The Express Entry system in Canada efficiently manages immigration applications for various programs. To be eligible for consideration, candidates must initially submit an Express Entry profile to the candidate pool. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) then evaluates and ranks all profiles against each other, assigning a CRS score out of 1200 points to each candidate.
Express Entry is an online system used by the Canadian government to organize and process applications for skilled workers who wish to immigrate to Canada and acquire Canadian permanent residence status. The system manages three main federal economic programs:
In order to submit a profile through the Express Entry system, candidates must meet the eligibility requirements for one of the three federal programs.
Applying to Express Entry is a three-step process. The first step is to submit your profile which requires the following documents:
Secondly, based on your profile, you will receive a score and become part of the pool of candidates who have created their Express Entry profile. After you receive your score and join the candidate pool, it’s essential to regularly update your information and seek opportunities to enhance your score, thus improving your chances of receiving and invitation.
An finally, if you are chosen, you will be issued an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence. To complete this application, you’ll need to submit a more comprehensive set of documents that support the information you provided. This includes reference letters, additional identity documents, police clearance certificates, and the results of a medical examination.
Individuals with university or college degrees, skilled work experience and moderate proficiency in English and/or French are ideal Express Entry candidates.
The easiest way to find out if you are eligible is to use our free online assessment tool.
In general, to be eligible to apply to Express Entry as a skilled worker, you must:
These are the minimum requirements to apply to Canada’s Express Entry system as a skilled worker. Meeting these requirements doesn’t mean you will receive an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence. Candidates with stronger profiles will always be selected over candidates that simply meet the minimum requirement.
The cost of immigrating to Canada through Express Entry is about $2,300 CAD for a single applicant, or about $4,500 CAD for a couple. The breakdown of costs includes,
No government fees are required to submit your initial Express Entry profile. The fees are only requested when you are invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence. In addition to the government processing fees, you may also need to pay provincial immigration fees if you apply through a PNP.
You should also be aware that unless you are applying under the Canadian Experience Class program or have a valid arranged employment offer, you will need to demonstrate you have sufficient funds to support your resettlement in Canada. These settlement funds are not fees paid to the government but you must have access to them to be approved for a permanent residence visa. The amounts per family size are mentioned in the table below:
Number of Family Members | Funds Required |
---|---|
1 | $14,690 |
2 | $18,288 |
3 | $22,483 |
4 | $27,297 |
5 | $30,690 |
6 | $34,917 |
7 | $38,875 |
If more than 7 people, for each additional family member | $3,958 |
Required amount as of May, 2024 |
You do not require a job offer for Express Entry. The vast majority of candidates selected for Express Entry do not have a formal Canadian job offer.
If you do have a valid Canadian job offer, this can add up to 200 points to your CRS score.
Express Entry can take as little as six months to process, from submission of the Express Entry profile to the issuance of a permanent resident visa. However, not all cases will proceed this quickly. Your Express Entry profile will remain active in the pool of candidates for 12 months if you do not receive an invitation to apply. If after 12 months you have not received an invitation, you are welcome to resubmit your profile and remain in the pool. To break it down further:
For more in detail information please read our blog article: Breaking Down the Process: How Long Does Express Entry Take in Canada?
When people refer to Canada’s “Express Entry points”, they are usually referring to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Canada uses the CRS score to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool using a series of factors, including:
For an estimate of your CRS score, use our CRS calculator tool.
It is impossible to predict how the CRS score will fluctuate in the future. No lawyer or consultant can predict this, nor can they guarantee that a person will successfully receive permanent residence through the Express Entry system.
Further, with more and more provinces selecting profiles from the Express Entry pool, a candidate’s CRS score is losing its importance. Instead, Provincial Nominee Programs look for candidates that can fill local labour market or demographic gaps. This means that candidates with in-demand skills or work experience can still succeed in the pool of candidates, even with a low CRS score.
The Canadian government has also hinted at moving to occupation-based Express Entry draws, which could make the CRS score obsolete.
There are several options for increasing a person’s CRS score or improve their profiles to increase chances to be selected for Canada’s Express Entry. To learn more about your eligibility for Express Entry or PNP, complete our free online assessment form.
There is no one-size-fits-all type of profile that is eligible for Express Entry. Candidates who enter the pool receive a comprehensive ranking system (CRS) score. Those who rank higher, are more likely to receive an invitation to apply. Selection factors that can influence your CRS score are language proficiency, your age, your level of work experience, education, and Canadian connections.
