Express Entry Application
Express Entry Canada
Express Entry is Canada's online application management system for three federal economic immigration programs. Eligible candidates enter a pool, receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and may be invited to apply for permanent residence.
3 Programs Managed by Express Entry
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Requires at least 1 year / 1,560 hours of qualifying authorized Canadian work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 within the previous 3 years.
Language: CLB/NCLC 7 for TEER 0–1; CLB/NCLC 5 for TEER 2–3.
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
Requires at least 1 year of continuous qualifying TEER 0–3 skilled work experience within the previous 10 years, CLB/NCLC 7, required education and at least 67/100 FSW selection-factor points.
Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
Requires at least 2 years of qualifying skilled-trade experience within the previous 5 years plus an eligible one-year job offer or Canadian certificate of qualification.
Language: CLB/NCLC 5 speaking/listening and 4 reading/writing.
Current Category-Based Selection
To receive a category-based invitation, you must first be eligible for one of the three Express Entry programs and meet the requirements of the specific category.
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare and social services
- STEM occupations
- Trade occupations
- Education occupations
- Transport occupations
- Physicians with Canadian work experience
- Senior managers with Canadian work experience
- Researchers with Canadian work experience
- Skilled military recruits
For the main occupation-based categories, IRCC currently requires at least 12 months of qualifying experience within the previous 3 years in a single listed occupation. Category rules vary, so the exact category must be checked.
CRS Score & Invitations
CRS ranks eligible candidates using age, education, official-language ability, Canadian and foreign work experience, spouse factors, skill-transferability factors and eligible additional points.
No CRS points for job offers: IRCC removed the former 50 or 200 arranged-employment CRS points on March 25, 2025. A valid job offer can still matter for eligibility under FSW, FST or some PNP streams.
Express Entry Process
1. Confirm Eligibility
Qualify for CEC, FSW or FST and prepare valid language results and other required documents.
2. Create Profile
Submit the Express Entry profile and receive a CRS score in the pool.
3. Receive an ITA
IRCC holds general, program-specific and category-based invitation rounds.
4. Apply for PR
If invited, submit the permanent residence application within 60 days.
Current Express Entry Rules to Know
- Occupations are classified under NOC 2021 / TEER, not the older NOC 0/A/B system
- Not every Express Entry applicant needs CLB 7 — the language level depends on the federal program and category
- A job offer no longer adds 50 or 200 CRS points
- Confirm eligibility under CEC, FSW or FST first
- Then assess CRS and category-based selection separately
- A valid job offer can still matter for some eligibility rules, including FSW, FST and some PNP streams
Check Your Express Entry Strategy
Sia Immigration Solutions can review program eligibility, NOC/TEER, work experience, language, CRS and current category-based opportunities.
Important: Express Entry categories, invitation rounds and CRS cutoffs can change. Being eligible for Express Entry does not guarantee an Invitation to Apply.
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