How Express Entry works

What Express Entry is

Express Entry is not an immigration programme in itself. It is the online system Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses to manage applications for three federal programmes: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

You create a profile, the system checks whether you are eligible for at least one of those programmes, and if you are, your profile enters a pool alongside every other eligible candidate.

The pool and the ranking

Everyone in the pool receives a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. The score is a way of ordering candidates, not a pass mark. IRCC then holds draws and invites candidates to apply for permanent residence.

Some draws are general. Others are category-based, targeting candidates with particular work experience or French-language ability. Because the mix of candidates in the pool changes constantly, the cut-off score for any given draw is only known after that draw takes place.

Preparing before you create a profile

Two things take the longest and should be started first: an official language test in English or French, and — if you studied outside Canada — an Educational Credential Assessment from a designated organisation. Both have processing times of their own, and you cannot complete a profile without them.

You will also need to document your work experience carefully. Reference letters that state your job title, duties, hours and dates are the evidence IRCC uses to confirm your experience matches the occupation you claimed.

After an invitation

If you are invited to apply, you submit a full application within the deadline stated in your invitation. That application includes police certificates, a medical examination, proof of funds where required, and supporting evidence for every claim in your profile. If your circumstances changed after you created the profile, the application must reflect the change.

What to verify yourself

Programme criteria, draw categories and required documents change. Before you act on anything here, confirm the current rules on the official Express Entry pages linked below.