What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is Canada's primary system for managing permanent residence applications from skilled workers. It's not an immigration program itself — it's an online system that ranks candidates and issues invitations to apply for PR.
Express Entry manages three federal programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) for people with Canadian work experience, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) for skilled professionals abroad, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST) for qualified tradespeople.
Step 1: Check if you're eligible
Before creating a profile, you need to qualify for at least one of the three programs. Each has different requirements around work experience, education, and language ability.
- CEC: 1+ year of skilled Canadian work experience in the last 3 years, CLB 7 for NOC TEER 0/1 or CLB 5 for TEER 2/3
- FSW: 1+ year of continuous skilled work experience (foreign or Canadian), CLB 7 in all four language skills, 67+ points on the FSW selection grid
- FST: 2+ years in a skilled trade in the last 5 years, qualifying job offer or Canadian trade certificate, CLB 5 speaking/listening and CLB 4 reading/writing
Not sure where you fit? Our eligibility overview breaks down the requirements for each program.
Step 2: Get your documents ready
You'll need these documents before creating your profile:
- Language test results — Take the IELTS General or CELPIP General for English. For French, take TEF Canada or TCF Canada. Results are valid for 2 years.
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) — If your education is from outside Canada, you need an ECA report to prove it's equivalent to a Canadian credential. WES is the most popular provider. See our WES ECA guide for details.
- Passport — A valid passport for all applicants.
- Work experience letters — Reference letters from current and past employers confirming your job title, duties, and dates of employment.
- Proof of funds — FSW and FST applicants usually need to show settlement funds. As of July 2025, a single applicant needs CAD $15,263. CEC applicants do not need proof of funds, and some candidates with valid Canadian job offers may also be exempt.
Step 3: Create your Express Entry profile
Go to the IRCC website and create your Express Entry profile. You'll enter your personal details, education, language scores, and work experience. Once submitted, you enter the Express Entry pool and receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
Your CRS score determines your ranking against other candidates. Use our CRS calculator to estimate your score before you apply.
Step 4: Improve your CRS score (optional)
If your score isn't competitive, you can take steps to improve it. The highest-impact actions are:
- Retaking your language test for higher scores
- Applying for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination (+600 points)
- Learning French to earn bilingual bonus points
- Gaining Canadian work experience
See our full list of strategies to boost your CRS score.
Step 5: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
IRCC holds Express Entry draws roughly every two weeks. In each draw, candidates with CRS scores at or above the cut-off receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Draws may be general (all programs) or category-based (e.g., French-language proficiency, healthcare occupations, STEM, trade occupations). Check the latest draw results to see current cut-offs.
Step 6: Submit your PR application
Once you receive an ITA, you have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application. This includes:
- All supporting documents (language tests, ECA, police certificates, reference letters)
- Medical examination from a designated panel physician
- Processing fee payment (currently CAD $1,525 per adult, plus biometrics if required)
- Photos meeting IRCC specifications
Submit everything online through your IRCC account. Incomplete applications may be returned or refused.
Step 7: Wait for a decision
After submission, IRCC processes your application. The current processing standard is approximately 6 months, though times vary. During this period, IRCC may request additional documents, a second medical exam, or an interview.
Check current wait times on our processing times dashboard.
Step 8: Get your Confirmation of Permanent Residence
When your application is approved, you'll receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a PR visa (if applicable). You then need to "land" in Canada — physically enter the country and present your documents to a border officer. After landing, your PR card will be mailed to your Canadian address.
Congratulations — you're now a Canadian permanent resident. You can live, work, and study anywhere in Canada, and start your path to citizenship.