Stop feeling overwhelmed by forms and uncertainty. We simplify your Express Entry application process, transforming it from daunting to approved. Our team strategically builds your profile, perfects your documents, and provides expert RCIC support at every step, guiding you from submission to permanent residency.
Express Entry is an invitation-based immigration system prioritizing skilled workers with high human capital. First, Applicants must create an online profile and provide information about their education, skills, work experiences, language proficiency, and other details. This online profile is important because the system automatically determines an applicant’s eligibility based on it.
There are 3 economic immigration programs under the Express Entry system:
A portion of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) under the Express Entry system allows provinces and territories to recruit economic migrants. If you qualify for one of these three programs, you can apply for the Provincial Nominee Programs through Express Entry. You will receive up to 600 extra points and an invitation faster if nominated.
It is to be noted that with the FSW program, you are eligible to stay in any province in Canada except Quebec.
The most unique part of the system is the Express Entry pool. Even if an applicant meets the minimum criteria, it does not guarantee the right to immigrate to Canada. Instead, all eligible candidates who successfully complete the initial screening process will enter an Express Entry Pool.
Express Entry pool is where all candidates are ranked vis-à-vis all other potential candidates who have passed the initial screening. To determine the ranking, a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) assigns scores to applicants based on various components such as work experience, language proficiency, education, job offer, etc.
In the next step, only candidates with the highest rankings in the Express Entry pool are invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada. One key aspect of system management involves deciding the number of Invitations to Apply issued in each round rather than focusing solely on the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score.
Express Entry is an online system that allows candidates to submit their profiles and be considered for immigration to Canada. It is a complex process, and you need to be very careful about every single aspect of it. Here is a step-by-step guide to the Express Entry process:
Meet the eligibility criteria before you begin the Express Entry process. You should consider factors like age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability. Each program under the Canada Express Entry system has unique eligibility requirements outlined below:
The Federal Skilled Worker Program remains one of the most popular programs under the Express Entry System. You may be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program if you meet the following requirements:
The Federal Skilled Trades Program provides a permanent residence pathway for skilled workers with 24 months of continuous or part-time equivalent work experience in a qualifying skilled trade in the past five years. These trades must fall under TEER 2 or TEER 3 category.
In case you do not have the full 24 months of work experience mentioned above, you will need to also meet the following requirements:
The Canadian Experience Class program is ideal for candidates with Canadian work experience. Many international students use the CEC as their preferred pathway for Canadian immigration. You may be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class if you meet the following requirements:
We club two steps in one because these two are prerequisites for profile creation, and the order of the steps does not matter. To save time, it is better to finish these two steps simultaneously.
ECA is used to verify whether your education is valid and equal to that of a Canadian. Several institutions can verify your ECA. University of Toronto, ICAS, World Education Services (WES), IQAS, and BCIT.
WES takes the minimum time to verify your education. The cost differs from institute to institute, but generally, it takes approximately $200-$250
You can either take the IELTS or CELPIP English language proficiency tests. If you opt for the French language proficiency test, there are two tests—Tef Canada and TCF Canada. You need to score several points in reading, listening, writing, and speaking. You can read through our FAQ section to learn more about it.
You must submit an Express Entry profile to the pool of candidates. The Express Entry profile acts as an Expression of Interest (EOI). Eligible candidates will automatically receive a score based on their profile and will be ranked against the other candidates in the pool.
The ranking score for Express Entry is based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and is out of 1,200 points.
The CRS score is based on many factors, including:
The highest-ranked candidates in the Express Entry pool are periodically invited to apply for permanent residence. You will need to wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Express Entry draws are held at regular intervals, although the minimum CRS score required to receive an ITA can vary from draw to draw, depending on the number of candidates in the pool. ITAs are sent to only those candidates who can clear the cutoff score. It is not a lottery system, but you will be given an ITA based on your score and application date.
Once you receive an ITA, you’ll have a limited time (usually 60 days) to submit a complete application.
Documents required at two stages of the process:
1) Profile submission
2) Application submission
For profile submission, you would need the following:
✔ Passport
✔ ECA Report
✔ Results of the language test
✔ Employment offer (if received)
✔ Provincial nomination (if accepted)
For application submission, you need:
✔ Proof of funds
✔ Police clearance certificate
✔ Medical examination report
You should have some money in your bank account as savings. The government has specified different amounts depending on the number of family members.
| Number of family members | Funds required (CAD) Updated July 7, 2025 |
|---|---|
| 1 | $15,263 |
| 2 | $19,001 |
| 3 | $23,360 |
| 4 | $28,362 |
| 5 | $32,168 |
| 6 | $36,280 |
| 7 | $40,392 |
| If more than 7 people, for each additional family member | $4,112 |
Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program applicants must demonstrate proof of funds. However, applicants under the Canadian Experience Class do not need to show proof of funds. It is also essential to update your funds in your profile.
