its competitive edge. The FSTP, launched in 2013, was a response to the urgent need for skilled trade workers in high-growth areas driven by Canada's thriving economy.

  • Empowering Skilled Trades Professionals

    The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is your key to achieving permanent residency in Canada as a skilled tradesperson.

Qualification Criteria for FSTP

  • Work Experience

    At least 2 years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time work experience) in a skilled trade within the 5 years before your application.

  • Job Offer or Certification

    A valid job offer for full-time employment for a total of at least 1 year from one or two employers in Canada, or a certificate of qualification in the skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal authority.

  • Language Proficiency

    Achieve a minimum level of CLB 5 in Speaking & Listening and CLB 4 in Reading & Writing in official languages.

  • Job Requirements

    Meet the job requirements for your skilled trade as specified in the National Occupational Classification, except for the need for a certificate of qualification.

  • Skills Demonstration

    Demonstrate your skills, experience, and the ability to perform the essential duties of your occupation.

SKILLED WORK EXPERIENCE ELIGIBLE FOR THE FSTP FALLS UNDER THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES OF THE NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASSIFICATION (NOC):
  • Major Group 72: industrial, electrical and construction trades
  • Major Group 73: maintenance and equipment operation trades,
  • Major Group 82: supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production,
  • Major Group 92: processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators,
  • Minor Group 632: chefs and cooks, and
  • Minor Group 633: butchers and bakers.

  • Embrace Your Skilled Journey, Craft Your Canadian Dream with FSTP!

    Provinces and territories (PTs) in Canada with Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) have a remarkable tool at their disposal – the ability to nominate candidates through the Express Entry pool. But that's not all; they can still nominate foreign nationals through the traditional paper-based process. PT nominations made via Express Entry are referred to as "enhanced nominations.

  • Enhanced Nominations: Expanding Horizons

    Enhanced nominations provide an incredible opportunity for each PT to expand its annual nomination space. These nominations are not only efficient but also streamlined, creating a more accessible pathway to Canadian immigration.

  • Minimum Program Requirements

    To be eligible for the Provincial Nominee Class program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

    • Valid PT Nomination: The applicant must have a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination that has been officially validated by the nominating province or territory.
    • Federal Immigration Program: The applicant should meet the program requirements of one of the Express Entry federal immigration programs. This includes the following options:
      1. Federal Skilled Worker Program
      2. Federal Skilled Trades Program
      3. Canadian Experience Class

Express Entry is an electronic management system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage and process applications received through four of Canada’s federal economic immigration programs for skilled workers.

Interested Candidates are required to submit an online application to express their interest by creating Express Entry (EE) profile and, providing information about their skills, work experience, language ability, education, and some other details. After submitting the profile, candidates get a score to determine their place in the pool using the point-based system called Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS system considers skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other factors (e.g. having a sibling in Canada, Canadian education or a valid job offer in Canada, etc.) to award points. Highest ranking candidates from Express Entry pool are regularly invited to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence.

Potential candidates make an expression of interest (EOI) by creating an Express Entry profile and providing information about their education, skills, experience, language ability, and other personal information.

No Government fee is required to submit an Express Entry profile. The fee is only requested when you are invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

There are several layers of cost to consider for Express Entry. Language tests Cost varies by test and location, but typically between $200 CAD and $500 CAD per exam Educational Credentials Assessment Cost varies by service provider and service selected, but typically between $200 CAD and $400 CAD. Application & Processing Fees These fees are only charged after you receive an ITA and once you are ready to submit your final permanent residence application. Processing fees $825 CAD per adult; $225 CAD per child Right of Permanent Residence Fee $500 CAD per adult, dependent children are not required to pay this fee Biometrics $85.00 CAD per person

Unless you are applying under the Canadian Experience Class program or have a valid arranged offer of employment from a Canadian employer, you will need to demonstrate you have sufficient funds to support your resettlement in Canada. These settlement fees are not fees paid to the Government, but you must have access to them to be approved for a permanent residence visa. The amount of money you need to support your family depends on the size of your family. To calculate the size of your family you must include yourself, your spouse or partner, your dependent children and, your spouse’s dependent children. You must also include your spouse or dependent children even if they are permanent residents or Canadian Citizens not coming to Canada with you. This table shows the minimum amount you need to immigrate to Canada. If you have more money, you should list the full amount in your profile or application.

Number of
family members		Funds required
(in Canadian dollars)
1$12,960
2$16,135
3$19,836
4$24,083
5$27,315
6$30,806
7$34,299
For each additional family member$3,492

If the information provided by the potential candidate turns out to be false, this is known as misrepresentation and, depending on the nature and severity of the false claim, carries penalties. A potential candidate who has been found to have provided false information going into the Express Entry pool can be banned from re-entering the pool for five years. Therefore, it is important to provide accurate and correct information while creating the profile.