Ideal Express Entry candidates would meet the following requirements:
Other factors that can really boost your CRS score can include:
To apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), candidates must first score at least 67 on the FSW eligibility points grid. Once an FSW candidate, or any other Express Entry candidate, enters the Express Entry pool, they will receive a CRS score. Canada uses the CRS score rank all candidates against each other in the pool. Approximately every two weeks, the Government of Canada holds an Express Entry draw, setting a minimum CRS score cut-off. Those in the pool with a CRS score above the cut-off will receive an Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residence.
The minimum CRS score required to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence changes from draw to draw. For this reason, it is important to take steps to improve your ranking in the pool of candidates to increase your chances of receiving an invitation.
Express Entry language points are based on what a candidate scores on one of Canada’s official English or French exams. If a candidate has a strong proficiency in both French or English, they can maximize the number of points received under the language factor of their CRS score.
Language proficiency is a crucial criterion, so you need to take the IELTS or another approved language test as part of the eligibility requirements. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is only one of the three accepted tests to demonstrate your ability in English. These types of tests measure your abilities in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Your IELTS or CELPIP score can have a significant impact on your CRS score. Scoring at least a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 9 in each area of the exam can double your skill transferability factor points, which can considerably increase your CRS score.
Express Entry candidates may demonstrate their proficiency in one of Canada’s official languages – French or English. If you have a stronger proficiency in French, you may choose to take the French exam instead. In this case, you do not need to take the IELTS or CELPIP exam. Instead, you should aim to score a minimum of CLB 9 on each area of the French exam to maximize your language points.
If you are submitting an Express Entry profile through the FSW program with an accompanying spouse or common law, they may need to take a language exam, such as the IELTS, depending on your FSW score. If your spouse or common law partner scores a minimum of CLB 4 in each area of one of IRCC’s designated language exams, you can claim an additional 5 points toward your FSW score. If your score is below 67, these points could help render you eligible to submit a profile.
Your spouse or common law partner’s language results may also help to increase your CRS score, and improve your chances to be selected.
If your Express Entry score is zero, it means your profile does not meet the eligibility requirements. This can occur right away after submitting your Express Entry profile, or after your profile has been in the pool for months. Some common reasons a profile becomes no longer eligible include:
There is no specific CRS score that will guarantee an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence. The CRS cut-off is always fluctuating Government of Canada does not release the CRS cut-off targeted ahead of each Express Entry draw.
The CRS cut-off for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) specific Express Entry draws due to the additional points given to candidates with a nomination on their profile.
Express Entry candidates may receive 600 points toward their CRS score upon receiving a provincial nomination.
In 2021, Canada alternated between holding Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws. In 2021, the CRS cut-off in CEC draws reached record lows. In February 2021, the Canadian government invited over 27,000 CEC candidates with CRS scores as low as 75. The CRS cut-off for PNP draws ranged between the 600-800s. The high CRS cut-off in PNP draws is due to the additional 600 points given to PNP candidates. That means that, prior to receiving a nomination, the lowest ranking PNP candidate had a CRS score of less than 100.
The lowest CRS score selected in 2019 was 438 – however, there is no guarantee that having this score will result in an invitation. Whether you receive an invitation from the federal or provincial government will depend on various external factors, in addition to your own individual profile.
A CRS score in the mid to high 400s is typically considered a good score, which may help your chances of being selected by a province.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, provinces have continued to invite candidates directly from the Express Entry pool, sometimes targeting a minimum CRS cut-off, sometimes only targeting other factors such as work experience, or the candidates score on their own points grid.
Since the CRS cut-off cannot be predicted ahead of each draw score, it is important to take measures to maximize your CRS score wherever possible.
For a history of past draws and CRS cut-offs, visit our dedicated Express Entry draw page.
To calculate your CRS score, you first need to understand how Canada awards points to Express Entry candidates through the Comprehensive Ranking System. You can then calculate your points against each factor to determine how you rank in the pool.
To receive an estimate of your CRS score, fill out our free CRS score calculator tool.
An Express Entry profile is an electronic form submitted by eligible candidates that includes personal details such as age, work experience, education, ability in French and English, family details, and ties to Canada.
Using these details, Canada ranks profiles in the pool of candidates against one another and determine who receives an invitation.
To create an Express Entry profile, you must first create an IRCC secure account. If a representative is submitting a profile on your behalf, they will submit the profile through their Authorized Paid Representatives Portal.
After creating an account, you or your representative will need to fill out an eligibility questionnaire to determine if you qualify for an Express Entry program. If you are eligible, the next step is to fill out an online form with your information, including details on your age, work experience, education, and language test results. Once the form is submitted, the Express Entry system will automatically determine your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and which program you are eligible under.
Most Express Entry programs require a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in each area of the French or English language exam (band 6 in each area of the IELTS exam).
There are some exceptions to this minimum requirement for candidates applying under the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program, or CEC applicants with a primary occupation in NOC skill type B.
