EXPRESS ENTRY (EE)
Express Entry (EE) to Canada | Your guide to get in Canada
Express Entry (EE) is the fastest and most popular pathway for newcomers seeking a new life in Canada. It organizes and processes applications for people who wish to immigrate to Canada and obtain permanent residence.
Express Entry was introduced in January 2015. Canada’s (EE) was a Program developed to allow Canada to maintain its future labour market needs to take care of long-term economic progress. One of the major focuses of the 2025-2027 plan is transitioning more temporary residents, such as international students and workers already in Canada, into permanent residents. This helps ease demand on social services, as these individuals are already integrated into the workforce and housing system.
Below will show a breakdown of the 2023 – 2025 Express Entry Immigration targets:
Trudeau highlighted that the number of permanent residents arriving in Canada will be reduced from 500,000 to 395,000 in 2025 and 500,000 to 380,000 in 2026, with a target of 365,000 permanent residents in 2027.
What is EE in Canadian immigration?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced Canada’s Express Entry system and used it to select candidates for immigration to Canada through various Federal Economic Immigration programs. Candidates who are willing to apply for immigration through the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class, and Canadian Experience Class are required to do so through the system.
As the main driver of economic migration to Canada, the Express Entry system is seen as a flagship program providing a fast-tracked route to Canadian immigration..
How Does the Express Entry System Work?
Step 1: Check if you meet the minimum requirements
You must meet the minimum requirements of three federal immigration programs of the Express Entry. You are not sure you qualify? Complete our Free Assessment to seek out the best advices for the visa program for you to get in Canada.
Express Entry Programs:
Step 2: Create an online Express Entry profile
Create an online Express Entry profile by filling out details about yourself. It’s important to always be truthful in your Create an online Express Entry profile by filling out details about yourself. It’s essential to always be truthful in your answers, as you’ll need to submit supporting documents during the last stage of the application process. You’ll also need your English or French language test results to answer questions regarding your language proficiency.
Step 3: Receive a CRS score
After you complete your Express Entry profile, you’ll receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) record out of a possible 1,200 points.
Step 4: Get a call for participation to use (ITA)
Keep up to date with the latest Express Entry draws that befall bi-weekly, and check your profile to see if you received an ITA for permanent residency in Canada.
Please note: The score needed to apply for permanent residence changes for each draw. Even if you do not qualify for a specific program, you remain in the pool for one year. You can increase your CRS score in a few ways to boost your chance of success.
Step 5: Collect your supporting documents
You have 60 days from the date you receive your ITA to submit a complete Express Entry application with all the required documents.
Required Documents for Express Entry:
Step 6: Pay your fees and submit an application
Contact us to know more details …
Find out if you are eligible to get to Canada through Express Entry (EE) System →
The Comprehensive Ranking System | What is the CRS score for EE?
Applicants are ranked on a system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which determines who could get selected from the Express Entry Pool first. This system ranks you based on four main factors:
These factors take into account:
The higher the applicants’ scores on the CRS, the higher their chances of becoming Permanent Residents of Canada. The highest you’ll score on this system is 1,200 points.
Below may be a breakdown of how you will be scored:
Core CRS Points
You can earn Core CRS points for the following:
Additional CRS Points
You can earn additional CRS points for the following:
CORE POINTS + ADDITIONAL POINTS = TOTAL SCORE
You can score points under these four main categories:
SECTION A – Core/Human Capital
| Maximum Points With Spouse | Maximum Points Without Spouse |
| 100 | 110 |
| 140 | 150 |
| 150 | 160 |
| 70 | 80 |
SECTION B – Spouse or Common-Law Partner
| Criteria | Maximum Points |
| Education | 10 |
| Language Skills (English/French) | 20 |
| Canadian Work Experience | 10 |
SECTION C – Skills Transferability
| Education | Maximum Points |
| Language Skills (English/French) + Education | 50 |
| Canadian Work Experience + Education | 50 |
| Foreign Work Experience | Maximum Points |
| Language Skills (English/French) + Foreign Work Experience | 50 |
| Foreign Work Experience + Canadian Work Experience | 50 |
| Certificate of Qualification (Trades) | Maximum Points |
| Language Skills (English/French) + Education Certificate | 50 |
SECTION D – Additional Points
| Criteria | Maximum Points |
| Brother and Sister Living in Canada | 15 |
| French Language Skills | 30 |
| Post-Secondary Canadian Education | 30 |
| Arranged Employment | 200 |
| Provincial Nomination | 600 |
How to Improve Your CRS Score?
There are several ways to enhance your CRS scores, like receiving a Provincial Nomination that adds 600 more points or getting a Canadian job offer, which is worth 50 – 600 points. For instance, a job offer from a 00 job under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) will offer you a further 200 points. Any other job-level offer from a Canadian employer will offer you an extra 50 points. But a job offer under a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) will give 600 CRS points.
