What is Express Entry?

Canada Express Entry is an application management system that supervises three different federal immigration programs:

• The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): The Federal Skilled Worker Program is for skilled workers with foreign work experience seeking permanent residence in Canada.  
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): The CEC is for skilled workers with Canadian work experience who want to become permanent residents of Canada. 
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): The Federal Skilled Trades Program allows skilled workers to acquire permanent residency in Canada upon qualifying in a skilled trade.

Candidates are allotted a score based on age, work experience, education, language proficiency skills, etc. IRCC conducts regular Express Entry draws, through which eligible candidates receive an ITA or Invitation to Apply for permanent residence in Canada.

How does Express Entry work for Immigrants in Canada?  

The Express Entry program functions in two simple steps:

Step 1: Eligible applicants submit an EOI (Expression of Interest)

Step 2: IRCC holds Express Entry draws or rounds of invitations through which applicants with a high score are invited.

There are three different draw types under the Express Entry program:

• General invitation rounds: The general rounds of invitations are when candidates with a high CRS score are selected to apply for PR.
• Program-specific invitation rounds: These rounds of invitation are for candidates with a high score who are eligible for a specific Express Entry program.
• Category-based invitation rounds: The category-based invitation rounds are for candidates with a high score who are eligible for any IRCC-designed categories that aim to promote Canada’s economic goals. 

Express Entry to Obtain a Canada Permanent Resident Visa

The Express Entry program is an online system that manages PR applications. Skilled workers looking to settle in Canada as permanent residents can choose the Express Entry pathway. The Express Entry program is a streamlined and fast-tracked route to obtaining a Canadian permanent resident visa. Candidates with a high-ranking CRS score are given a chance to apply for a Canada PR visa. The entire Express Entry application process, including the Express Entry profile submission and receiving permanent residence, could take up to 6 months.

Eligibility Criteria for Canada Express Entry

To be eligible for Canada Express Entry, you must at least secure 67 points out of 100 while fulfilling the below criteria:

• Age: Applicants between 18-35 years can score more points on the CRS tool calculator
• Education: The minimum educational qualifications must equal the higher secondary education level in Canada.
• Work experience: Applicants with at least 12 months of work experience can score more points.
• Language proficiency skills: Applicants with at least 6 IELTS bands equal to CLB Level 7 can score more points.
• Adaptability: Applicants with close relatives or family members living in Canada who can support their stay in Canada can score 10 points under the adaptability factor.
• Arranged employment: Applicants who have secured a valid employment offer in Canada can score a maximum of 10 points under this factor

CRS Score Calculator

The Canada Express Entry program evaluates Express Entry applications using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS tool allots points to eligible candidates based on six factors. Candidates with a high score have better chances of receiving a PR visa.

The CRS points grid has a maximum score of 1,200 by evaluating you on the below factors:

• Age
• Highest level of education
• Language skills
• Canadian work experience
• Other work experience
• Skill Transferability
• Other factors

