Express Entry

Express Entry is where you start if you want to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker. Your first step is to create a profile and submit it to the Express Entry pool. IRCC gives each eligible candidate a score, and ranks everyone in the pool.

Being in the pool does not guarantee anything. You can apply for permanent residence only if IRCC sends you an invitation, and the candidates with the highest scores when IRCC sends invitations are the ones invited. You have 60 days to complete and submit your profile once you start it, or you must begin again.

Express Entry manages three programs. IRCC uses this order when you are eligible for more than one:

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

You cannot choose which program you are invited under. If you decline an invitation, you are not offered the next program, although you may be invited again for the same one if you are still eligible.

This program is for people who already have work experience in Canada. IRCC asks for:

• At least 1 year of work, or 1,560 hours in total (30 hours a week), in the 3 years before you apply.
• Work in a skilled occupation in TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification.
• Paid work gained in Canada while you were authorised to work as a temporary resident.
• Approved English or French test results, with the minimum score in all four abilities: writing, reading, listening and speaking.

Volunteer work and unpaid internships do not count, and self-employment generally does not count. There is no education requirement, although your education can raise your ranking. You must plan to live outside Quebec.

This program is for people with skilled work experience from anywhere in the world. IRCC asks for:

• At least 1 year of continuous paid work, or 1,560 hours in total, within the last 10 years, in Canada or abroad.
• Work in TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 that matches the National Occupational Classification for your main occupation.
• A language level of at least CLB 7.
• A Canadian qualification, or a foreign qualification with an Educational Credential Assessment.
• A score of at least 67 out of 100 on the program selection factors.

The 100 points come from language (up to 28), education (up to 25), skilled work experience (up to 15), age (up to 12), arranged employment in Canada (up to 10) and adaptability (up to 10). You must also show you have enough money to settle, unless you can legally work in Canada now and have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.

Once you are in the pool, the Comprehensive Ranking System gives you a score out of 1,200. Up to 600 points are core points, from your skills and experience, your spouse or partner factors and skills transferability. Up to 600 are additional points, from Canadian study, a valid job offer, a nomination from a province or territory, a brother or sister in Canada, and strong French.

A provincial nomination is worth 600 extra points. Our Provincial Nominee Program guide explains how that route works.

IRCC is changing how Canadian work experience and job offers earn points. From 3 November 2026, a new Labour Market Integration factor is worth up to 150 points. You get whichever of two options gives you more, but not both:

• Canadian work experience: 140 points with a spouse or partner, or 150 without. This is made of work length points plus up to 70 points for high-wage occupations.
• A qualifying job offer: 100 points.

Job offers will count for points only in high-wage occupations. The big change is that a job offer will no longer need an LMIA to count, and having an LMIA will not add points. Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades applicants are assessed separately, and their job offers can be in any eligible TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 job.

IRCC will recalculate existing profiles, which it says could take up to two weeks, and invitation rounds pause during that time. Check the IRCC changes page before you rely on any score you have worked out.

IRCC lists these permanent residence fees:

• Main applicant: CAD $1,590. This includes the processing fee and the CAD $600 right of permanent residence fee.
• Spouse or partner: CAD $1,590 with the right of permanent residence fee, or CAD $990 without it.
• Each dependent child: CAD $270.
• Biometrics: CAD $85 per person.

You will also pay for things like language tests and credential assessments, and your test and assessment results can expire, which can make your profile ineligible. Proof of funds must be kept current too.

• Prepare your documents first: your language test results, your education assessment if you studied abroad, and your proof of work experience.
• Create your profile and submit it to the pool within 60 days.
• Wait for an invitation. You cannot apply without one.
• If you are invited, apply online for permanent residence and pay the fees.

Check the deadline on your invitation, and keep your profile up to date while you wait.