About Express Entry
Canada’s Fastest Path to Permanent Residence
Introduction
Express Entry is the official online system used by the Government of Canada to manage permanent residence applications for skilled workers. It is not a program itself — it is the system through which skilled workers apply. The process is competitive, points-based, and entirely online.
It manages three federal economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Qualified candidates who meet the eligibility requirements of one of these programs can create an Express Entry profile. They are then ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which evaluates factors like age, education, language proficiency, and work experience.
Key Updates — 2026
- As of March 25, 2025, IRCC no longer awards CRS points for job offers, even those supported by an LMIA. Job offers may still be required for eligibility under FSTP.
- Category-Based Draws continue to target specific sectors and language profiles including healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, education, agriculture, and French-language proficiency.
- Proof of Funds requirements have been updated — check the latest minimums for your family size directly on the IRCC website.
- Express Entry application processing times are currently 6 to 12 months for most complete applications.
How Does Express Entry Work?
Express Entry works in four stages:
1. Check Your Eligibility Confirm you qualify for at least one of the three Express Entry programs based on your work experience, education, and language ability.
2. Create Your Profile Submit an online profile to the Express Entry pool with details about your skills, work history, education, and language test results.
3. Receive Your CRS Score Every profile is assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score out of 1,200 points based on factors such as age, education, language proficiency, and work experience.
4. Get Invited to Apply IRCC regularly holds draws from the Express Entry pool. Candidates with the highest CRS scores receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Once you receive an ITA, you have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application.
There are three types of draws:
- General draws — based on overall CRS score
- Program-specific draws — targeting one of the three programs
- Category-based draws — targeting specific occupations or language profiles
You can track recent draw results on our Draw Results page.
Step-by-Step Application Guide
- Check if you qualify for FSWP, CEC, or FSTP
- Take a language test (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF)
- Get your foreign credentials assessed through an ECA
- Create your Express Entry profile on the IRCC website
- Wait for an ITA through regular Express Entry draws
- Submit a complete Application for Permanent Residence (APR) within 60 days
- Provide biometrics and complete your medical exam
- Wait for final approval and receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)
The Three Express Entry Programs
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- For professionals with skilled work experience outside Canada
- Requires at least 1 year of continuous full-time work experience in TEER 0–3 occupations within the last 10 years
- Must score at least 67 points on the FSWP selection grid
- Minimum CLB 7 in English or French
- Foreign education must be assessed through an ECA
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- For workers who have gained skilled work experience in Canada
- Requires at least 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada within the last 3 years
- Minimum CLB 7 for TEER 0 and 1 occupations
- Minimum CLB 5 for TEER 2 and 3 occupations
- No education requirement
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- For experienced tradespeople
- Requires 2 years of skilled trades experience within the last 5 years
- Minimum CLB 5 for speaking and listening
- Minimum CLB 4 for reading and writing
- Must have either a valid job offer or a Certificate of Qualification
Express Entry Program Requirements at a Glance:
| Program | Work Experience | Language Requirement | Education | Job Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEC | 1 year in Canada (last 3 years) | CLB 7 (TEER 0/1) CLB 5 (TEER 2/3) | Not required | Not required |
| FSWP | 1 year (last 10 years) | CLB 7 | Minimum secondary | Not required |
| FSTP | 2 years (last 5 years) | CLB 5 (speaking/listening) CLB 4 (reading/writing) | Not required | Required or Certificate of Qualification |
CRS Score — What It Is and Why It Matters
Your CRS score determines your place in the Express Entry pool. The higher your score, the better your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply.
Your score is based on:
- Age
- Education
- Language ability in English and/or French
- Canadian and foreign work experience
- Spouse or partner’s qualifications (if applicable)
- Provincial nomination (+600 points)
Note: As of March 25, 2025, CRS points are no longer awarded for job offers — even those supported by an LMIA.
How to Improve Your CRS Score
- Retake your language test to achieve a higher score
- Add your spouse as the main applicant if they have a stronger profile
- Gain additional Canadian work experience
- Complete a Canadian education program
- Apply for a provincial nomination — adds 600 points and virtually guarantees an ITA
- Target category-based draws that match your occupation or language profile
Category-Based Selection — Current Categories
Since 2023, IRCC has been conducting targeted draws for specific categories of candidates. If your profile fits one of the categories below, you may receive an Invitation to Apply even with a lower CRS score than in a general draw.
Current categories are:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare and social services occupations
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
- Trade occupations
- Education occupations
- Transport occupations
- Physicians with Canadian work experience
- Senior managers with Canadian work experience
- Researchers with Canadian work experience
- Skilled military recruits
Important: Category-based draws have their own minimum CRS score cutoffs, which change with every draw. Your occupation must align with the category based on your NOC code.
Job Offers and Express Entry
You do not need a job offer to apply through Express Entry. However, a valid job offer may support your eligibility under certain streams.
To be considered valid, a job offer must be:
- Full-time and non-seasonal
- For at least 1 year
- In a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation
- Supported by an LMIA unless exempt
LMIA exemptions include:
- International agreements such as CUSMA
- Intra-company transfers
- Significant benefit to Canada
Proof of Funds
You must show sufficient settlement funds unless you are applying under the CEC or have a valid LMIA-supported job offer.
Your funds must be:
- Available and transferable
- Free of debts or conditions
Check the current minimum amounts on the IRCC website as these are updated regularly.
Documents You Need
- Valid passport
- Language test results
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Certificate of Qualification (if applicable)
- Job Offer (if applicable)
- Proof of work experience
- Proof of funds (unless exempt)
- Police certificates
- Biometrics
- Provincial nomination (if applicable) — adds 600 CRS points
Can Your Family Come With You?
Yes. You may include your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children in your application. All accompanying family members will receive permanent residence along with you.
Including your spouse in your application may also increase your CRS score if they have strong language skills or Canadian education.
Application Costs
- Principal applicant — $1,525 CAD (processing fee + right of permanent residence fee)
- Spouse or common-law partner — $1,525 CAD
- Each dependent child — $260 CAD
Additional costs to budget for:
- Language test (IELTS or CELPIP) — approximately $300
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) — approximately $200–$300
- Biometrics — $85
- Police certificates and medical exams
- Document translation (if applicable)
Check the IRCC website for current official fee amounts before applying.
How Long Does It Take?
Express Entry is one of the fastest permanent residence pathways available. IRCC aims to process complete applications within 6 months of receiving them — though actual times can vary.
The timeline generally looks like this:
- Creating your profile — 1 to 2 weeks
- Waiting in the pool for an ITA — varies by CRS score
- Submitting your PR application after ITA — up to 60 days
- IRCC processing your application — approximately 6 to 12 months
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Get Started?
Express Entry moves fast — and so should you. The earlier you prepare your profile, the better positioned you will be when the right draw happens.
📞 Call us: 647-409-2220 🌐 Visit: ghasedak.ca 📩 Start with a free eligibility assessment – book your consultation today.