Express Entry Canada Immigration System

Express Entry is IRCC's online system for selecting skilled workers for permanent residence (PR). You create a profile, the system gives you a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and in regular draws the highest-ranked candidates receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for PR.

Three programs in Express Entry

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC) — for people already working in Canada: 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada in the last 3 years. Learn more on our Canadian Experience Class page.
• Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) — for skilled workers with experience abroad: 1 year of continuous work in the last 10 years, language at CLB 7 or higher, an educational credential assessment, at least 67 points on the selection grid and proof of funds.
• Federal Skilled Trades (FST) — for skilled trades: 2 years of experience in the last 5 years, a job offer or a certificate of qualification from a province, and language at CLB 5 for speaking and listening and CLB 4 for reading and writing.

How the process works

1. You take a language test and get your education assessed (ECA).
2. You create an Express Entry profile — it is valid for 12 months.
3. The system gives you a CRS score (maximum 1,200).
4. IRCC holds draws: general, program-specific or category-based. If your score meets the cut-off, you receive an invitation.
5. After the invitation, you have 60 days to submit a complete PR application with documents and pay the fees.
6. IRCC processes most of these applications in about 6 months.

What your CRS score depends on

• age, education, language and work experience — up to 500 points;
• combinations of factors, such as strong language skills together with a degree or foreign experience — up to 100 points;
• additional points — up to 600: a provincial nomination (600 at once), French, Canadian education, a brother or sister in Canada.

Since March 25, 2025, a job offer no longer gives CRS points. The most effective ways to raise your score are language, including French, and a provincial nomination. If you work in Ontario, also see the OINP.

Category-based draws

In addition to general draws, IRCC invites candidates by category — for example, French speakers or people with experience in health care, STEM, trades or education. Cut-off scores in these draws are often lower than in general draws, so it is important to choose the right NOC code for your occupation and document your experience properly.

Common mistakes

• the wrong NOC code — your experience isn't counted or you miss the right category;
• the experience in your profile doesn't match your reference letters;
• your test results or ECA expire before you submit your application;
• not updating your profile after changes: a new test, marriage, a new child, more experience;
• not enough settlement funds for FSW or FST, or funds proven incorrectly;
• not gathering all documents within 60 days after the invitation.