What Is Express Entry? A Fast-Track Pathway to Permanent Residency in Canada
Express Entry is Canada’s fastest and most popular immigration system. Through this streamlined system, eligible candidates can achieve permanent residency (PR) in as little as six months.
Designed specifically for skilled workers and professionals, Express Entry Canada simplifies and accelerates the immigration process, making it one of the most effective routes for individuals seeking to build a life in Canada.
Express Entry Overview:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| System Name | Express Entry Canada |
| Target Group | Skilled workers and professionals |
| Type of Visa | Permanent Residence (PR) |
| Main Requirement | High CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score |
| Average Processing Time | Average of 6–12 months |
| Language Requirement | CLB 7 for FSWP; CLB 5–7 for other programs |
| Education Requirement | Minimum of a secondary school diploma |
| Work Experience Requirement | 1+ year in TEER 0–3 occupation (may vary by stream) |
| Streams Available | • Federal Skilled Worker (FSWP) • Federal Skilled Trades (FSTP) • Canadian Experience Class (CEC) • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP via Express Entry) |
| Family Inclusion | Yes – spouse/partner and dependent children under 22 |
🔔Express Entry latest news: March 2025
- Job Offer Points Removed: As of March 25, 2025, IRCC has removed points for job offers from the CRS system.
- New Occupational Category Added: “Education Occupations” has been introduced as a new targeted category.
- Increased Immigration Target: Canada aims to welcome 117,500 new permanent residents via Express Entry in 2025.
(Source: canada.ca)
Why Choose Express Entry? Key Benefits
- Fast processing – PR can be obtained in as little as 6 to 9 months
- Fully digital application process – no physical paperwork required
- Lower overall costs compared to other immigration pathways
- Real-time updates through your online account
- Flexible – update your profile anytime before receiving an ITA
- Transparent system with detailed status tracking
- Option to include spouse/partner and dependent children
- Direct access to IRCC officers for support during the application process
Express Entry Immigration Programs
Express Entry is a points-based selection system managed by IRCC to process permanent residency applications for three federal programs:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP via Express Entry)
Who is Eligible?
Key Evaluation Criteria:
Language Skills
Language proficiency is a key eligibility criterion under all three Express Entry programs. Depending on the program and the job classification, different levels of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) are required:
- For the Canadian Experience Class (CEC):
- TEER 0 or 1: CLB 7
- TEER 2 or 3: CLB 5
- For the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP):
- CLB 7 for all job types
- For the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP):
- Speaking & Listening: CLB 5
- Reading & Writing: CLB 4
Work experience
Work experience must align with the TEER categories under Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) 2021:
- CEC: 1+ year of Canadian experience in TEER 0–3 jobs
- FSWP: 1 year of continuous experience (Canada or abroad) in TEER 0–3 jobs
- FSTP: 2 years in a skilled trade from specific NOC groups (e.g., 72, 73, 82, 83, 92, 93, 6320, 62200)
Work Experience Duration
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC):
- At least 1 year in Canada (full-time or equivalent part-time, in the past 3 years)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP):
- 1 year of continuous work experience in the same occupation (past 10 years)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP):
- 2 years full-time or equivalent experience in a skilled trade (past 5 years)
Job Offer Requirement
Whether or not you need a valid job offer depends on which stream of the Express Entry Canada system you are applying under:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC):
- It is not required, but it may improve your CRS score
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP):
- It is not mandatory, but a full-time, valid offer increases points
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP):
- Yes – unless you have a provincial or federal qualification certificate
Education Requirement
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC):
- No minimum, but education boosts the CRS score
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP):
- At least secondary school required; more education = more points
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP):
- No formal requirement, but post-secondary credentials improve CRS
Required Documents
Here’s what you typically need for applying:
- Valid passport or travel document
- Language test result
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Job offer (if applicable)
- Proof of work experience
- Proof of funds
- Police clearance certificate
- Medical test result
Costs Breakdown
Estimated total for a single applicant: ~ CAD 2,300
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| IELTS | $300 |
| CELPIP | $280 |
| TEF | $440 |
| TCF | $460 |
| ECA | $200 |
| IRCC processing fee | $850 |
| Right of permanent residence | $515 |
| Dependent child (each) | $230 |
| Biometric (individual) | $85 |
| Biometric (family) | $170 |
| Medical exam (adult) | $450 |
| Medical exam (child) | $250 |
Proof of funds
Applicants must show they have sufficient settlement funds unless exempt (e.g., CEC applicants).
