Express Entry Canada: Eligibility, CRS Points, How to Apply
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Canada Express Entry is designed to attract international skilled workers to Canada. This immigration process assesses candidates' profiles based on factors like education, work experience, and language proficiency. If selected, you'll receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
What is Express Entry Canada? Canada Express Entry is the most popular way to get Canada Permanent Residence (PR) visa and settle there. It uses the point-based system, which is known as CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System), to assess if an applicant is eligible for PR visa or not. The profile of a candidate will be assessed based on their age, qualifications, work experience, adaptability, etc.
Established as one of the most popular immigration systems globally, it was introduced in 2015, and since then, it has become the main driver of economic immigration to Canada. It is managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which handles applications received through Canada’s federal immigration programs.
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- Latest Update on Canada Express Entry 2025
- How to Apply for Canada Express Entry 2025?
- Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) – Express Entry Canada
- Types of Canada Express Entry
- Express Entry Canada Provinces
Latest Update on Canada Express Entry 2025
- On July 7, 2025: The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated the amount required for getting Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada. Applicants will now need to show CAD 15,263 (INR 9.55 lakhs) as proof of funds for Canada PR. This new change will affect the application submitted after July 7, 2025. This amount applies to a single applicant only. If you're planning to apply with your spouse, the required amount goes up to CAD 19,001 (INR 11.89 lakhs).
- On March 25, 2025:, the Canadian government made a significant announcement regarding the Express Entry program. Applicants will no longer receive Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for having a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. Previously, candidates could receive up to 200 extra CRS points for a job offer, which was a considerable advantage. This change was initially announced in December 2024 but was implemented recently. It is important for applicants planning to apply for Canadian PR through Express Entry to be aware of this update.
How to Apply for Canada Express Entry 2025?
To apply for PR under Canada's Express Entry program in 2025, applicants need to create a profile on IRCC. Assess your eligibility for one of the three federal economic immigration programs, and then submit your profile to the pool of candidates. Every year, IRCC invites eligible candidates to apply for a permanent residence application.
- Candidates submit their Canada Express Entry Profile and get ranked according to a CRS point system.
- After the Canada Express Entry Draw, candidates with the highest rankings are invited by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to apply for permanent residency.
- Once applied, candidates’ PR applications are scored according to the program's point-based Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Most of the applications are processed within 6 months. Apart from this, candidates should also register with Job Bank through their Job Match Account and search for work. This process enhances the chances of the candidate wishing to build a successful career in Canada.
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Canada Express Entry Points: Parameters
- Education: The education and qualifications of the candidate
- Language Proficiency: Proficiency in the English language or French
- Candidate's age: You must be between 19 and 44 years old.
- Work Experience: The Canadian work experience and the demanding skills of the candidate.
- Job Offer: If a candidate has a job offer from an organisation based in Canada
- Partner's Qualification: The spouse’s education, work experience, and English or French language proficiency
Also, if the candidate has completed his education in any Canadian college or university or has a provincial nomination then he is given additional points.
Steps to Apply for Express Entry
Here is an overview of how to apply for Canada PR through Express Entry:
- Arrange all the necessary documents such as IELTS score, ECA (Education Credential Assessment), etc.
- Check whether you are eligible to apply through the Canada Express Entry program.
- If you are eligible, you can submit your Expression of Interest (EOI). Your profile will be ranked in the Express Entry Pool with the help of the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
- You will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) if you have scored well on the CRS.
- From the day of receiving the ITA, you will have 60 days to apply.
- Canada PR application processing time will be nearly 6 months in case your documents are complete and in order.
- After applying, you will have to go through document verification and other formalities. All this will be done by an immigration officer.
- Once your application is approved by the IRCC, you will receive your Canada PR.
Candidates can visit the official website of IRCC for these links to check their Canada Express Entry Eligibility as well as their CRS Express Entry Canada Score from the official website.
