Canada's fastest route to permanent residency through the federal Express Entry system. CRS-based selection for skilled workers worldwide.
Curious where you stand? Try our free CRS Score Calculator.
Express Entry is not a program. It's the online system that manages applications for three federal economic programs: the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades (FST). You create a profile, enter a pool, and are ranked against everyone else.
Ranking uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), a 1,200-point score. In regular draws, IRCC invites the highest-ranked candidates to apply for permanent residence. There's no fixed pass mark: the cut-off is simply wherever the last invited candidate sits that draw.
It's the fastest federal route to PR: roughly 6 months from an Invitation to Apply to a decision. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points and all but guarantees an invitation, and category-based draws give targeted occupations and French speakers a lower bar.
Want your number first? Our free CRS Score Calculator estimates your points out of 1,200 in about five minutes, with no sign-up.
Express Entry manages three programs. You're assessed against all three when you create a profile, and you only need to qualify for one to enter the pool.
For skilled workers with foreign (or any) work experience. This is the main route for candidates applying from overseas.
For people who already have skilled Canadian work experience, often graduates on a post-graduation work permit.
For qualified tradespeople in eligible skilled trades.
The Federal Skilled Worker program has its own eligibility grid, separate from the CRS. You must score at least 67 out of 100 across six factors just to qualify for FSW. (CEC and FST don't use this grid.)
| Selection factor | Max points |
|---|---|
| Language (English and/or French) | 28 |
| Education | 25 |
| Work experience | 15 |
| Age | 12 |
| Arranged employment in Canada | 10 |
| Adaptability | 10 |
FSW also requires a minimum of CLB 7 in every ability. Scoring below CLB 7 in any one skill makes you ineligible for FSW, regardless of your total. Note: arranged employment still counts here on the 67-grid, even though a job offer no longer adds CRS points.
Once you're in the pool, the CRS ranks you against everyone else out of 1,200 points. There's no fixed pass mark. Each draw invites down to wherever the last candidate sits. Below is every part of the score.
| Section | What it covers | Max |
|---|---|---|
| A. Core / human capital | Age, education, language, Canadian work experience | 500 |
| B. Spouse factors | Spouse's language, education, Canadian work | 40 |
| C. Skill transferability | Education & experience combined with language | 100 |
| D. Additional points | Nomination, French, Canadian study, sibling | 600 |
Sections A and B are capped at 500 together: a single applicant can score up to 500 on A alone; with a spouse, up to 460 on A plus up to 40 on B.
| Factor | Without a spouse | With a spouse |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 110 | 100 |
| Level of education | 150 | 140 |
| First official language | 136 | 128 |
| Second official language | 24 | 22 |
| Canadian work experience | 80 | 70 |
| Subtotal | 500 | 460 |
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Spouse's language ability | 20 |
| Spouse's level of education | 10 |
| Spouse's Canadian work experience | 10 |
| Combination | Max |
|---|---|
| Education + a strong language result or Canadian work experience | 50 |
| Foreign work experience + a strong language result or Canadian work experience | 50 |
| A certificate of qualification (trades) + a strong language result | 50 |
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Provincial nomination (PNP) | 600 |
| Strong French (NCLC 7+ all four), with lower or no English | 25 |
| Strong French (NCLC 7+ all four), with English CLB 5+ | 50 |
| Post-secondary study in Canada, 1 or 2 years | 15 |
| Post-secondary study in Canada, 3+ years | 30 |
| Sibling (brother or sister) in Canada who is a citizen or PR | 15 |
| A valid job offer / arranged employment | 0 |
A job offer is worth 0 CRS points. IRCC removed arranged-employment points (previously 50 or 200) on March 25, 2025. A job offer still helps: it can make you eligible for Federal Skilled Trades, counts on the FSW 67-grid, and can exempt you from proof of funds. But the 600-point boost comes from a provincial nomination, not a job offer.
From profile to PR, here's the full sequence, and the deadlines that matter.
Check that you meet at least one program: FSW, CEC or FST. If FSW, confirm you pass the 67-point grid.
Take an approved language test, get an ECA for foreign education, and calculate your CRS so you know where you stand.
Submit your Express Entry profile. It stays in the pool for up to 12 months, ranked live against everyone else by CRS.
Draws run regularly: general (all programs), program-specific, category-based, and PNP-linked. Each sets its own cut-off score.
If your CRS meets or beats the cut-off, you're invited to apply for permanent residence.
You have 60 days to file a complete PR application. A licensed RCIC prepares and submits it; IRCC then processes in about 6 months.
Alongside general draws, IRCC runs category-based draws that invite candidates in priority occupations and French speakers, often at a lower CRS cut-off than a general draw. To qualify under an occupational category in 2026 you need at least 1 year of eligible experience in the last 3 years.
French is the big one. French-language draws have been the most frequent category and usually carry the lowest cut-offs. Strong French (NCLC 7+) can also add up to 50 CRS points on top. If you have any French, it's often the fastest route in.
