Last Updated:13 November 2026

Why Apply for Canada Express Entry?

• The main pathway for skilled workers applying for Canadian permanent residence
• One online profile can make you eligible for federal and provincial invitation rounds
• Invitation rounds are held regularly throughout the year
• IRCC aims to process most complete applications within about six months of submission

*Canadian immigration services are provided by Omid Rezaei Dastgerdi, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), Licence No. R706545. 

Immigrate to Canada via Express Entry

Express Entry is the online system IRCC uses to manage applications for three federal skilled worker programs. It is not a program itself. You first need to qualify for at least one of these programs, then create a profile and enter the Express Entry pool, where you’re ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Express Entry is one of the main routes to Canada PR.

The three programs managed through Express Entry are:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Provinces and territories can also nominate candidates from the pool through their Express Entry-linked Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams. A nomination adds points to your CRS score, but you still need to qualify for one of the three federal programs.

Category-based draws

Besides general draws, IRCC holds category-based rounds that invite candidates with specific skills, work experience or language ability. IRCC sets these categories each year, and each category draw has its own cut-off score. In 2026, rounds have included categories such as French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, trades, transportation, physicians with Canadian work experience and senior managers with Canadian work experience. Check IRCC’s Express Entry rounds of invitations page for the current list.

Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2026-28

Key Facts About Canada Express Entry

• Express Entry manages three federal programs: FSWP, CEC and FSTP.
• Your profile stays in the pool for up to 12 months.
• After an ITA, you have 60 days to submit your complete PR application.
• There is no fixed CRS score that guarantees an invitation. Cut-offs change with every round.
• On November 3, 2026, IRCC changed how CRS points are awarded for Canadian work experience and job offers.

Express Entry Eligibility: Each Program Has Its Own Rules

There is no single set of Express Entry requirements. To enter the pool, you must meet the minimum requirements of at least one of the three programs, and those requirements differ.

Is an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) mandatory?

Only for some applicants. FSWP applicants who studied outside Canada need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to meet the education requirement. CEC and FSTP applicants don’t need one to be eligible, but they can get one to claim CRS points for education completed outside Canada.

FSW Selection Grid vs the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)

These are two separate points systems, and they’re often confused.

The FSW selection grid (out of 100) applies only to Federal Skilled Worker applicants. It’s a pass or fail eligibility test: you need at least 67 points to qualify for the program. It does not rank you against anyone.

 

The CRS applies to every candidate in the Express Entry pool, whichever program they qualify under. It ranks candidates against each other, and invitations are based on this score.

Meeting the 67-point FSW grid gets you into the pool. It says nothing about your CRS score or your chances of being invited.

How the CRS Score Is Calculated

What changed on November 3, 2026

IRCC added a new Labour Market Integration factor to the CRS. It gives points for either your Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer, but not both:

• Canadian work experience: points for the length of your experience (up to 80 without a spouse), plus up to 70 extra points if you have at least 12 months in an eligible high-wage occupation.
• High-wage job offer: 100, 70 or 50 points for a valid offer in an occupation on IRCC’s high-wage list, depending on its wage level. An offer outside the list earns no CRS points.

An LMIA is no longer required for a job offer to count in Express Entry, either for CRS points or for FSWP and FSTP eligibility.

Job offer points: how the rules have changed

Example CRS calculation (single applicant, no job offer)

• Age 29: 110 points
• Master’s degree: 135 points
• CLB 9 in all four language abilities: 124 points
• 1 year of Canadian work experience (not in a high-wage occupation): 40 points
• Skill transferability (master’s degree with CLB 9): 50 points
• Total CRS: 459

This example is for illustration only. Whether a score like this receives an invitation depends on the type of round and the cut-off at the time.

Step-by-Step Express Entry Process

The step wise procedure to apply for Canada Express Entry is given below:

Step 1: Check eligibility. Confirm you meet the minimum requirements of at least one program: FSWP, CEC or FSTP. Take an approved language test. Get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if you’re applying under FSWP with education from outside Canada, or if you want CRS points for foreign education.

Step 2: Calculate your CRS score. Use IRCC’s CRS tool to estimate your score based on age, education, language, work experience and any additional factors. There’s no fixed score that guarantees an invitation, because cut-offs change with each round and depend on the type of draw.

Step 3: Gather documents. Prepare passport, ECA (if needed), language test results, work reference letters, proof of funds (if required), police clearance, and civil documents.

Step 4: Create Express Entry profile. Submit details online to enter the pool. Keep your profile updated with any changes in work, language, or education.

