General rounds
IRCC may invite top-ranking candidates who qualify under any of the three Express Entry programs.
Economic Immigration
Express Entry
Express Entry is the online system Canada uses to manage permanent residence applications from skilled workers. Candidates who qualify for an included program can enter the pool, receive a ranking score and may be invited to apply for permanent residence.
01 What Is Express Entry?
Express Entry is not an immigration program by itself. It is a two-stage system: first, eligible candidates create a profile and enter a pool; then Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invites selected candidates to submit a permanent residence application.
Entering the pool does not guarantee an invitation. A candidate must remain eligible, keep the profile accurate and receive an invitation before applying for permanent residence through Express Entry.
02 Programs Managed Through Express Entry
Eligibility begins with meeting the requirements of at least one of the three federal programs. The applicable test depends on the candidate’s work experience, language results, education and, for certain trades applicants, a qualifying job offer or certificate of qualification.
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 an Express Entry program.
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 Documents and Settlement Funds
The documents required depend on the program and the candidate’s circumstances. A profile commonly draws on a passport or travel document, language test results, proof of work experience, education records or an educational credential assessment, and any provincial nomination, job offer or trade certificate being claimed.
After an invitation, IRCC provides a personalized checklist. Applicants may also need police certificates, medical examination information, civil-status documents, proof of funds and biometrics. The evidence must support the information used to obtain eligibility and CRS points.
Who must show settlement funds?
- Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program applicants generally must show the required settlement funds.
- Canadian Experience Class applicants do not have to meet the settlement-funds requirement.
- An FSWP or FSTP applicant may be exempt if authorized to work in Canada and holding a valid job offer.
IRCC updates the required amounts periodically. Where funds are required, the amount depends on family size and the money must be legally available both when the application is made and when a permanent resident visa is issued.
06 Frequently Asked Questions
Is Express Entry the same as permanent residence?
No. Express Entry manages eligible profiles and applications. A candidate becomes a permanent resident only after receiving an invitation, submitting a complete application, being approved and completing the applicable confirmation process.
Do I need a job offer?
Not for the Canadian Experience Class or as a minimum requirement for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Under the Federal Skilled Trades Program, an applicant needs either a qualifying job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification in the trade. A job offer may still matter for specific program rules or category requirements.
How long does an Express Entry profile remain active?
A profile expires automatically after 12 months if the candidate is not invited. A new profile may be submitted after expiry if the person remains eligible.
How long do I have after receiving an invitation?
An invitation to apply is valid for 60 days. The complete permanent residence application and supporting documents must be submitted within that period.
Can a profile be updated after entering the pool?
Yes. The profile should be kept accurate when circumstances change, including language results, work experience, education or family composition. Changes can affect eligibility or the CRS score.
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