Express Entry

Canada is changing its economic immigration programs to give more opportunities to prospective skilled immigrants. Starting January 2015, skilled foreign workers will have access to Express Entry, which will cover Canada’s key economic immigration programs:

Candidates who are invited to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry system will benefit from fast processing times of six months or less.Express Entry will also provide a pathway for skilled workers to connect with potential job opportunities in Canada prior to arrival.Express Entry will ensure that the candidates who are most likely to succeed economically – not simply those first in line – are able to immigrate to Canada.

How Express Entry Works

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Step 1

Potential candidates create an online Express Entry profile

Express your interest in coming to Canada as a skilled foreign worker. Starting in January 2015, create an online Express Entry profile and tell us about your skills, work experience, language ability, education and other details.

Before doing this, you will need to take a language test in English or French. If you were educated outside of Canada, you may also need to have your education assessed against Canadian standards. More information on language and education assessments is available online.

If you meet the criteria of one of the federal economic immigration programs subject to Express Entry, you will be placed in a pool of pre-screened candidates.

If you do not already have a Canadian job offer or a nomination from a province/territory, you must register with the Government of Canada’s Job Bank. Job Bank is an easy, online search tool that will help you get matched with jobs in Canada based on your skills, knowledge and experience.

Express Entry Pool

You will be given a score to determine your place in the Express Entry pool using a Comprehensive Ranking System that includes factors known to contribute to economic success (such as language, education, and work experience).

There will be regular draws of candidates from the Express Entry pool, inviting them to apply for permanent residence. Candidates with the highest scores, including those who have a valid job offer or a provincial/territorial nomination, will be invited to apply.

Your Express Entry profile will be valid for 12 months. During that time, you will need to update your profile if circumstances change, such as your level of education or language test results.

Important: Filling out an online Express Entry profile is not a guarantee that you will qualify for permanent residence. If you are invited to apply for permanent residence, information provided in your Express Entry profile will be verified at that time.

Step 2

Selected candidates are invited to submit an electronic application for permanent residence

You will receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence if you:

  • have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada (subject to the Labour Market Impact Assessment process in place at that time);
  • have been nominated by a province or territory; or
  • are among the top ranked in the pool based on your skills and experience.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada will process the majority of complete permanent residence applications received within six months or less.

Candidates in the Express Entry pool who do not receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence after 12 months can resubmit their profile and re-enter the pool if they still meet the criteria.

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Criteria – Express Entry

A. Core / human capital factors

Factors Points per factor – With a spouse or common-law partner Points per factor – Without a spouse or common-law partner
Age 100 110
Level of education 140 150
Official languages proficiency 150 160
Canadian work experience 70 80

B. Spouse or common-law partner factors

Factors Points per factor
(Maximum 40 points)
Level of education 10
Official language proficiency 20
Canadian Work Experience 10

A. Core/human capital + B. Spouse or common-law partner factors = Maximum 500 points (with OR without a spouse or common-law partner)

C. Skill Transferability factors (Maximum 100 points)

Education Points per factor
(Maximum 50 points)
With good/strong official languages proficiency and a post-secondary degree 50
With Canadian work experience and a post-secondary degree 50
Foreign work experience Points per factor
(Maximum 50 points)
With good/strong official languages proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark [CLB] level 7 or higher) and foreign work experience 50
With Canadian work experience and foreign work experience 50
Certificate of qualification (for people in trade occupations) Points per factor
(Maximum 50 points)
With good/strong official languages proficiency and a certificate of qualification 50

A. Core/human capital + B. Spouse or common-law partner + C. Transferability factors = Maximum 600 points

D. Additional points (Maximum 600 points)

Factor Points per factor
Post-secondary education in Canada 30
Arranged employment 200
PN nomination 600

A. Core/human capital + B. Spouse or common-law partner factors + C. Transferability factors + D. Additional points = Grand total – Maximum 1,200 points

CRS – A. Core / human capital factors

  • With a spouse or common-law partner: Maximum 460 points total for all factors.
  • Without a spouse or common-law partner: Maximum 500 points total for all factors.
Age With a spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 100 points)
Without a spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 110 points)
17 years of age or less 0 0
18 years of age 90 99
19 years of age 95 105
20 to 29 years of age 100 110
30 years of age 95 105
31 years of age 90 99
32 years of age 85 94
33 years of age 80 88
34 years of age 75 83
35 years of age 70 77
36 years of age 65 72
37 years of age 60 66
38 years of age 55 61
39 years of age 50 55
40 years of age 45 50
41 years of age 35 39
42 years of age 25 28
43 years of age 15 17
44 years of age 5 6
45 years of age or more 0 0
Level of Education With a spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 140 points)
Without a spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 150 points)
Less than secondary school (high school) 0 0
Secondary diploma (high school graduation) 28 30
One-year degree, diploma or certificate from  a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute 84 90
Two-year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute 91 98
Bachelor’s degree OR  a three or more year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute 112 120
Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees. One must be for a program of three or more years 119 128
Master’s degree, OR professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession (For “professional degree,” the degree program must have been in: medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine, or pharmacy.) 126 135
Doctoral level university degree (Ph.D.) 140 150

Official languages proficiency – first official language

Maximum points for each ability (reading, writing, speaking and listening):