Step 5: Enter the pool and wait for an ITA. IRCC holds general, program-specific, PNP and category-based rounds. If you meet a round’s criteria and your CRS score is at or above its cut-off, you may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Step 6: Apply for PR after an ITA. You have 60 days to submit your complete application with documents and fees. IRCC then assesses your eligibility, admissibility and documents before making a decision.

Express Entry Tie-Breaking Rule

When multiple Express Entry candidates have the same CRS score at the cut-off, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) applies the tie-breaking rule. This rule ensures fairness by prioritizing candidates based on the date and time their profile was submitted to the pool.

The tie-break timestamp is officially published in each draw announcement.

Example: If the CRS cut-off is 475, and you scored 475 but submitted your profile after the published tie-break date, you will not receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

This rule encourages applicants to create and maintain their profiles as early as possible.

PTE Core for Express Entry

IRCC accepts the Pearson Test of English (PTE Core) as an approved English language test for Express Entry, along with IELTS General Training and CELPIP.

PTE Core is a computerized English test that analyzes general speaking, writing, listening and reading in a single test.

Details of PTE Core:

• AI scoring + human expertise to reduce the risk of bias
• Valid for 2 years from the date of test results (the score must be valid on the day of PR application submission)
• Computer-based test
• Uses Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) to determine language proficiency
• The CLB level for each ability will be determined according to the test results

About CLB level and points awarded:

Express Entry Program: Federal Skilled Worker Program

Language Test - PTE Core: Pearson Test of English

First official language (maximum 24 points) for Main Applicant

Note: The main applicant for the Federal Skilled Worker Program must meet the minimum level for all four skills listed in the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7. CEC and FSTP have different minimum language levels. See the eligibility table above.

Express Entry Profile Creation

You can follow the simple steps given below to create your Express Entry profile:

Step 1: Take an approved English or French language test.

Step 2: Get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), if you need one.

Step 3: Check which Express Entry program you qualify for.

Step 4: Create your Express Entry profile online.

Step 5: Enter the pool and receive your CRS score.

Step 6: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), if you are selected in a round.

Step 7: Submit your PR application within 60 days.

ITA Canada

IRCC holds Express Entry invitation rounds regularly. Each round has its own cut-off score and may be limited to a specific program, category or PNP candidates. If your profile meets a round’s criteria and your CRS score is at or above the cut-off, you may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Being in the pool for a long time does not by itself lead to an invitation.

After you receive an ITA, you have 60 days to submit a complete PR application. If you don’t apply in time, the invitation expires.

Submission of PR Application

After receiving an ITA, the candidate must know the Express Entry program (CEC, FSTP, FSWP) for which they were chosen.

The list of requirements for submitting the PR application is as follows:

• Language test results
• Proof of civil birth (birth certificate)
• Proof of educational qualifications
• Proof of work experience
• Medical exam results
• Police clearance certificates
• Proof of sufficient funds (if required for your program)

Express Entry Cost

The table given below has details of the Express Entry fees:

IRCC fees shown are effective April 30, 2026. Check IRCC’s fee list before you pay.

PNP-Linked Express Entry Pathway

Provinces and territories can nominate candidates from the Express Entry pool through their Express Entry-linked PNP streams. A provincial nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score, which places you high in the ranking. However, you still need to be invited in an IRCC round, and your PR application is assessed separately on eligibility and admissibility.

Each province sets its own streams, eligibility rules and selection criteria, and these change often. Some streams target specific occupations, and others require a job offer or a connection to the province. Learn more about the Ontario PNP, British Columbia PNP, Alberta PNP, Saskatchewan PNP, Manitoba PNP, Nova Scotia PNP, New Brunswick PNP, Prince Edward Island PNP and Newfoundland and Labrador PNP.

Proof of Funds for Express Entry

Proof of funds is required for Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades applicants. You don’t need it if you’re applying under the Canadian Experience Class, or if you’re authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer. The amounts below are the latest figures published by IRCC (updated July 7, 2025). IRCC updates them periodically, so check its website before applying.

Latest Express Entry Draws

How Y-Axis Supports Your Canada Application?

Y-Axis acts as a registered immigration Agent supporting Omid Rezaei Dastgerdi, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), Licence No. R706545, a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) registered with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). 
As your administrative support team, Y-Axis can assist you with:

• Gathering and organising your supporting documents
• Coordinating appointments and communication on your behalf
• Providing general, publicly available information about Canadian immigration programmes

• Referring you to Omid Rezaei Dastgerdi, RCIC Licence No. R706545 for all regulated advice, eligibility assessments, and application representation 

• All regulated immigration advice, eligibility assessments, and application representation are the exclusive responsibility of Omid Rezaei Dastgerdi, RCIC Licence No. R706545