Express Entry
Fast-Track Your Pathway to Permanent Residency
The Express Entry system is the fastest and most popular pathway for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada and apply for Permanent Residency (PR). Managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), this system uses a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS score) to select the most qualified candidates.
If you are looking to apply for Canada PR through Express Entry, you must qualify under one of the following Categories:
1. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The CEC is for individuals who already have Canadian skilled work experience and want to transition to permanent residency.
Basic Requirements include:
Best for: Temporary foreign workers and international graduates with Canadian work experience.
2. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
This program is for individuals with skilled work experience outside Canada who want to settle permanently.
Basic requirements include:
Best for: Professionals, managers, and skilled workers with international work experience.
3. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
This category is for tradespeople who want to become permanent residents of Canada.
Requirements include:
Best for: Electricians, plumbers, welders, mechanics, and other certified trades.
4. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) – Linked with Express Entry
Several Canadian provinces (Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, etc.) have their own PNP streams linked with Express Entry. If you receive a provincial nomination, you get 600 additional CRS points, which guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canada PR.
How to Apply for Express Entry Canada:
Applying for Express Entry Canada is a step-by-step process managed by IRCC. Here’s how it works:
1. Check Your Eligibility
First, determine if you qualify under one of the three programs: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades (FST), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Eligibility is based on factors like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
2. Create an Express Entry Profile
Once eligible, create your Express Entry online profile on the official IRCC portal. You’ll need to provide details such as your education, work history, language test results (IELTS/CELPIP/PTE Core).
3. Enter the Express Entry Pool
Your profile is placed in the Express Entry pool, where it is ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Your CRS score will determine your position in the pool.
4. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
IRCC conducts regular Express Entry draws. Candidates with the highest CRS scores—or those targeted through category-based draws—receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canada Permanent Residency.
5. Submit Your PR Application
After receiving an ITA, you have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residency application with supporting documents, including medical exams, police certificates, and proof of funds.
6. Wait for Application Processing
Once submitted, most Express Entry PR applications are processed within six months or less, making it one of the fastest pathways to immigrate to Canada.
Express Entry Canada Requirements:
To apply for Express Entry Canada, you must provide the following:
Best for: Temporary foreign workers and international graduates with Canadian work experience.
Targeted Express Entry Draws:
Targeted Express Entry draws give preference to candidates with specific occupations, skills, or qualifications that meet Canada’s labour market needs. These draws focus on high-demand sectors such as Healthcare, Skilled Trades and IT, helping Canada address labour shortages efficiently. Candidates selected through these draws can increase their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canada Permanent Residency (PR).
How Westland Immigration Can Help:
Navigating the Express Entry Canada process can be complex, but Westland Immigration offers professional guidance to ensure a smooth and successful application. Our experienced Canada immigration consultants help you create and submit your Express Entry profile, verify all documents, and make sure your application is complete, accurate, and optimized for the highest CRS score.
FAQs
Key documents include: passport, language test results, ECA report, work experience letters, proof of funds, medical exam, police clearance, and other supporting documents.
Ways to improve your CRS score include: achieving higher IELTS or CELPIP or PTE Core results, getting a Provincial Nomination (PNP), securing a valid job offer, gaining more work experience, or pursuing higher education.
There is no fixed minimum CRS score required to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) under Canada’s Express Entry system. The required CRS cutoff changes with each draw, depending on IRCC’s invitation goals and applicant profiles
Express Entry is a federal system, while PNP allows provinces to nominate candidates. A PNP nomination adds 600 CRS points, almost guaranteeing an ITA under Express Entry.
Most Express Entry Canada PR applications are processed within 6 months after receiving an ITA, provided you submit all required documents correctly.
Yes, you can apply without a job offer.
You may qualify if you meet the requirements for one of the three programs: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades (FST), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Eligibility depends on factors like age, work experience, education, and language skills.
Express Entry is an online immigration system that manages applications for Canada Permanent Residency (PR). Candidates are ranked using a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS score), and the highest-scoring applicants receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR.