Canada Express Entry Guide

Express Entry is Canada’s main system for skilled immigration. It is online, points-based. It is fast compared to many other programs. With Express Entry, Canada selects workers for permanent residence. The government looks at your age, education, work, language, and other factors. The best profiles in the pool get an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

In 2025, Express Entry will still manage three federal programs and several provincial streams:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams linked to Express Entry (called “enhanced” streams)

Express Entry uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS gives points. Higher points mean a better chance of receiving an ITA.

IRCC runs 3 types of draws:

• General
• Program-specific
• Category-based

What is Express Entry in Simple Words

Express Entry is a filter. You create a profile. You get a CRS score. Canada runs draws and invites the highest-ranked people. If you get an ITA, you submit documents for permanent residence. If you do not receive an ITA, you can stay in the pool for up to 12 months. You can update your profile any time before you get an ITA.

How Does Express Entry Work?

1. Check eligibility. You must first qualify for FSWP, CEC, or FSTP. If you cannot qualify for one of these, you cannot enter Express Entry.
2. Take a language test. IELTS General, CELPIP General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada are accepted. Your test must be valid (less than 2 years old).
3. Get your ECA (if needed). If your education is outside Canada and you want points for it, you need an Educational Credential Assessment.
4. Create your profile. Enter your details online. You get a CRS score.
5. Enter the pool. Your profile remains up to 12 months.
6. Wait for a draw. Canada holds draws weekly or bi-weekly on average, but there is no fixed schedule. There are general draws, program-specific draws, and category-based draws.
7. Receive an ITA (if selected). After an ITA, you have 60 days to submit a full application for permanent residence.
8. IRCC processing. IRCC aims to process most complete Express Entry applications within about 6 months. Times can change.
9. Decision and landing. If approved, you get a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and then your PR card.

What are Targeted Express Entry Draws?

Targeted or “category-based” draws choose candidates with specific skills. These skills serve Canada’s labour needs. Categories include:

• French language
• Healthcare
• STEM
• Transport
• Trades
• Agriculture and agri-food
• Education occupations

If you fit a category, your CRS cut-off may be lower than general draws. Category rules and sizes can change over time.

Do I Need a Job Offer?

No, you do not need a job offer for Express Entry. As of 25 March 2025, job-offer points were removed from the CRS. A job offer can still help for some program eligibility or provincial nominations. But for most people in Express Entry, a job offer is optional.

Can I Bring My Family Through the Express Entry System?

Yes. You can include your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children (usually under 22 and not married). They can accompany you. You must list all family members, even if they will not come now. Some relatives (like parents) cannot be included. You may sponsor them later under family programs.

Express Entry Eligibility Points and CRS Score

Who Is Eligible?

You must be eligible for one of these programs:

• FSWP: 1 year of continuous skilled work in the last 10 years (TEER 0–3), CLB 7 in all skills, education with ECA if foreign, and at least 67/100 on the FSW selection grid.
• CEC: 1 year of skilled work in Canada (TEER 0–3) within the last 3 years, valid work authorization, CLB 7 for TEER 0–1 jobs or CLB 5 for TEER 2–3 jobs. No minimum education, but education helps CRS.
• FSTP: 2 years of full-time skilled trades experience in the last 5 years (TEER 2–3 trades), plus either a qualifying job offer for at least 1 year or a Certificate of Qualification from a Canadian authority; CLB 5 speaking/listening and CLB 4 reading/writing.

❗ If you do not meet the minimums above, you cannot enter Express Entry.

What Is the CRS Score

CRS means Comprehensive Ranking System. The CRS gives points for age, education, language, Canadian work, foreign work (combined with language/education), study in Canada, French, siblings in Canada, and provincial nominations. In 2025, the CRS does not give points for job offers.

