What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an economic-driven immigration program by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that allows skilled workers to immigrate to Canada. If you qualify, you can be chosen to apply for permanent residency – and you may not even need a job offer!
The three main federal economic programs are:
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST), and
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
In addition to these, you may also qualify and be selected for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), where a specific province or territory nominates you to settle in their province or territory and contribute to their unique economic needs. Your background and qualifications will direct you to the most suited program for your application. To compare, each is addressed below.
Please note: The Federal Express Entry program does not apply to the province of Québec. For those seeking to immigrate to Québec, please look into the Québec-Selected Skilled Workers program for more details.
Federal Skilled Worker
This program is designed for skilled workers with at least one continuous year (1,560 hours) of foreign work experience.
The minimum requirements are:
- Skilled work experience,
- Language ability, and
- Education.
Also, the foreign work experience must fall within the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category 0, 1, 2, or 3.
Federal Skilled Trades
This program is designed for workers qualified in a skilled trade.
The minimum requirements are:
- Two years full-time work experience in a qualified NOC TEER category,
- Language ability, and
- A valid job offer or certificate of qualification issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal authority.
A job offer is considered “valid” if it is full-time, non-seasonal, for at least one year, and in a skilled TEER category (0, 1, 2, or 3). The job offer should be in writing and set out your salary, job duties, conditions of employment, weekly hours, etc.
Please note: FSW and FST applicants must show sufficient funds to settle in Canada, unless there is a valid Canadian job offer.
Canadian Experience Class
This program is designed for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience.
The minimum requirements are:
- One year of skilled work experience in Canada, and
- Language ability.
Please note: You are not eligible for CEC if you are seeking a refugee claim, working without authorization, or your work experience was gained without temporary resident status in Canada.
Provincial Nominee Program
This is designed for workers who have the skills, education, and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory. Given that each province or territory determines how one applies and is nominated, the PNP “streams” can vary widely. There are also frequent pilot programs that offer individuals skilled in certain sectors to receive provincial nomination. Importantly, a PNP nomination significantly increases your likelihood of being invited to apply for permanent residency.
Who can apply?
There are many potential Express Entry candidates. By design, an area of strength can overcome an area of weakness and balance out an applicant’s profile. That being said, those most suited to fit the program’s intent often have at least one university degree, some skilled work experience, and proficiency in English, French, or both.
Language Ability
Your language ability is a key factor in your application. To qualify, you need to be proficient in English, French, or both. If you are proficient in both, you can be awarded additional points.
IRCC currently accepts four language tests.
The two English exams are:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP).
The two French exams are:
- Test d’évaluation de français (TEF), and
- Test de connaissance du français (TCF).
Your performance will be assessed according to either the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC). Generally, the better the performance, the more points you are awarded in Express Entry.
Please note: Your language results are only valid for two years, and you must take a language exam even if your native language is English or French.
How are applicants selected?
Once you submit your Express Entry profile and join the pool, IRCC will periodically select individuals to apply for permanent residency based on their ranking. This is known as an “Express Entry draw.” On average, a draw occurs every two or three weeks. The draw number serves as a threshold point, where those with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores above are invited, and those below are not. Thus, the lower the draw number, the more people invited, and the better for all applicants. For example, if your CRS score is 451, you will only be invited to apply for permanent residency if the draw is 450 or below.
Once selected, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. You are then given a 60-day window to submit your application for permanent residency. Once submitted, IRCC begins processing your permanent residency file.
Please note: Your Express Entry profile is only valid for 12 months. If you are not invited to apply for permanent residency, you need to re-enter the pool.
How are CRS points calculated?
CRS points are based on your qualifications and the applicable factors of the program you select. The total of all your awarded points is your CRS score. Below is a breakdown of each factor and the current maximum number of CRS points an applicant can receive from IRCC.
