How Express Entry works
Express Entry is an online system that we use to manage immigration applications from skilled workers.
There are 3 immigration programs managed through Express Entry:
Canadian Experience Class
- for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience
- work experience must have been gained in the 3 years before you apply
Federal Skilled Worker Program
- for skilled workers with foreign work experience
- must meet criteria for education and other factors
Federal Skilled Trades Program
- for skilled workers who are qualified in a skilled trade
- must have a valid job offer or a certificate of qualification
If you're eligible for one of the aforementioned programs, it's also possible to apply through Express Entry for the Provincial Nominee Program. If you're nominated, you'll get extra points to help you be invited to apply quickly.
Step 1: Find out if you're eligible
There are 2 ways to determine whether you're eligible for a program that is part of Express Entry:
- answer a few pre-determined questions to ascertain if you meet the minimum requirements
- read the detailed requirements for each program
How can I become eligible for Express Entry?
You have various options to become eligible for Express Entry. One thing you could do is identify what is used for currently ineligible. For example, you probably are not eligible under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) because you don't meet one or numerous FSWP's minimum work, language ability, or education requirements. Addressing the real reason for your ineligibility is the first method for you to submit an Express Entry profile.
The second major step you can take is to pursue an education pathway toward Canadian permanent residence. To be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program you need more than one year of eligible Canadian work experience in the last 3 years and also meet the minimum language proficiency requirements. You can become eligible for the CEC, and hence Express Entry, by studying in Canada, and then working in Canada after you complete your studies. An added benefit of this approach is you can be rewarded with more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points because of your Canadian education and work experience.
There are many other options if you can't become eligible for Express Entry since Canada operates over 100 different skilled worker immigration streams.
Step 2: Check your score
If you're eligible for one or numerous Express Entry programs and submit your profile, you'll be ranked in the Express Entry pool using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
The CRS is a points-based system we use to
- assess and score your profile and
- rank it in the Express Entry pool
To be invited, you should have a score above the minimum points score for your round of invitations.
Step 3: Get your Express Entry documents ready
If you fill out a profile, you'll need documents, such as language test results, to show you're eligible for Express Entry.
Some documents take quite a while to get, so you need to get them ready early.
Step 4: Fill out your Express Entry profile
Your Express Entry profile is to give us information about yourself.
If you're eligible, we'll accept you into our pool of candidates and provide you a CRS score.
Step 5: Get an invitation and apply
We send invitations to apply to the candidates with the highest scores in the pool. If we invite you to apply, you'll have 60 days to submit your application.
We'll process most complete applications that have all supporting documents in 6 months or less.
How to Apply for Canada Permanent Residence
Note that you can only apply for permanent residence through Express Entry if you’ve received an invitation to apply. Click here to apply for Express Entry first.
Once you have your invitation to apply
It is important to note that your Express Entry invitation to apply is valid for 60 days only. You should start filling out the online form immediately so that you can get all the information and documents you need before your invitation expires.
Follow these steps to fill out the online form:
- Sign in to your account.
- Click the link to apply for permanent residence under Express Entry.
When filling out the form:
- Make sure you submit all of the required documents.
- All of your answers must be complete and true.
- Make sure all the mandatory fields are completed, or you won’t be able to submit your application.
- You can save your information on the form and go back as often as you need to.