How Express Entry works
Express Entry support from profile to application
Express Entry is not a visa. It is IRCC's online system for managing applications under three federal economic immigration programmes, and the main route skilled workers use to apply for permanent residence.
Express Entry at a glance
- You create an online profile, which IRCC checks against three programmes
- Eligible candidates enter the pool and receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score out of 1,200
- A profile stays in the pool for up to 12 months
- IRCC issues an Invitation to Apply (ITA) to the highest-ranked candidates who meet a round's criteria
- You have 60 days from the ITA to submit your full PR application
Three programmes
Choose the programme that matches your experience
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
For skilled workers with experience outside Canada. Most applicants from India without Canadian work experience apply under this programme.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
For applicants with at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
For qualified tradespeople, such as electricians, welders and cooks, who have experience in an eligible trade and either a valid job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification.
Eligibility
Canada Express Entry eligibility and requirements
Express Entry eligibility depends on the programme you qualify for. Each one sets its own rules for work experience, language, education and funds.
- Work experience
- Only paid work in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC) counts for FSWP and CEC. FSWP needs one year within the last 10 years. CEC needs one year in Canada within the last three. FSTP needs two years in a skilled trade within the last five.
- Language
- Approved tests are IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General or PTE Core for English, and TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French. Results must be less than two years old. Minimum levels differ: FSWP needs CLB 7 in every skill, CEC needs CLB 7 or CLB 5 depending on your occupation's TEER category, and FSTP needs CLB 5 for speaking and listening and CLB 4 for reading and writing.
- Education
- FSWP requires secondary or post-secondary education, and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is needed for a degree from India. CEC and FSTP have no minimum education requirement, although an ECA can still earn CRS points for foreign education.
- Settlement funds
- FSWP and FSTP applicants show proof of funds, unless they are authorised to work in Canada and hold a valid job offer. CEC applicants are exempt.
FSWP's 67-point eligibility test
FSWP applicants must also score at least 67 out of 100 on six selection factors: language, education, experience, age, arranged employment and adaptability. This grid decides whether you can enter the pool under FSWP. It is separate from your CRS score, which decides your ranking once you are in.
Your CRS score
Express Entry CRS score and improvement options
Your CRS score is out of 1,200 and determines your ranking against other candidates in the pool.
Core factors
Most of your score comes from age, education, language ability and Canadian work experience. If your spouse or partner is accompanying you, their education, language results and Canadian experience count too.
Additional points
A provincial nomination adds 600 points. Strong French, study in Canada, or a sibling who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can also add points. Since 25 March 2025, a job offer no longer earns CRS points.
Category-based draws
In category-based rounds, IRCC ranks candidates who meet the category criteria by CRS and invites eligible candidates with the highest scores. Cut-offs vary by round. IRCC's current categories are:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare and social services occupations
- STEM occupations
- Trade occupations
- Education occupations
- Transport occupations
- Physicians with Canadian work experience
- Senior managers with Canadian work experience
- Researchers with Canadian work experience
- Skilled military recruits
Category eligibility depends mainly on your occupation and the experience you can document for it, or on your French results. We check whether you meet any category's criteria as part of your assessment.
The process
Canada Express Entry application process
- Profile check. We confirm your programme and work out your likely CRS range with you.
- Test and ECA. You complete your language test, plus an ECA if your programme needs one or you are claiming points for foreign education.
- Profile submission. Your profile enters the pool, where it stays for up to 12 months.
- Invitation to Apply. IRCC issues an ITA if you meet a round's criteria and rank high enough.
- Full application. You submit it to IRCC within 60 days of the invitation.
- Biometrics and medicals. These are completed when IRCC requests them.
- Decision. If IRCC approves your application, you receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
Have these ready before your ITA
- Passport for you and each family member included
- Language test report, valid on the day you apply
- ECA report with degree certificates and transcripts, where needed
- Reference letters with job title, duties, hours, salary and dates
- Proof of funds, if your programme requires it
- Police certificates and medicals, once you receive an ITA
Find out your likely CRS score before you book a test.
Costs and timelines
Express Entry costs, clearly set out
IRCC's current fees. Fees can change, so confirm them on the IRCC fee list before you pay.
Third-party costs are paid separately. Our professional fees come to you in writing after your assessment.
Why KINBRIDGE
How KINBRIDGE supports your Express Entry profile
Most of the work sits in three places: your score, your programme and your documents.
Your Current CRS Estimate
We calculate the score your profile supports today, factor by factor, and show you where the points come from.
The Right Programme
Your work history is matched to FSWP, CEC or FSTP, so you enter the pool under the programme you genuinely qualify for.
Improvement Options Reviewed
We assess which factors you can realistically improve, such as a language retest, French results or your spouse's scores, and which are not worth pursuing.
Category Eligibility Check
We check whether your occupation and documented experience, or your French results, meet the criteria for any current category.
Documents Checked Line by Line
Reference letters are checked against your profile, so the duties match your claimed NOC code and your file is ready before an ITA arrives.
IELTS and PTE Core Training
A higher band can raise your score, and our test preparation keeps your training with the same team.
FAQs
Your Express Entry questions, answered
Can I apply for Canada Express Entry from India?
Yes. Most applicants from India qualify through the Federal Skilled Worker Program. That requires skilled work experience, CLB 7 on an approved test, an ECA for your degree and enough settlement funds.
Can I improve my CRS score after creating a profile?
Yes. If you retake a test, gain another year of experience or add your spouse's results, you update your profile and IRCC recalculates your score.