CRS has 4 parts:

1. Core human capital (age, education, first and second language, Canadian work)
2. Spouse factors (if applicable)
3. Skill transferability (combinations of language + education/work)
4. Additional points (PNP +600, French, sibling in Canada, Canadian study)

How to Calculate Your CRS Score

You can calculate your score by following these steps:

1. Age: Find your age bracket. For most candidates, the highest points are at ages 20–29.
2. Education: Use your ECA result (or Canadian credential) and select the correct level. Two or more credentials can score more.
3. Language: Convert your test results to CLB/NCLC. Score each skill separately. Higher CLB gives more points.
4. Canadian work experience: Count full-time equivalent months. One year or more gives points. Two or more years unlock extra transferability points.
5. Foreign work experience: Combine with language and/or Canadian work for extra transferability points.
6. Spouse (if any): Add spouse’s education, language, and Canadian work.
7. Additional points: Add +600 for PNP, up to +50 for French, up to +30 for Canadian study, and +15 for a sibling.

Note: The CRS is not a pass-or-fail test. It is a ranking. Your goal is to reach a score that is above the cut-off for the draws that fit your profile.

What Options Do I Have?

If your CRS is low, you still have options:

• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Many provinces invite candidates from the Express Entry pool. A nomination adds 600 CRS points.
• Improve language scores. Higher CLB makes a big difference. Even small increases can unlock transferability points.
• Add education. Complete another credential or get a proper ECA outcome. A “two or more” result is powerful.
• Gain more work experience. More Canadian work is strong. Foreign work helps when combined with language.
• French. NCLC 7+ in French can add up to 50 points, even if English is your main language.
• Spouse strategy. Choose the stronger partner as the principal applicant. Upload the spouse’s language test and ECA.
• Category-based selection. If you are in a priority field (healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, agriculture, education), watch for targeted draws.

Express Entry Point Calculator

A calculator is only as good as your inputs. To use any CRS calculator well, prepare these items:

• Exact dates of study and work
• The correct NOC 2021 code for each job (TEER 0–5)
• Language test scores for each skill (not just the overall band)
• ECA results with the assessed level (e.g., “Bachelor’s degree (four years)”)
• Proof of Canadian study or work (if any)
• PNP nomination details (if any)

Mini example:

• Age 29, single
• Bachelor’s degree (ECA): 120 points (no spouse)
• IELTS General: CLB 9 in all skills (31 points per skill = 124)
• Canadian work: 1 year (40)
• Foreign work: 3 years (combined transferability with CLB 9 = 50)
• French: none
• PNP: none
• Approximate CRS: 120 + 124 + 40 + 50 = 334 (core + transferability) → then add age points (110) = 444 total

This is a rough example. Your exact result depends on every entry.

CRS Score Cut-off

The cut-off is the lowest CRS that received an ITA in a draw.

Cut-offs change every draw. They depend on how many people are in the pool, what kind of draw it is (general, program, category), and how many ITAs IRCC issues.

A category draw can have a lower cut-off in your field. A PNP draw is usually high because nominees already have +600 points.

Is My CRS Score Enough?

Your CRS is “enough” only if it is above a recent cut-off for the draws that fit you. For general draws, the cut-off may be higher than for some category draws. For PNP draws, the cut-off is usually much higher due to the +600.

How to read the cut-offs:

• Look at at least the last 6–12 draws.
• Match the draw type to your case (general vs. program vs. category).
• Check if IRCC changed rules recently (for example, job-offer points removal). Rules can move the cut-offs.

If you are close to the cut-off, even a small increase in language or education can help.

Will The CRS Score Cut-Off Go Down?

No one can promise that. Cut-offs rise and fall. They depend on intake targets, how many people enter the pool, and how many ITAs IRCC issues. Category draws can be more predictable for some groups. But there is no guaranteed trend.

What CRS Score Is Required For Canadian PR?

There is no fixed minimum CRS for PR. You only need to be above the cut-off for a specific draw when it happens. Some people get PR with a CRS in the 400s after a category draw. Others get PR with a CRS in the 700s after a PNP draw. Your best strategy is to build the strongest profile you can.

How To Improve The CRS Score

• Retake language tests. Aim for CLB 9 or higher. Consider test re-training and mock exams.
• Add French. Even basic French can add points. Strong French can add many points.
• Complete another credential. A one-year post-grad diploma can push you into “two or more” category.
• Gain more Canadian work. One more year in Canada unlocks extra transferability points.
• Get a provincial nomination. Target provinces that match your job and language.
• Spouse plan. Switch principal applicant if your spouse has a stronger profile.
• Fix errors. Make sure your NOC codes, dates, and duties are correct and consistent.