If your score isn't competitive yet, these are the moves that help most, roughly in order.
Our Express Entry package covers every stage from initial assessment to landing in Canada.
Full calculation of your Comprehensive Ranking System score with strategies to maximize your points before entering the pool.
We build and submit your Express Entry profile ensuring every field is completed accurately to avoid processing delays.
Thorough review of all supporting documents including language tests, ECA, reference letters, and proof of funds for IRCC compliance.
Identification of eligible PNP streams that can add 600 CRS points to your profile, making an invitation very likely in an upcoming draw.
Once you receive an ITA, a licensed RCIC prepares and submits your complete PR application within the 60-day deadline with all required documentation.
Support with your first landing, SIN application, health card registration, and initial settlement steps in Canada.
On top of your program's rules, every Express Entry applicant needs the following documents and clearances:
Requirements vary by stream (FSW, CEC, FST). Contact us for a personalized CRS assessment based on your specific profile.
Track your document preparation progress. Click each item as you gather your documents.
Here is a typical timeline from your first consultation to PR approval through Express Entry.
We calculate your CRS score and help you organize your profile, while a licensed RCIC confirms your eligible streams and immigration strategy.
Day 1Your Express Entry profile is built and submitted with optimized data to ensure the highest possible CRS score.
3 – 5 daysYour profile enters the Express Entry pool. We continuously monitor draw trends and explore PNP nomination opportunities.
OngoingOnce you receive an Invitation to Apply, a licensed RCIC prepares and submits your complete PR application within the 60-day window.
60 daysIRCC processes your application. Your licensed RCIC handles any additional document requests and guides you through to PR approval.
~6 monthsBelow is an estimated breakdown of government, third-party, and service fees for an Express Entry application.
| Fee Item | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| IRCC Processing Fee | $990 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) | $600 |
| Biometrics | $85 |
| Language Test (IELTS / CELPIP / PTE) | ~$300 |
| Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) | ~$200 |
| TSH Service Fee | $499 |
* Fees are approximate and subject to change. Amounts may vary depending on country of origin and number of dependents. IRCC fees are current as of 2026.
You need a minimum of 67 out of 100 on the FSW eligibility grid to enter the pool, but competitive ITA scores vary by draw. General draws typically require 470–500+ CRS points. However, with a Provincial Nominee Program nomination adding 600 points, candidates with lower base scores can still receive an ITA. Category-based draws for healthcare, STEM, trades, and French proficiency may have different cutoffs.
Once you receive an ITA, IRCC aims to process your PR application within approximately 6 months. Profile creation typically takes 1–2 weeks, and the wait time in the pool varies based on your CRS score and draw frequency. The total timeline from profile creation to PR card can range from 6 to 12 months depending on these factors.
Yes, there are several proven strategies to boost your CRS score. These include achieving higher language test scores, gaining Canadian work experience, obtaining a Provincial Nominee Program nomination (which adds 600 CRS points), upgrading education credentials, and optimizing spouse factors such as language scores and work experience. Note: a job offer no longer adds CRS points, because IRCC removed the arranged-employment points in 2025, though a job offer still matters for program eligibility.
The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is designed for overseas skilled workers with foreign work experience. The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) targets individuals who already have Canadian work experience. The Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program is for qualified tradespeople with a valid job offer or certificate of qualification in a skilled trade. Each stream has different eligibility requirements for language, education, and work experience.
The CRS scores you out of 1,200 points across four sections: up to 500 for core human-capital factors (age, education, language and Canadian work experience, or 460 plus up to 40 spouse points if your partner is coming), up to 100 for skill transferability (education and experience combined with strong language), and up to 600 additional points. The additional points include 600 for a provincial nomination, up to 50 for strong French, 15–30 for Canadian study and 15 for a sibling in Canada. Try our CRS calculator to see your number.
No, they're two different things. The 67-point grid is an eligibility test for the Federal Skilled Worker program only: you must score at least 67 out of 100 across language (28), education (25), work experience (15), age (12), arranged employment (10) and adaptability (10) to qualify. The CRS is a separate 1,200-point ranking that decides your place in the pool once you're in it. You can pass the 67-grid and still need a higher CRS to get invited.
Category-based draws invite candidates in priority groups, often at a lower CRS than a general draw. For 2026 the categories are healthcare & social services, STEM, trades, education, French-language proficiency, transport, physicians with Canadian experience, senior managers with Canadian experience, researchers with Canadian experience, and skilled military recruits. To qualify under an occupational category you now need at least 1 year of eligible experience in the last 3 years. French-language draws have been the most frequent and usually carry the lowest cut-offs.
A job offer no longer adds CRS points. IRCC removed the arranged-employment points (previously 50 or 200) on March 25, 2025. It still matters, though: it can make you eligible for Federal Skilled Trades, it counts on the FSW 67-point grid, and it can exempt you from proof of funds. The 600-point boost that transforms a profile comes from a provincial nomination, not a job offer.
Get a free CRS assessment and discover your fastest path to Canadian permanent residency.