Express Entry

Express Entry was launched by the Canadian Government on January 1, 2015, as a way to choose skilled immigrants as Permanent Residents to Canada based on their ability to settle in Canada successfully.

Express Entry is used to manage applications for Permanent Residence under three federal economic immigration programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Canadian Experience Class
• Federal Skilled Trades Program

Provinces and territories can also recruit candidates from the Express Entry system through their Provincial Nominee Programs to meet local labor market needs.

Step 1 – Potential Candidates must complete an Online Express Entry Profile

Step 2 – The highest-ranking candidates in the pool will be invited to apply for Permanent Residence

Candidates will be ranked against others in the pool using a point-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System. Points are awarded using the information in their profile.

Candidates with the highest scores in the pool will be issued an Invitation to Apply. Candidates will be awarded points for:

Job offer, with or without LMIA, or Skills and experience factors.

A candidate can get additional points for:

Nomination by a province or territory, or Canadian degree, diploma or certificate

A candidate can get further additional points for:

Strong French language skills, with more additional points going to candidates who also have English language skills, or having relatives in Canada

These additional points will make a candidate rank high enough to be invited to apply at the next eligible round of invitations.

Candidates can stay in the pool for up to 12 months. If they do not get an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence within 12 months of submitting an Express Entry profile, they may submit a new profile. If they still meet the criteria, they can re-enter the pool. This will prevent backlogs and ensure quick processing times.