As part of the application process, you and your family will be required to undergo medical exams and provide police clearance certificates.
Log in to your Express Entry account and submit your application for permanent residence. Pay the application fees and submit all required documents and information.
Application processing fee – CAD $850
Right of Permanent Residence fee – CAD $515
With Spouse or partner – CAD $850
With a dependent child – CAD $230 (per child)
Additional fees for other procedures:
IELTS Exam – CAD 315
ECA fees – 255 CAD (approx.)
Medical Exam – Vary from country to country
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) – Vary from country to country
The IRCC will process your application and may request additional documents or information during this phase. To avoid delays, it’s essential to respond promptly to any requests.
If your application is approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a Permanent Resident Visa (if required).
The Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) are special immigration programs that are run by each province in Canada. They do not fall under the Express Entry System, which covers only the economic Federal immigration pathways.
However, it may be possible for candidates to earn 600 additional points on their CRS score if they receive a nomination under a qualifying Provincial Nominee Program. This will help them improve their odds of receiving an Invitation to Apply via the Express Entry System.
Learn more: Express Entry vs PNP which is better?
Check if you have enough score for Express Entry Canada.
The CRS system awards candidates with points in different areas. This includes:
Younger applicants with high levels of education, extensive work experience in qualifying occupations, and high English or French language proficiency generally receive preference under the Express Entry System. It may be possible to increase your CRS score by gaining additional work experience, earning more education credentials, and by improving your language test scores.
Another option is to try for a provincial nomination. This will earn you an additional 600 CRS points towards your Express Entry Profile. Please get in touch with Elaar Immigration to learn the different ways to boost your CRS score.
All the Canada Express Entry federal economic immigration programs take 6–8 months to process. The moment a complete application for permanent residency is received, the government starts tracking the processing time. When a decision is made about the application, the processing period is complete.
Candidates must visit the IRCC’s official website to check the most recent processing time for Canada Express Entry.
If you need assistance with your Express Entry profile, please get in touch with ELAAR. Our team of experts is headed by Keshav Sharma, a Licensed and Regulated Immigration Consultant with many years of immigration experience. Together we can help you optimize your Express Entry profile and maximize your odds of receiving an Invitation to Apply. Book a consultation here.
Category-based draws are special Express Entry rounds started in 2023. Canada invites candidates with specific skills or work experience that match job market needs. The six job categories for 2025 are:
These draws usually have lower CRS cutoff scores than general draws. This makes them better for candidates with the right experience.
To create an Express Entry profile, go to the IRCC website.
There is no fixed minimum CRS score for Express Entry. The score required varies depending on the type of draw held and the size of the candidate pool.
Category-based draws (French speakers, healthcare, STEM, trades, agriculture, education) often have significantly lower cutoff scores than general all-programs draws.
PNP draws have much higher cutoff scores (700-860 points) as the candidates get 600 additional points.
Starting March 25, 2025, job offers will no longer give candidates extra CRS points in Express Entry. Before this change, candidates could earn 50 to 200 points for valid job offers. These offers needed to be backed by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or certain LMIA-exempt work permits. This update impacts both LMIA-based and LMIA-exempt job offers
The tie-breaking rule determines which candidates receive Invitations to Apply when multiple applicants have the same CRS score. IRCC prioritizes candidates who submitted their Express Entry profile earlier, based on the exact date and timestamp. For example, if the cutoff score is 470 and two candidates both have 470 points, the one who submitted their profile first receives the ITA. The tie-breaking rule only applies to candidates whose score exactly matches the draw cutoff.
TEER 3 occupations qualify for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades Program, while TEER 4 occupations do not qualify. TEER 4 and TEER 5 jobs require less training and are excluded from Express Entry. However, TEER 4 occupations may still be eligible for Provincial Nominee Programs or other immigration options.
Here is a detailed guide: NOC TEER Categories Eligible for Canada PR
AOR means “Acknowledgment of Receipt.” It is the first official notice you get from IRCC after you submit your complete Express Entry application. This happens after you receive an Invitation to Apply. The AOR email confirms that IRCC has your application and gives it a file number. You usually get this email within 1-2 weeks of applying online. After you receive the AOR, your application goes into the processing queue. You can expect it to be fully processed within 6-8 months from the AOR date. The AOR also includes important details, like your file number. You will need this number for all future communication with IRCC about your application.
Common reasons Express Entry applications get refused can be simplified as follows:
About 30% of refusals happen due to incomplete documents. Being accurate, honest, and thorough with your application and documents greatly lowers your chances of refusal.
A provincial nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score under Express Entry, which virtually guarantees you will receive an Invitation to Apply in the next draw.
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