Yes, you can apply for Express Entry while you are in Canada. Being physically present in Canada does not affect your eligibility to submit an Express Entry profile or receive an invitation to apply for permanent residency. Many applicants submit their applications from within Canada, often while on a temporary work permit or as students who have completed their studies and are currently working under a Post-Graduation Work Permit. If you meet the eligibility requirements, which include factors such as work experience, education, and language proficiency, you can create an Express Entry profile and may be invited to apply for permanent residency, regardless of your current location within Canada.
The ECA report required for Express Entry must be issued for immigration purposes. To read more about Education Credential Assessment reports, visit our dedicated page.
Adding a valid Canadian job offer may increase your Express Entry CRS score by 50-200 points. In most cases, a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is required for these points to be awarded.
An informal job offer will not award any additional points to your Express Entry profile and should not be mentioned in the application.
You can find your NOC code by searching the NOC matrix for your job title or industry. It is important to make sure the majority of the main duties listed on the NOC you choose match your job description.
For a full guide on how to find your NOC code, visit our dedicated page.
To submit a profile, you must meet the minimum requirements for one of the Federal Express Entry programs. If you are ineligible to submit a profile, it may be because you do not meet the minimum program requirements, or have less than the required minimum proof of funds.
To check the status of your Express Entry profile, you must log into your IRCC account and click “View the applications you submitted”, then “Express Entry profile status”, and “View your profile”.
An Express Entry profile is valid for 12 months. However, if become ineligible for Express Entry while you are in the pool, your profile may be removed before 12 months has passed.
An Invitation to Apply (ITA) is an invitation to submit an application for permanent residence to certain people who have submitted an Express Entry profile. To accept an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you must submit a full application for permanent residence within 60 days of receiving the invitation.
If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you must submit an application for permanent residence within 60 days. If you miss the deadline or decline, your ITA will disappear, and you may not receive another invitation.
Each country has different instructions on how to obtain a police clearance certificate (PCC) for Express Entry. To receive country-specific instructions on how to obtain a PCC, visit IRCC’s webpage.
To prove your work experience for Express Entry, you need to provide various documents, whether your experience was gained internationally or within Canada. The primary document is a reference letter from your employer. If you are self-employed, you’ll need to submit articles of incorporation, proof of income, and third-party documentation confirming your services. Other acceptable documents include employment contracts, promotion letters, pay stubs, and sworn declarations from former colleagues.
For more detailed information, read our full article, Proof of Work Experience for Express Entry. It provides comprehensive insights into the documents needed and how immigration officers verify the authenticity of your work experience.
To obtain a medical report for Express Entry, you must see an IRCC panel physician. For more information on this requirement, visit our Canada Immigration Medical Exam Report page.
To demonstrate proof of funds for Express Entry, applicants must submit letters from financial institutes where they keep their money. The letter must include the following:
If you do not have enough CRS points to be invited in a federal draw, a PNP may be an option to increase your chances.
Most PNPs require an applicant to have an Express Entry profile. Since an Express Entry profile is free to submit, you don’t stand to lose anything by creating one.
If you are selected in a federal Express Entry draw without a PNP, this is a better option as it will bypass the need for additional provincial processing time.
Please read our full guide where we compare the Key Differences Between Express Entry and PNPs
The best way to determine whether a PNP or Express Entry is better for you is to complete our free online immigration assessment.
If you are applying through a PNP, you will eventually need to apply to the federal government for permanent residence status. How you submit your permanent residence application will depend on whether your PNP is aligned with the Express Entry system (‘Enhanced’).
If your PNP is Enhanced, you can submit your permanent residence application through the Express Entry system for expedited processing. Candidates who receive a nomination under an Express Entry-aligned, or Enhanced, PNP will receive an additional 600 points toward their CRS score. These additional points essentially guarantee an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through the subsequent draw in the Express Entry pool. The IRCC aims for a 6-month processing time, but current processing times vary and we recommend you check the IRCC’s website at the time of applying for the most up-to-date information.
If your PNP is ‘Base’, you will need to submit it through the non-Express Entry permanent residence portal. Base PNPs operate outside of the Express Entry system and are subject to the standard PNP processing time, typically much slower than Enhanced PNP applications.
Check if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada through Express EntryReceiving a nomination from a Provincial Nominee Program could increase your Express Entry CRS score by 600 points. These additional points essentially guarantee an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence.
Several Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), referred to as ‘Enhanced’ PNPs, utilize the Express Entry system. Being nominated for permanent residence through an Enhanced PNP allows you to apply through the Express Entry system. Some Provincial Nominee Programs that follow this approach include:
Unlike some programs, which open and close application intake throughout the year, Express Entry remains open for candidates to submit an Express Entry profile year-round.