1. Core/Human Capital Factors
Age	With spouse	Single
17	0	0
18	90	99
19	95	105
20-29	100	110
30	95	105
31	90	99
32	85	94
33	80	88
34	75	83
35	70	77
36	65	72
37	60	66
38	55	61
39	50	55
40	45	50
41	35	39
42	25	28
43	15	17
44	5	6
>45	0	0
Level of education	With spouse	Single
Secondary school (high school) credential	28	30
1-year post-secondary program credential	84	90
2-year post-secondary program credential	91	98
≥3-year post-secondary program credential or a Bachelor’s degree	112	120
2 post-secondary program credentials (one must be of least 3 years)	119	128
Master’s OR Entry-to-practice professional degree	126	135
Doctorate / PhD	140	150
Language proficiency	With spouse	Single
First Official Language	Per ability	Per ability
CLB 4 or 5	6	6
CLB 6	8	9
CLB 7	16	17
CLB 8	22	23
CLB 9	29	31
CLB 10 or more	32	34
Second Official Language	Per ability	Per ability
CLB 5 or 6	1	1
CLB 7 or 8	3	3
CLB 9 or more	6	6
Additional points for both French and English
CLB 7 or more in French and CLB 4 or lower (or none) in English	25	25
CLB 7 or more in French and CLB 5 or higher in English	50	50
Canadian work experience	With spouse	Single
0 – 1 year	0	0
1 year	35	40
2 years	46	53
3 years	56	64
4 years	63	72
≥ 5 years	70	80
2. Spouse or Common-law partner Factors
Level of education	With spouse	Single
Less than secondary school (high school) credential	0	NA
Secondary school (high school) credential	2	NA
1-year post-secondary program credential	6	NA
2-year post-secondary program credential	7	NA
≥3-year post-secondary program credential or Bachelor’s degree	8	NA
2 or more post-secondary program credentials (one must be of at least 3 years)	9	NA
Master’s OR Entry-to-practice professional degree	10	NA
Doctorate / PhD	10	NA
Language proficiency	With spouse	Single
First Official Language	per ability	NA
CLB 5 or 6	1	NA
CLB 7 or 8	3	NA
CLB ≥ 9	5	NA
Canadian work experience	With spouse	Single
less than 1 year	0	NA
1 year	5	NA
2 years	4	NA
3 years	8	NA
4 years	9	NA
≥ 5 years	10	NA
3. Skills Transferability Factors
Education & Language	With spouse	Single
≥ 1 year post-secondary program degree + CLB 7 or 8	13	13
2 post-secondary degrees/Master’s/PhD + CLB 7 or 8	25	25
≥ 1 year post-secondary program degree + CLB 9 in each ability	25	25
2 post-secondary degrees/Master’s/PhD + CLB 9 in each ability	50	50
Education & Canadian Work Experience	With spouse	Single
≥ 1 year post-secondary program degree + 1 year Canadian work experience	13	13
2 post-secondary degrees/Master’s/Ph.D. + 1-year Canadian work experience	25	25
≥ 1 year post-secondary program degree + 2-year Canadian work experience	25	25
2 post-secondary degrees/Master’s/PhD + 2-year Canadian work experience	50	50
Foreign Work Experience & Language	With spouse	Single
1-2 years + CLB 7 or 8	13	13
≥ 3 years + CLB 7 or 8	25	25
1-2 years + CLB 9 or more	25	25
≥ 3 years + CLB 9 or more	50	50
Foreign Work Experience & Canadian Work Experience	With spouse	Single
1-2 years of foreign work experience + 1-year Canadian work experience	13	13
≥ 3 years of foreign work experience + 1-year Canadian work experience	25	25
1-2 years of foreign work experience + 2-year Canadian work experience	25	25
≥ 3 years of foreign work experience + 2-year Canadian work experience	50	50
Certificate of Qualification and Language	With spouse	Single
Certificate of Qualification + CLB 5, ≥ 1 CLB 7	25	25
Certificate of Qualification + CLB 7 on all language abilities	50	50
4. Provincial Nomination or Offer of Employment
Provincial nomination	With spouse	Single
Provincial nominee certificate	600	600
Offer of Employment from a Canadian company	With spouse	Single
Qualifying offer of employment – NOC TEER 0 Major group 00	50	50
Qualifying offer of employment – NOC TEER 1, 2 or 3, or any TEER 0 other than Major group 00	50	50
5. Additional Points
Post-secondary education in Canada	With spouse	Single
Credentials of 1 or 2 years	15	15
Credential of 3 years or longer, Master or PhD	30	30
Sibling in Canada	With spouse	Single
Sibling in Canada who is over 18+, Canadian PR or citizen, residing in Canada	15	15

CRS score requirements for Express Entry

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) required to qualify for Canada Express Entry differs based on the draws. The general CRS score range for the Express Entry draw was between 400-500 points. Candidates with a high ranking score stand a better chance of securing a high score. A high CRS score increases your chances of receiving an ITA for Canada permanent residency through the Express Entry program.

Tips to improve your Express Entry CRS score

Some of the ways to boost your Express Entry CRS scores are as follows:

• Increase your Language test scores
• Secure more professional experience
• Pursue more education
• Get a job offer in Canada
• Obtain a provincial nomination that can get you additional points
• Get your spouse to apply as the primary applicant

Is a Canada job offer required to apply for Express Entry?

A Canadian job offer is not mandatory to apply for Express Entry; However, it can improve your CRS score. A valid employment offer eligible for Express Entry can get you 50-200 additional CRS points.

Note: Starting Spring 2025, IRCC will stop issuing points for candidates with an LMIA-backed job offer.

Valid job offer under Express Entry

For your job offer to be considered valid under the Express Entry program, you must meet the criteria below:

• The job offer must be full-time
• The job contract must be at least 12 months
• It must be a skilled job under NOC TEER category 0,1,2,3 
• The Job must be recent, within the last 12 months, and not older than that.

An employment offer must contain your pay, roles and responsibilities, total number of working hours, etc.  While most jobs need to be backed by a positive LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment), others are LMIA-exempt. When an LMIA is mandatory, your Canadian employer can apply on your behalf by sending the application to the ESDC (Employment and Social Development Canada). Express Entry applicants with a valid job offer can receive up to 50-200 CRS points.

LMIA-exempt Job offers for Express Entry

Some of the job offers can be LMAI-exempt if:

• You have worked full-time for the employer mentioned in your work permit for at least 2 months.
• Your employment offer fulfills other criteria, such as the job offer being listed in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 and not offered by an embassy or consulate.
• Your work permit is LMIA-exempt.

Include your family members under Express Entry

You can also include your family members under the Express Entry program. Family members such as your spouse, common-law partner, or dependent children can accompany you to Canada. Successful Express Entry applicants will obtain permanent residence along with their family members.

