General rounds
IRCC may invite top-ranking candidates who qualify under any of the three Express Entry programs.
Economic Immigration
Express Entry
For many skilled workers, Express Entry is a way to pursue permanent residence in Canada. It covers different immigration programs and offers opportunities to eligible candidates both inside and outside Canada.
01 What Is Express Entry?
Express Entry is the online system Canada uses to manage permanent residence applications from skilled workers. Candidates who qualify for one of its programs can enter the pool, receive a ranking score, and may be invited to apply for permanent residence.
Entering the Express Entry pool does not guarantee an invitation. Candidates must remain eligible and keep their profile accurate and up to date while they are in the pool.
02 Programs Managed Through Express Entry
To enter the Express Entry pool, you must qualify under at least one of three federal immigration programs. Each program has its own requirements for work experience, language ability and other qualifications.
Eligible Canadian experience
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
For skilled workers with at least one year of eligible Canadian work experience gained in the three years before applying. The required language level depends on the occupation’s NOC TEER category. Education and a job offer are not minimum requirements.
Foreign or Canadian experience
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
For skilled workers with at least one year of continuous eligible work experience in their primary occupation within the previous ten years. Applicants must meet the language, education and separate FSWP selection-factor requirements.
Skilled trades
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
For workers with at least two years of qualifying skilled-trade experience within the previous five years. Applicants also need either a valid full-time job offer for at least one year or a Canadian certificate of qualification in the trade, and must meet the applicable language requirements.
Provincial nominations
A province or territory may nominate a candidate through an Express Entry stream of the Provincial Nominee Program. The candidate must still qualify for one of the three federal programs. A nomination adds CRS points and can substantially improve the prospect of receiving an invitation.
03 Ranking and Invitations to Apply
IRCC assigns each eligible profile a score under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The score is based on information such as age, education, official-language ability and Canadian and foreign work experience, together with applicable spouse, skill-transferability and additional factors.
IRCC conducts rounds during the year, sets the number of invitations and invites the highest-ranking eligible candidates for that round. Cut-off scores vary, and a previous round does not guarantee the result of a future round.
Program-specific rounds
IRCC may invite candidates who qualify for a particular program, including a Provincial Nominee Program round.
Category-based rounds
IRCC may invite top-ranking candidates who meet a category established for an identified economic goal. Candidates must also qualify for one of the three federal Express Entry programs.
Category lists, occupation requirements, invitation types and CRS cut-offs can change. The instructions published for each round control who may be invited.
04 The Express Entry Application Process
Prepare the required information
Complete an approved language test and obtain the documents needed for the profile, which may include an educational credential assessment for education completed outside Canada.
Create and maintain the profile
Submit an accurate online profile. If eligible, the candidate enters the pool and receives a CRS score. Profiles expire after 12 months if no invitation is issued, and material changes must be reported.
Receive an invitation to apply
IRCC identifies candidates through a round of invitations. An invitation states the program under which the candidate may apply and is valid for 60 days.
Submit the permanent residence application
Complete the online forms, upload the personalized document checklist, pay the required fees and submit the complete application before the invitation expires. IRCC then assesses program eligibility, the accuracy of the profile information and admissibility.
05 Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an Express Entry profile remain active?
A profile remains in the pool for up to 12 months, provided the candidate continues to qualify. If no invitation is received during that time, the profile expires. The candidate may submit a new profile if still eligible.
What is an Invitation to Apply (ITA)?
An Invitation to Apply (ITA) is a notice from IRCC that allows a candidate selected in an Express Entry round to submit an application for permanent residence. Receiving an ITA does not mean permanent residence has been approved.
What happens after I receive an ITA?
IRCC identifies the program under which you were invited. You can then complete the permanent residence forms, provide the required supporting documents and pay the fees. IRCC assesses the application after it is submitted.
How long do I have to apply after receiving an ITA?
You have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application. The deadline begins when the ITA is issued, so it is important to start gathering any outstanding documents promptly.
What happens if I decline an ITA?
If you decline, your profile returns to the Express Entry pool if you remain eligible. You may be considered in a future round, but another invitation is not guaranteed.
What happens if my ITA expires?
If you neither apply nor decline within 60 days, the ITA expires and your profile is removed from the pool. To be considered again, you must create a new profile and still meet the eligibility requirements.
What is an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)?
An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is a report that confirms whether a completed foreign degree, diploma or certificate is equivalent to a Canadian credential. An ECA for immigration purposes is required if you are using foreign education to qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or to claim Express Entry points for that education. Canadian credentials do not need an ECA.
Can I update my profile after entering the pool?
Yes. You must keep your profile accurate and update it when your circumstances change—for example, after a new language test, a change in employment or a change in family status. An update may affect your eligibility or CRS score.
Do I need to show settlement funds?
Canadian Experience Class applicants do not need to meet the settlement-funds requirement. Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades applicants generally do, unless they are authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer. The required amount depends on family size.
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