Express Entry is a system manages applications for permanent residency through three main immigration programs.
Approximately every two weeks, Canada issues a round of invitations to candidates with a profile in the Express Entry pool that meet a specified CRS cut-off. Candidates that receive an invitation in an Express Entry draw may apply for Canadian permanent residence status.
For more in depth information about the draws, read our Express Entry Draws Guide
While there is no set schedule for Express Entry draws, they are typically held every two weeks, usually on a Wednesday or Tuesday.
If you want to be up to date with the latest trends and predictions for this year’s Express Entry draws, head to our page titled ‘When is the next Express Entry draw?‘ to gain insights into draw patterns and anticipate what’s to come.
There are a few different types of Express Entry draws that usually take place. Typically there is a mix of either all-program draws, program-specific draws, or category-based draws. Currently, there is no set number for each type of draw nor a set frequency for each type of draw.
For more in depth information about the different types of Express Entry draws, read our Express Entry Draws Guide
Once you have submitted an Express Entry profile, you will receive a confirmation letter that contains your Express Entry profile number. The number will be indicated in the top left-hand corner and should start with “E”.
The IRCC online portal often experiences technical issues which can prevent someone from accessing their Express Entry profile. These issues can often be solved by clearing your browser cache, or by using a different web browser.
No, you cannot apply for Express Entry without work experience. All economic programs managed by the Express Entry pathway require at least one year of skilled work experience to be eligible.
If you do not have a full year of skilled work experience, you will not meet the minimum criteria for the Express Entry pool and therefore will not be eligible to create your profile and apply.
To keep up to date on the latest Express Entry news, subscribe to our Canadim Immigration Newsletters.
The service-standard processing time for Express Entry applications is 6 months. However, there are many factors that may delay an applicant’s processing time, including: Country of residence, Type of application; and Completeness. For more information on processing time, please visit our dedicated blog post: Canadian Immigration Processing Times: How Long Does it Take?
Important Note: The processing times do not include the time it takes to submit an Express Entry profile, receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), and prepare the final application for submission. If you’re looking to find out the estimated duration for the entire Express Entry process, starting from the preparation stage, please read our guide How Long Does Express Entry Take in Canada?
There is no maximum age for Express Entry applicants. Applicants 20-29 receive the highest points for age. If you are significantly older than 35, but you have a high level of education or connections in Canada, these can easily overcome points lost for age.
No, you cannot have two Express Entry applications for the same applicant at the same time. However, if you have a spouse or common law partner, you can submit an application under your spouse or common law partner’s profile if they are eligible. Therefore one applicant cannot have multiple Express Entry profiles but you can have two profiles for the same family, in some circumstances.
If after 12 months you are not invited to apply, you can resubmit your profile and stay in the Express Entry pool for an additional 12 months. This can be repeated as many times as necessary.
Express Entry uses a two-step system to manage the intake of immigrants:
Good news, if you’ve submitted your Express Entry profile and you have not yet received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence, then you’re in the clear to make changes! You can fix mistakes or even add new documents (for example, if you retake your IELTS exam and get a better score). But there are specific steps to follow. Here they are:
Quick reminder: Every time you enter a form and click on “Save and exit,” you’ll also notice a “Revert changes” button. It will be there even if no changes were made. Don’t panic. If you haven’t made any changes, hit the “Revert changes” button to make sure that the electronic system knows no changes were made.
Please note that if you make changes that affect your eligibility or your CRS score, the system will update your profile to reflect these changes within 24 hours.
Now for the bad news—there are a few situations in which you cannot make changes to your profile.
If your profile doesn’t meet the criteria for one of Canada’s Express Entry programs, it will be refused and you cannot update it. How do you know if you’ve been found ineligible? That’s easy. If you log onto your Express Entry profile and you only have the option to “View profile,” it means your profile has been reviewed and refused. The system will state that your profile was ineligible.
But don’t give up yet. You still have one option. You won’t be able to update your profile, but you can still submit a new profile. However, if you were considered not eligible based on your qualifications, you should probably wait until you’ve increased your eligibility before submitting another application. On your second application, be certain to enter and review all of the necessary information carefully to avoid any mistakes.
If your Express Entry profile receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence then all the information entered into the profile becomes locked in place. While you can technically amend the information when preparing your final application, you should try to avoid this. If you make any changes to your application which makes you ineligible, your application will be refused. As well, the immigration officer handling your file reserves the right to request more information about any discrepancies between the original profile and the final application.
A note on misrepresentation: Lying or providing false information on an immigration application is a serious offense. If a person is caught doing this they may be charged with misrepresentation, resulting in a 5-year ban from submitting any applications for Canadian immigration.
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