I’m Already Working in Canada; Does This Count?

Yes. Legal, paid work in Canada in TEER 0–3 counts for CEC and for CRS points. The work must be authorized. Co-op or volunteer work does not count. Self-employment may not count for CEC. Count your hours carefully. Keep pay stubs and letters.

Why Is My Express Entry CRS Zero?

Common reasons:

• You entered test results incorrectly, or your language test is expired.
• You did not add your ECA, or the ECA level is missing.
• You selected the wrong NOC or the wrong TEER.
• You said your spouse is accompanying, but you did not add their details.
• You left some fields blank. The system cannot score you.
• You lost job-offer points after March 25, 2025, and your updated CRS is now showing the correct (lower) result.

Fix your entries. Recheck dates. Recheck each skill score. Then save your profile again.

How does My Language Point calculate?

First, convert each test score to CLB/NCLC. Then, assign points per skill for the first official language. Add any points for a second official language.

• FSWP: CLB 7 is the minimum (all four skills)
• CEC: CLB 7 is the minimum for TEER 0–1 jobs and CLB 5 for TEER 2–3 jobs.
• FSTP: The minimum is CLB 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing.

Do I Need IELTS For Express Entry?

You need one approved language test. IELTS General is one option. CELPIP General and PTE Core are also accepted for English.

For French, TEF Canada and TCF Canada are accepted. IELTS Academic is not accepted for Express Entry. IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted for Express Entry.

How Does My IELTS Score Affect My CRS Score?

IELTS helps in 2 ways:

• It gives core language points (first or second language).
• It unlocks skill-transferability points when combined with education and/or work.

A jump from CLB 7 to CLB 9 can add many points. Focus on each skill. Remember: CRS uses per-skill scores, not the overall band.

Is 430/450/460 a Good CRS Score?

It depends on the draw type and the month. A CRS in the 430–460 range is usually not enough for recent general draws. But it can be competitive in some category-based draws, and it can be more than enough if you receive a PNP nomination (+600). Watch the education, trades, or French category draws if you fit them. If you are at 430–460, try to add points through language, French, or education, and consider PNPs.

Submitting an Express Entry Profile

What is an Express Entry Profile

Your Express Entry profile is your online form with your personal, education, language, and work details. It is your Expression of Interest. It is not a PR application.

❗ The profile is valid in the pool for up to 12 months.

How to Apply

1. Take a language test and get valid results.
2. Get your ECA if your education is outside Canada.
3. Gather passport details and work history.
4. Create a GCKey or sign in partner account. Start the Express Entry profile.
5. Enter all data. Submit. You receive a CRS score and a profile number.
6. Update your profile if your situation changes (new job, new test, marriage, baby, etc.).

What Do I Need To Submit?

At the profile stage:

• Passport
• Language test details (ID, date, per-skill scores)
• ECA report number and outcome
• Job details (NOC codes, dates, duties summary)
• Proof of funds estimate
• Family details

At the PR application stage (after ITA):

• Police certificates
• Medical exam results (when requested)
• Work reference letters on letterhead
• Proof of funds letters from banks
• Translations and affidavits (if needed)
• Digital photos, forms, and fees

How Can I Prove My Work Experience?

Use employer reference letters. They should be on letterhead and include:

• Your name and job title(s)
• Exact employment dates and hours (full-time or part-time)
• Main duties that match your NOC
• Salary and benefits (if possible)
• Name, title, and signature of the person who signed the letter

Keep pay stubs, contracts, tax slips, and bank statements as backup.

Can I Apply For Express Entry While I’m In Canada?

Yes. You can apply from inside or outside Canada. If you are in Canada with valid status, your Canadian work may give extra points. If you are on a work Permit or study permit, check the conditions and keep your status valid.

How To Find My NOC Code

Use the NOC 2021 system. Find the job title and duties that match your experience. Pick the NOC that is the best match for your main duties, not just your title. Confirm the TEER level.

Only TEER 0–3 jobs count as “skilled” for Express Entry.

Can I Update My Profile?

Yes. You can update your profile any time before you receive an ITA. You should update it when your situation changes: new test, new degree, new job, marriage, divorce, birth, or nomination.