| Number of Family Members | Minimum Funds Required (Updated July 7, 2025) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $15,263 |
| 2 | $19,001 |
| 3 | $23,360 |
| 4 | $28,362 |
| 5 | $32,168 |
| 6 | $36,280 |
| 7 | $40,392 |
| Each additional family member | $4,112 |
Processing Time
Once you submit your Express Entry profile, it remains active in the candidate pool for up to 12 months. During this time, your profile will be considered in regular invitation rounds. If you do not receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) within those 12 months, you will need to resubmit your profile to re-enter the pool.
Here’s a breakdown of the timeline:
- Profile submission: Valid for up to 12 months
- Invitation to Apply (ITA): If selected, you have 60 days to submit your complete application
- Final decision by IRCC: Typically within 6 months after submission
Express Entry Points Calculator
Two layers of evaluation:
- FSWP Eligibility Grid: Minimum 67 out of 100 points required
- Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS): Competitive points ranking system for all Express Entry profiles
FSWP Eligibility Factors (Max 100 Points):
- Language proficiency: 24
- Second language: 4
- Education: 25
- Work experience: 15
- Arranged employment: 10
- Age: 12
- Adaptability: 10
Points cut-off: 67 out of 100
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
- Core Human Capital:
- Age: maximum 100
- Education: maximum 140
- Language proficiency: maximum 150
- Work experience (in Canada): maximum 70
- Spouse or common-law partner factors:
- Education: maximum 10
- Language proficiency: maximum 20
- Work experience (in Canada): maximum 10
- Skills transferability:
- Language proficiency and post-secondary degree: 50
- Canadian work experience and post-secondary degree: 50
- Language proficiency and certificate of qualification: 50
- Additional factors:
- Sibling living in Canada: 15
- French language skill: 50
- Post-secondary education in Canada: 30
- Provincial or territorial nomination: 600
How to Apply for Canada’s Express Entry
To help you better understand the process, here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how the system works:
- Create an Express Entry Profile
Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) online with details about your age, education, experience, and language test results. - Enter the Express Entry Pool
Once submitted, your profile is placed in the candidate pool for up to 12 months. You’ll be ranked using the CRS. - Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
If selected, you’ll receive an ITA to apply for permanent residency. - Submit Your Application
After receiving the ITA, submit your complete PR application within 60 days, including all required documents. - Final Review and Decision by IRCC
Your application is reviewed, and if approved, you’ll receive confirmation of permanent residence (COPR).
Express Entry is considered one of the fastest and most efficient pathways for skilled workers who want to immigrate to Canada and obtain Canadian permanent residence.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Processing times for Express Entry applications typically range from 6 months to 1 year, depending on individual circumstances and application volumes.
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is one of three immigration streams managed under the Express Entry system. The three programs include: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
You can boost your ranking through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) by improving factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and obtaining a valid job offer or provincial nomination.
There is no fixed minimum CRS score. Cut-off scores vary with each draw and depend on the government’s priorities at that time. No lawyer or consultant can guarantee an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Yes. Your work experience should generally align with your educational background to strengthen your application.
Yes. Demonstrating language proficiency is mandatory. You must take an approved language test (e.g., IELTS) and submit valid results with your application
You can create your profile through the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Be ready to provide details such as your work history, education, language test scores, and other personal information.
Yes. You may update your Express Entry profile at any time before receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Yes. If both spouses meet the eligibility criteria, they may each submit a profile, listing the other as an accompanying spouse. Once one receives an ITA, the other profile can be withdrawn.
No, a job offer is not required, but having one can significantly increase your CRS score.
Yes. Express Entry is open to individuals both inside and outside Canada. Canadian work experience can positively influence your CRS score.