All candidates who create their Express Entry profile are given a score, out of 1,200, based on factors that play an important role in the economic success of the newcomers once they migrate to Canada. The Comprehensive Ranking System ranks eligible candidates through Express Entry under the following components:

Core human capital factors
Candidates are awarded points for their age, education, language proficiency and Canadian work experience. These are considered as key to economic success for immigrants.

Spouse or common-law partner factors
Candidate’s are awarded points for education, language proficiency and Canadian work experience of their accompanying spouse or common-law partner.

Skill transferability factors
A maximum of 100 points are awarded for a candidate’s skill transferability factors. There are five combinations of such skill transferability, with a maximum of 50 points awarded for each combination. Even if a candidate scores more than 100 points in total, only 100 points will be awarded under the Comprehensive Ranking System.

Additional factors
This section awards 600 additional points for a Provincial nomination, and other additional points for a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, Canadian education/experience, a sibling in Canada, and/or French language ability.

After submitting the express entry profile, candidates get a score to determine their place in the pool using the point-based system called Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS system considers skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other factors (e.g. having a sibling in Canada, Canadian education or a valid job offer in Canada, etc.) to award points.

Candidates are required to update their profile to reflect any changes in their status, such as in language ability, family composition, work experience, or education credentials.

Highest ranking candidates from Express Entry pool are regularly invited to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence. If a candidate’s score is close to, equal or higher than the minimum CRS score cut-off in most recent Express Entry draws, then they will likely be competitive in the Express Entry pool candidates.

Usually, it is impossible to predict the minimum CRS score cut-off in future Express Entry draws. The CRS score cut-off is impacted by a range of factors, including difference between two consecutive draws, number of ITA’s issued in each draw, and how many new candidates have entered the pool or increased their CRS score. If more time passes between two consecutive draws, typically the minimum CRS score cut-off increases, as more candidates will have time to enter the pool and existing candidates have more time to improve their scores.

There are few factors under CRS which may help you in improving your CRS score.

Language Skills
This factor can award up to 260 CRS points for a single candidate and up to 270 points for a couple? Language is not only the most valued human capital factor under the Comprehensive Ranking System, but it is also a factor where incremental gains can make a huge difference. Extra points are awarded for each improvement in language test results across the four language abilities (reading, writing, listening & speaking). Highest threshold is obtained when a candidate achieves a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 9 in each ability. Higher CLB also triggers an increase in points under skills transferability factors (education and work experience).

To reach CLB 9 on the IELTS General Training exam, you must achieve the following minimum scores:

Listening 8.0 | Speaking 7.0 | Reading | 7.0 Writing 7.0

To reach CLB 9 on the CELPIP general exam, you must achieve a minimum score of 9 in each of the four abilities (reading, writing, listening & speaking).

Work Experience
If you are working outside Canada but have less than three years of full-time experience, keep working! Try to accumulate more than three years of work experience because, it will give you more points under skills transferability factors. If you are already working in Canada on a work permit the same applies. If you indicate that your employment is ongoing on your Express Entry profile, your CRS score will automatically update when you reach a new threshold of work experience. Although there are limits as to how many CRS points you can earn, however, more work experience and skills may be in demand in a specific province which could lead to a coveted Provincial Nomination.

Spouse
Candidates with a spouse, however, may have additional potential for improving their CRS score because the spouses’ level of education, language ability, and Canadian work experience may all be rewarded. You can add up to 20 points to your CRS through your partner’s first language scores. You can add up to 10 points to your CRS score by getting ECA done for your partner’s education.

Job Offer
A job offer from a Canadian employer will bring you 50 CRS points. If you are not currently in Canada, obtaining a job offer from a Canadian employer may be difficult, but there are plenty of online resources where you may find employment opportunities.

Provincial Nomination
If you want a 600 boost to your CRS score, plus the knowledge &b skills that you are being welcomed with open arms into your chosen destination province. A nomination from one of the provinces under Express Entry Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) adds 600 additional points to your overall CRS and in most cases will secure you an ITA in the next draw. Many Canadian provinces have been using their Express Entry aligned “enhanced” PNP streams in innovative, dynamic ways. Ontario has targeted specific occupation groups, notably in the Information Technology (IT) sector, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan have PNP streams for candidates across a range of occupations (no job offer required!), British Columbia continues to invite candidates to apply under its unique system; Alberta and Manitoba have entirely new Express Entry aligned streams and other provinces have also been on board, issuing nominations to candidates in the Express Entry pool

PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAMS WITH EXPRESS ENTRY STREAMS

Explore the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) across Canada that offer streams within the Express Entry system. These programs provide a pathway to Canadian immigration for eligible candidates

  • British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP)
  • Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
  • Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
  • Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
  • Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
  • Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP)
  • Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
  • New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
  • Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)
  • Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)