Another way to extend your score is thru Core Human Capital Factors (600 points). This awards points for education qualifications like certificates, diplomas, and degrees. The higher your educational qualifications, the higher the score you’ll receive.
Applying together with your spouse or common-law partner can also help increase your score if they need the right work experience and academic background. Having more work experience also can have an impression on CRS results.
Language skills are an excellent way to increase CRS scores. The higher the applicants’ score on recognized French and English tests like IELTS, TEF, and CELPIP, the higher the results. In total, language skills can add an extra 150 points.
History of the Express Entry System
Canada’s Express Entry system was launched in January 2015, as we mentioned earlier, to assist people in applying for permanent residence under three categories: Federal trained worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Early Rounds
At the start of 2015, the bulk of admissions came from applications submitted before January 1. These early Express Entry draws included an excessive number of applications from foreign nationals who already worked in Canada. Many of these immigrants got ITAs because they had job offers supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
In the first ten draws, which happened over six months, 11,353 ITAs were issued to candidates. Since the primary draw on January 21, 2015, the system has developed into one of Canada’s foremost efficient immigration programs.
Remember that the number of invited candidates is often less than the number of invitations sent. This happens when some candidates receive quite one invitation or when invitations are declined.
System Improvements
Over time, the amount of ITAs issued under the Express Entry system has continued to rise due to Canada’s growing market. Thanks to this upwards trend, improvements were made to the system in the fall of 2016.
These changes came into effect on November 19, 2016, aimed at creating a sound immigration system. The changes address human resource needs while ensuring a long-term economic process for the country.
The improvements include awarding points for job offers made to eligible candidates already in Canada with LMIA – exempt work permits and international students who have completed their education in Canada.
In addition, longer is now allocated for candidates to submit applications for permanent residence once they need to receive ITAs.
The most recent improvement to Canada’s Express Entry system is that candidates with exceptional French language skills will now be ready to get more points, increasing from 15 to 25 points for French speakers and 30 to 50 for bilingual applicants.
Job Offers
From November 19, 2016, Points Awarded by the CRS for employment Offer Changed in Three Basic Ways:
Points will be awarded for job offers made to eligible candidates who are on LMIA-exempt work permits. Many foreign workers in Canada who are temporarily on employer-specific LMIA-exempt working permits but who want to remain in Canada permanently will no longer need to get an LMIA to be awarded job offer points by the CRS. This includes candidates who are here under the North American Free Trade Agreement(NAFTA), a federal-provincial agreement, or Intra-company transferees. For the points to be awarded, the candidate must meet specific criteria, like having a minimum of one year of work experience from an equivalent employer who is providing their job offer.
Job offers will only require a minimum of 1 year after they receive permanent residence. Changing the work offer requirement from permanent to at least one year means more highly skilled candidates working in contract-based industries will be more likely to receive a call for participation to use for permanent residence.
Points awarded for job offers are going to be reduced. A completion of fifty points will be awarded to candidates with a legitimate job offer during a National Occupational Classification (NOC) 0, A or B occupation while completing 200 points will be awarded to candidates with a fair job offer during a NOC 00 occupation.
80% of Express Entry candidates in 2017 got ITAs, even without a job offer. Even without a job offer, it is still possible to qualify for this program.
Education
Points will now be awarded for study in Canada above high school. The CRS will award 15 points for a one or two-year diploma or certificate and 30 points for a degree, diploma, or certificate of three years or longer, including a master’s, professional or doctoral degree.
More former international students will be ready to transition to permanent residency using the system with these changes. Former international students are a crucial source of candidates for the Express Entry system due to their age, education, skills, and experience. Permanently integrating into Canadian society will be easier because they need to familiarize themselves with life in Canada already.
Candidates will now have 60 days to finish an application for permanent residence if they get a call for participation use. This may give candidates longer to collect all the specified documentation and submit an entire application.
Since the new changes came into effect, the amount of ITAs issued has progressively increased, and therefore the number of CRS points required has significantly decreased.
Express Entry to Canada ITA Numbers
Number of ITAs issued in:
Why the Program Is Popular?
Express Entry applications can take as little as six months to process, making this program one of the fastest immigration programs in Canada. Only immigrants who have the proper skills required in each province can qualify, unlike the Green Card Lotteries utilized in the U.S.
Successful applicants can eventually apply for permanent residence in Canada.
Trudeau highlighted that the number of permanent residents arriving in Canada will be reduced from 500,000 to 395,000 in 2025 and 500,000 to 380,000 in 2026, with a target of 365,000 permanent residents in 2027. The Prime Minister also faced questions from reporters regarding reported internal discord within the Liberal party following a recent caucus meeting.
One of the major focuses of the 2025-2027 plan is transitioning more temporary residents, such as international students and workers already in Canada, into permanent residents. This helps ease demand on social services, as these individuals are already integrated into the workforce and housing system.
Click here to learn more about the 2025-2027 Immigration levels plan.