How Express Entry works
Express Entry is an online system that is used 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 any of the above programs, you should also apply through Express Entry for the Provincial Nominee Program. If you're nominated, you'll get extra points so it is possible to be invited to apply quickly.
How To Apply For Express Entry
Step 1: Find out if you're eligible
Eligibility for Express Entry programs
Express Entry Eligibility favors skilled workers based on their skills and ability to contribute to Canada’s economy
There are 2 ways to know if you're eligible for a program that is part of Express Entry:
- answer a few pre-determined questions to see if you meet the minimum requirements
If you’re married or have a common-law partner, one of you must be the main or principal applicant. This person will submit a profile and list the spouse or partner in it.
Step 2: Check your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score
If you're eligible for more than one of the 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'll have to score above the minimum points score required for your round of invitations.
- Use the CRS tool to estimate your score.
Step 3: Get your documents ready
To fill out your Express Entry 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 ought to get them ready early.
Step 4: Create your Express Entry profile
An Express Entry profile is an electronic form submitted by eligible candidates that includes personal details such as age, work experience, education, ability in French and English, family details, and ties to Canada.
Using these details, Canada ranks profiles in the Express Entry pool against one another and determines who receives an invitation.
If you're eligible, we'll accept you into our pool of candidates and have 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.