Updating does not change your original profile timestamp, so you keep your place for tie-break rules.

How Long does IRCC Keep My Profile?

IRCC keeps your profile active in the pool for up to 12 months. If you do not get an ITA in that time, you can create a new profile and re-enter the pool.

What Is an Invitation To Apply (ITA)?

An ITA is an invitation to submit a complete PR application. After you receive an ITA, you have 60 days to upload documents and pay fees. If your documents are not ready, you may decline the ITA and stay in the pool. Do not submit an incomplete or incorrect application.

Application Process

How Long Does the Express Entry Process take

There are 2 phases:

1. Before ITA: Time in the pool depends on your CRS and on draw types. Some people get an ITA in weeks. Others wait months, or they pursue a PNP.
2. After ITA: IRCC aims to process most complete applications in about 6 months. Times vary by program, volume, and security checks.

Typical timeline:

• Profile in pool: up to 12 months
• ITA window: 60 days to submit apthe plication
• IRCC processing: ~ 6 months for most cases
• PR confirmation and PR card: several weeks after approval

Things To Note In Your Express Entry Profile

• Use exact dates (day/month/year).
• Use the correct NOC for each job. Match duties, not titles.
• Enter per-skill language scores, not just the overall band.
• Check that your ECA report is for immigration and lists the correct outcome.
• List all travel and address history. Do not leave gaps.
• Disclose every family member, even if non-accompanying.
• Save your profile. Reopen and review before every draw cycle.

Express Entry vs. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Express Entry Or PNPs: Which One Is Better?

It depends on your case. Express Entry is faster for many people with high CRS or who fit a category draw. PNPs can rescue a low CRS profile. A PNP nomination adds 600 CRS points and almost guarantees an ITA in the next PNP or general draw. PNPs can take extra time and require a plan to live in that province.

Can I Apply For Express Entry And PNP At The Same Time?

Yes. Many PNPs require an Express Entry profile first. You can be in the pool and apply to PNPs at the same time. If you get a nomination, you accept it in your Express Entry account. Your CRS rises by 600 points.

What Happens to My Express Entry Profile If I Get a Provincial Nomination?

Your profile stays in the pool. Your CRS goes up by 600. You will be invited in a PNP round or a general round soon after. If you accept the ITA, you submit your PR application as a provincial nominee.

PNP Programs That Use The Express Entry Profile

Many provinces and territories have Express Entry-linked streams. Examples:

• Ontario Human Capital Priorities, French-Speaking Skilled Worker
• Alberta Express Entry stream
• Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities
• Saskatchewan Express Entry
• New Brunswick Express Entry
• British Columbia Express Entry categories

Each stream has its own criteria and may issue Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to candidates in the pool.

Fees and Costs

Profile Costs

Creating and submitting an Express Entry profile is free. Language tests, ECA, and translations have costs.

Government Costs

For a principal applicant in an economic class (Express Entry-managed):

• Processing fee: CAD $950
• Right of Permanent Residence fee (RPRF): CAD $575

A spouse or partner pays the same fees. A dependent child pays a lower processing fee (no RPRF).

Other possible costs:

• Biometrics: usually $85 per person, $170 per family
• Medical exam: varies by country
• Police certificates: vary by country

Overall

A single applicant should expect roughly CAD $2,000–$3,000 for tests, ECA, biometrics, and medicals, plus the government fees. A family will spend more. Always keep extra funds for translations and courier costs.

Remember: You also need settlement funds for FSWP and FSTP unless you are legally working in Canada or have a valid job offer. The amount depends on family size and is updated every year.

Final Thoughts

Express Entry is an online immigration system that enables skilled workers to apply for permanent residency in Canada. It operates on a points-based framework, evaluating candidates based on key factors such as work experience, education, and language proficiency. The highest-ranking applicants are then invited to apply for permanent residence.

Beyond streamlining the immigration process, Express Entry allows Canada to respond swiftly to labor market demands by attracting talented, qualified individuals from around the world.

Legal Notice

• This guide is for general information only. It is not legal advice. Immigration law changes often.
• Always follow the official instructions on Canada.ca, your online account, and any letter from IRCC.
• If your case is complex, consult a licensed lawyer or a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).

FAQs