• Dependent children must meet the criteria below to qualify:
• Must be below 22 years of age and unmarried
• Be 22 years old with financial dependency on the parents

Requirements for creating an Express Entry profile

The documents required to submit your Express Entry profile are as follows:

• An original and valid passport
• Test results as proof of your language proficiency
• Proof of your Canadian education or an ECA report for studies outside of Canada
• Evidence of sufficient funds to support your stay in Canada
• A provincial nomination (if eligible)
• Job offer from a Canadian employer (optional)

Language tests requirements for Express Entry

Express Entry applicants must also submit proof of language proficiency. The English and French language tests that are considered by the Express Entry program are as follows:

English Language	French language
CELPIP General	TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
IELTS General Training	TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français
PTE Core

How do I obtain an ECA for Express Entry?

An ECA, or the Educational Credential Assessment, verifies your foreign educational credentials, such as a degree or diploma. Express Entry applicants are required to have proof of academic qualifications.

Below are some of the IRCC-designated organizations through which you can obtain an ECA:

• World Education Services
• Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
• International Qualifications Assessment Service
• International Credential Evaluation Service
• Medical Council of Canada (professional body for Doctors)
• Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (the professional body for Pharmacists)

Express Entry Profile Submission

Once you have gathered the Express Entry requirements and arranged the documents, you can create and submit your Express Entry profile.

Here is a step-by-step process to follow for Express Entry profile submission:

Step 1: Check if you are eligible for the Express Entry program

To be eligible, you must fulfill the required criteria for any one of the federal immigration programs listed under Express Entry, like the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Step 2: Get your ECA and complete the language proficiency tests

You must get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if you have pursued your studies outside Canada and six IELTS bands equal to CLB 7.

Note: Your language test scores must be no older than 2 years at the time of your Express Entry application.

Step 3: Create and submit your Express Entry profile

You can create your Express Entry profile by submitting details, including age, language proficiency, educational credentials, adaptability, and work experience. CRS points will be allotted based on the above factors, and candidates with the minimum score can go ahead with the Express Entry profile submission.

Step 4: Receive an ITA

Upon selecting your profile in the Express Entry pool, you will receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply), which allows you to start your PR application process.

Step 5: Submit your Canada PR application

You can now complete your PR application and submit it to the IRCC. You will be required to pay the application fees, along with a certificate and criminal clearance certificate, after which you will receive an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) from the IRCC.

Step 6: Submit your biometrics

The next step would be submitting your biometrics per the IRCC’s notice.

Step 7: Wait for a decision on your PR application

It generally takes around 6 months for the IRCC to decide on the PR application. A Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa will be issued to candidates whose applications were selected.

 

Express Entry Fees

The application fee for Express Entry is $CAN950, with an additional $CAN575 taken as the permanent resident fee. Applying for Express Entry costs around $CAN1,525, including application and PR fees.

Fees	$CAN
Your application: Processing fee ($950) and right of permanent residence fee ($575)	1,525.00
Your application (without right of permanent residence fee)	950
Include your spouse or partner: Processing fee ($950) and right of permanent residence fee ($575)	1,525.00
Include your spouse or partner (without right of permanent residence fee)	950
Include a dependent child	260.00 (per child)

 

The table below details the fee structure for other costs, including language tests, ECA, biometrics, police clearance certificates, and medical examination fees.

Other Costs	$CAN
Language tests	300
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)	260
Biometrics	85 per person
Government fees	1,525 for adults &  260 for each child
Medical examination fees	250 for adult & 100 for each child
Police clearance certificates	100

 

Proof of funds required for Express Entry

The table below has the proof of funds required to apply for Express Entry:

Number of family members	Proof of funds
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

 

How long does the Express Entry process take?

Once created, an Express Entry profile will remain valid for up to 12 months. Candidates selected through the Express Entry draw and receiving an ITA (Invitation to Apply) can expect up to 6 months to process their permanent residence application. The processing time may differ based on the completeness of the application.

Latest Express Entry Draws

IRCC conducts regular Express Entry Draws, most often on Wednesdays. These draws or rounds of invitations issue ITAs to eligible candidates, who can then apply for Canada PR.

Draw no.	Date	Immigration program	Invitations issued
339	March 06, 2025	French language proficiency	4,500
338	March 03, 2025	Provincial Nominee Program	725
337	February 19, 2025	French language proficiency	6,500
336	February 17, 2025	Provincial Nominee Program	646
335	February 05, 2025	Canadian Experience Class	4,000
334	February 04, 2025	Provincial Nominee Program	455
333	January 23, 2025	Canadian Experience Class	4,000
332	January 08, 2025	Canadian Experience Class	1,350
331	January 07, 2025	Provincial Nominee Program	471

 

 

How can Y-Axis help you?

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• Arranging the immigration document checklist
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