Express Entry Canada

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is a system used to manage applications for Permanent Residency in Canada under the Federal Economic Immigration programs of:

  1. The Federal Skilled Worker Program.
  2. The Federal Skilled Trades Program.
  3. The Canadian Experience Class.

The Canadian Provinces have also introduced programs associated with Express Entry, through their Provincial Nominee Programs. These programs open and close at various intervals and are dependant on the needs of the Canadian Province.

Candidates within Express Entry are ranked against each other according to points awarded through core attributes; additional points can be gained through a Provincial Nomination or Job offer (LMIA based). Total points available are 1200.

Canada Express Entry Steps  

  • Fill out full profile Express Entry
  • Register with job bank
  • Express entry Pool
  • Invitation to Apply
  • Apply for Permanent Residency  
Step 1Step 2
Candidates complete an online profile that provides information about their Skills, work Experience, Language ability, education and other details. If the candidate is eligible for one of the economic programs, their profile will be accepted into the ‘pool’ of candidates. A candidate must be eligible for one of the Economic programs and will be awarded points for:

  • Language (English or French ability)
  • Qualifying work Experience
  • Age
  • Education
  • Spousal/ partner attributes, if applicable
  • Canadian work/ study experience
  • LMIA job offer or Provincial Nomination
  • Candidates must submit a valid language test and an Educational Credential Assessment (if education is outside of Canada).
  • Candidates without a LMIA job offer must also register with the ESDC Job Bank.

See the Summary of Points awarded

CIC select candidates by issuing an Invitation to apply (ITA). Invitations are issued on a regular basis every 2-4 weeks. Candidates are selected by:

  1. Meeting minimum CRS points
  2. Having a valid LMIA job offer in Canada
  3. Being nominated by a Province

If invited, a candidate has 60 days to submit an online application for Permanent Residence. CIC will usually process this application within 6 months. Once an application is submitted, all information within a candidate’s profile is ‘locked’ and cannot be changed. Invited Candidates must still meet eligibility and admissibility requirements under Canada’s Immigration Law.

A candidate can stay in the pool for up to a year and resubmit their profile if not invited. A candidates CRS points’ may increase or decrease within the pool dependent on changing profile information e.g. age, qualifications, language results.

Express Entry Application

Start your Application For Express Entry to Canada