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Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) – Express Entry Canada
The table given below provides information about the various assessment criteria on which your score will be calculated:
| Assessment Criteria |
Maximum Score |
|---|---|
| Marital Status |
It will decide the maximum points for the criteria mentioned below |
| Age |
110 |
| Level of Education |
150 |
| Language Proficiency |
160 |
| Canadian Work Experience |
80 |
| Skill Transferability |
100 |
| Additional Points |
600 |
Types of Canada Express Entry
Here are types of Canada Express Entry:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Canadian Experience Class for skilled workers with Canadian work experience.
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): Federal Skilled Worker Program for skilled workers with foreign work experience.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): Federal Skilled Trades Program for skilled workers who are qualified in a skilled trade.
Canadian Experience Class
This class is designed for people who have gained at least one year of full-time skilled work experience in Canada. After fulfilling the other criteria as well, one becomes eligible to apply under the Canada Express Entry. Here are certain requirements of the Canadian Experience Class program:
- English language proficiency: CLB 7 (for TEER 0 or 1) and CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3
- At least 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada in the last 3 years. This translates to at least 1,560 hours. However, this work experience must be a paid one.
- Having a degree from a Canadian University will improve your score in the Express Entry Pool.
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)
Canada has a shortage of people who are skilled in particular fields. The FSW program is designed for people who are skilled in their work, and therefore, they are selected to immigrate to Canada. The following are the requirements:
- You must score CLB 7 level in speaking, reading, writing, and listening.
- At least 1 year of work experience in TEER 0 to 3. This means at least 1,560 hours.
- You need to provide proof of funds. The criteria are the same as those of the Federal Skilled Trades Program (mentioned below).
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Those who have gained at least two years of full-time work experience in an eligible skilled trade can apply for PR under this program. The following points will provide you with the requirements for applying for Canada PR through the Federal Skilled Trades Program:
- English language proficiency: CLB 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing
- Minimum 2 years of full-time work experience in the last 5 years (before application). Work experience must be in a skilled trade (TEER 2 or 3)
- Canadian Education will fetch you extra points in the Express Entry Pool.
You need to show proof of funds. However, if you are authorised to work in Canada and you have a valid job offer, you do not need to show proof of funds. The table given below provides you with the details of proof of funds.
| Family Members | Funds Needed (in CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | CAD 15,263 |
| 2 | CAD 19,001 |
| 3 | CAD 23,360 |
| 4 | CAD 28,362 |
| 5 | CAD 32,168 |
| 6 | CAD 36,280 |
Note: CAD 4,112 are required for every additional family member.
Express Entry Canada Provinces
- British Columbia Express Entry
- Alberta Express Entry
- Saskatchewan Express Entry
- Manitoba Express Entry
- Ontario Express Entry
- New Brunswick Express Entry
- PEI Express Entry
- Nova Scotia Express Entry
- Newfoundland Express Entry
Potential employers based in Canada, provinces, and territories can also recruit immigrants directly from the Express Entry pool. Also, candidates who receive a potential job offer or are awarded an enhanced provincial nomination are given a significant number of points, which also boosts their Express Entry score.
The following points will provide the details for the IELTS score for Canada Express Entry:
- For the Canadian Experience Class, CLB 7 (for TEER 0 or 1) and CLB 5 (for TEER 2 or 3) are required.
- For the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), CLB 7 level in speaking, reading, writing, and listening is required.
- For the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), CLB 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing are required.
The following table will help you compare CLB level with IELTS scores.
| CLB Level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 7.5 |
| 9 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 |
| 8 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 |
| 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 6 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| 5 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| 4 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
Applying through the system has a number of advantages, including the opportunity to do so online and speedier processing times. The method also enables the Canadian government to better match immigration regulations with the demands of the nation's economy. If chosen, individuals who meet the requirements can submit an Express Entry profile and request an invitation to apply for permanent residency. In addition to all these benefits, candidates applying for Canada Express Entry are not required to have a pre-approved job offer before applying for Canada PR.
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5 years ago
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6 years ago
P
5 years ago
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S
6 years ago
The following documents are required for the Canada Express Entry application:
Candidates may also submit any other documents that are relevant to their application. It is essential for the candidates to be sure of all the documents they require as per their profile (for e.g., some might require a marriage certificate, divorce certificate, adoption certificate, etc.).