| With Spouse/Partner | Without Spouse/Partner | |
| Applicant Factors | ||
| Age | 100 | 110 |
| Education | 140 | 150 |
| Official Language Proficiency | 32 | 34 |
| Second Official Language Proficiency | 6 | 6 |
| French and English Bonus | 50 | 50 |
| Canadian Work Experience | 70 | 80 |
| Spousal Factors | ||
| Education | 10 | – |
| Official Language Proficiency | 5 | – |
| Canadian Work Experience | 10 | – |
| Skills Transferability Factors | ||
| Education and Language | 50 | 50 |
| Education and Canadian Work Experience | 50 | 50 |
| Foreign Work Experience and Language | 50 | 50 |
| Foreign Work and Canadian Work Experience | 50 | 50 |
| Certificate of Qualification and Language | 50 | 50 |
| Provincial or Territorial Nomination | ||
| Provincial or Territorial Nominee Certificate | 600 | 600 |
| Offer of Employment | ||
| Offer of Employment from Canadian Company | 200 | 200 |
| Additional Points | ||
| Post-Secondary Education in Canada | 30 | 30 |
| Sibling Living in Canada | 15 | 15 |
Just as there is no perfect candidate, it is not uncommon for applicants to receive less than maximum points for each factor. So, instead of worrying that you may not have the maximum CRS points for a given factor, you should focus on ways to balance your profile. This will give you the best chance of being selected to apply for permanent residency. Let’s consider the factor of age. After 30 years old, an applicant no longer qualifies for maximum CRS points for that factor – with five points being deducted every year. So, a 40-year-old, married applicant will only receive 45 of the 100 CRS points for age. However, a reduction of age may result in a corresponding increase in education, work experience, or language – as it takes time to develop those factors. Keep in mind, often balance is the key.
How can I increase my CRS Score?
There are a few ways you may be able to increase your CRS score.
Did you score as high as you wanted to on your language exam?
You can retake any language exam as many times as you want to potentially increase your CRS score. Retaking exams will not negatively affect your profile.
Did you select the correct NOC code?
Some applicants only consider the title or duties of a NOC code and inadvertently select a lower TEER category than for which they qualify. This means your application may not be properly evaluated with the highest number of possible CRS points. While waiting to be selected, double-check that both the title and duties match your level of experience and skill, and that no other NOC code better suits you.
Do you have a Canadian job offer?
It can be difficult to receive outside of Canada, but it is possible. A valid job offer can boost your application by up to 200 points. If you have not started looking, perhaps consider sending out some application materials and see if you can get a job offer in your corresponding NOC TEER category.
Have you considered a one-year post-secondary degree or certificate?
A short educational program can pay dividends in raising your overall CRS score. You may also be able to gain some Canadian work experience while in Canada.
Are you proficient in French and English?
If you are proficient in both languages, even if not at the highest tier, it is a good idea to take both language exams to increase your score. For example, you can use the highest language score as your primary exam and the lower language score as your secondary. Together, you may be awarded additional points for proficiency in both languages.
Did you include your spouse?
Depending on your spouse’s qualifications, it may be beneficial to your application to include your spouse to immigrate with you to Canada.
Have you considered making your spouse the principal applicant? If your spouse has better education, work experience, language abilities, or is younger than you, consider calculating both CRS scores separately and comparing them. In some cases, making your spouse the principal applicant can improve your overall candidacy.
Trends in the Express Entry draws?
The Express Entry draws can be program specific, such as PNP, FSW, FST, or CEC, or it can be “No Program Specified.” Depending on which program you apply under, it will determine which is relevant for you. Having said that, if you are not applying under PNP, do not be discouraged if PNP draws tend to be higher. PNP draws are often 700 CRS points or more because qualifying candidates are awarded 600 points for their nomination, on top of their underlying CRS score. For this reason, non-PNP applicants with CRS scores over 500 points are generally considered to be competitive applications.
Can I calculate my own CRS Score?
If you would like to calculate your own score, click here.
How much does it cost to apply for Express Entry?
There are no government fees to submit your Express Entry profile. Once invited, several fees apply.
Some fees include:
- Principal Application – $1,365*
- Application for Spouse or Partner – $1,365*
- To Include a Dependent Child – $230*
*Fees current as of January 11, 2024.
Please note: In addition to IRCC processing fees, you may also have to pay provincial immigration fees if you apply through a PNP.
Need additional help?
At Nova Terra Law, we are ready and experienced to help you with your immigration needs. We routinely handle applications for permanent residency through Express Entry.
Disclaimer:
This written article is solely for informational purposes. It is not legal advice and does not make any guarantees or conclusions. Each case is examined individually. Please contact our office for additional information and tailored legal advice.