Express Entry Canada: Eligibility, CRS Points, How to Apply

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.

Dreaming of settling in Canada as a Permanent Resident (PR)? Express Entry Canada is recognized globally as the fastest, most popular, and most efficient route for skilled foreign workers to achieve this goal. Introduced in 2015, this dynamic system acts as the main driver of Canada's modern economic immigration. It is diligently managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The heart of the system is the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This is a transparent, points-based tool used to rigorously evaluate your candidate profile based on key factors: your age, education level, skilled work experience (both Canadian and foreign), and official language proficiency in English or French.

Once you submit your profile into the pool, IRCC conducts regular draws, issuing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency to candidates who meet the cutoff score. Understanding your potential CRS score and meeting eligibility for one of the three federal programs is the essential first step. Express Entry Canada offers a clear pathway for thousands of applicants globally every year.

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Latest Update on Canada Express Entry 2026

• On December 8, 2025: Canada's Immigration Minister announced three new measures on December 8, 2025, aimed at accelerating permanent residence for international doctors. These changes include a new Express Entry category for physicians with Canadian experience, an additional 5,000 permanent residence spots for provinces, and faster 14-day work permits for nominated doctors.
• On November 4, 2025: The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is set to become the biggest driver of economic immigration outside of the main Express Entry stream. The federal government has significantly increased the annual immigration targets for the PNP for 2026.

How to Apply for Canada Express Entry 2026?

To apply for PR under Canada's Express Entry program in 2026, 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.

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 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.. 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:

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.

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.