  • 32 with a spouse or common-law partner
  • 34 without a spouse or common-law partner
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per ability With a spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 128 points)
Without a spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 136 points)
Less than CLB 4 0 0
CLB 4 or 5 6 6
CLB 6 8 9
CLB 7 16 17
CLB 8 22 23
CLB 9 29 31
CLB 10 or more 32 34

Official languages proficiency – second official language

Maximum points for each ability (reading, writing, speaking and listening):

  • 6 with a spouse or common-law partner (up to a combined maximum of 22 points)
  • 6 without a spouse or common-law partner (up to a combined maximum of 24 points)
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per ability With a spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 22 points)
Without a spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 24 points)
CLB 4 or less 0 0
CLB 5 or 6 1 1
CLB 7 or 8 3 3
CLB 9 or more 6 6
Canadian work experience With a spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 70 points)
Without a spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 80 points)
None or less than a year 0 0
1 year 35 40
2 years 46 53
3 years 56 64
4 years 63 72
5 years or more 70 80

Subtotal: A. Core / human capital factors

  • With a spouse or common-law partner – Maximum 460 points
  • Without a spouse or common-law partner – Maximum 500 points

CRS – B. Spouse or common-law partner factors (if applicable)

Spouse’s or common-law partner’s level of education With spouse or common-law partner
(Maximum 10 points)
Without spouse or common-law partner
(Does not apply)
Less than secondary school (high school) 0 n/a
Secondary school (high school graduation) 2 n/a
One-year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute 6 n/a
Two-year program at a university, college, trade or technical in school, or other institute 7 n/a
Bachelor’s degree OR  a three or more year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute 8 n/a
Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees. One must be for a program of three or more years 9 n/a
Master’s degree, or professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession (For “professional degree”, the degree program must have been in: medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, law, chiropractic medicine, or pharmacy.) 10 n/a
Doctoral level university degree (PhD) 10 n/a

Note: (n/a) means that this factor does not apply in this case.

Spouse’s or common-law partner’s official languages proficiency – first official language

Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per ability (reading, writing, speaking and listening ) Maximum 20 points for section
Maximum 5 points per ability
Without spouse or common-law partner
(Does not apply)
CLB 4 or less 0 n/a
CLB 5 or 6 1 n/a
CLB 7 or 8 3 n/a
CLB 9 or more 5 n/a

Note: (n/a) means that this factor does not apply in this case.

Spouse’s Canadian work experience Maximum 10 points Without spouse or common-law partner
(Does not apply)
None or less than a year 0 n/a
1 year 5 n/a
2 years 7 n/a
3 years 8 n/a
4 years 9 n/a
5 years or more 10 n/a

Note: (n/a) means that this factor does not apply in this case.

Subtotal : A. Core / human capital + B. Spouse or common-law partner factors = Maximum 500 points

CRS – C. Skill transferability factors (Maximum 100 points for this section)

Education

With good official language proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark Level [CLB] 7 or higher) and a post-secondary degree Points for CLB 7 or more on all first official language abilities, with one or more under CLB 9
(Maximum 25 points)
Points for CLB 9 or more on all four first official language abilities
(Maximum 50 points)
Secondary school (high school) credential or less 0 0
Post-secondary program credential of one year or longer 13 25
Two or more post-secondary program credentials AND at least one of these credentials was issued on completion of a post-secondary program of three years or longer 25 50
With Canadian work experience and a post-secondary degree Points for education + 1 year of Canadian work experience
(Maximum 25 points)
Points for education + 2 years or more of Canadian work experience
(Maximum 50 points)
Secondary school (high school) credential or less 0 0
Post-secondary program credential of one year or longer 13 25
Two or more post-secondary program credentials AND at least one of these credentials was issued on completion of a post-secondary program of three years or longer 25 50

Foreign work experience – With good official language proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark Level [CLB] 7 or higher)

Years of experience Points for foreign work experience + CLB 7 or more on all first official language abilities, one or more under 9
(Maximum 25 points)
Points for foreign work experience + CLB 9 or more on all four first official language abilities
(Maximum 50 points)
No foreign work experience 0 0
1 or 2 years of foreign work experience 13 25
3 years or more of foreign work experience 25 50

Foreign work experience – With Canadian work experience

Years of experience Points for foreign work experience + 1 year of Canadian work experience
(Maximum 25 points)
Points for foreign work experience + 2 years or more of Canadian work experience
(Maximum 50 points)
No foreign work experience 0 0
1 or 2 years of foreign work experience 13 25
3 years or more of foreign work experience 25 50
Certificate of qualification (trade occupations) – With good official language proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark Level [CLB] 5 or higher) Points for certificate of qualification + CLB 5 or more on all first official language abilities, one or more under 7
(Maximum 25 points)
Points for certificate of qualification + CLB 7 or more on all four first official language abilities
(Maximum 50 points)
With a certificate of qualification 25 50

Subtotal: A. Core / human capital + B. Spouse or common-law partner + C. Skill transferability factors – Maximum 600 points

CRS – D. Additional points (Maximum 600 points)

Additional points Maximum 600 points
Brother or sister living in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada 15
Scored NCLC 7 or higher on all four French language skills and scored CLB 4 or lower in English (or didn’t take an English test) 15
Scored NCLC 7 or higher on all four French language skills and scored CLB 5 or higher on all four English skills 30
Post-secondary education in  Canada – credential of one or two years 15
Post-secondary education in  Canada – credential three years or longer 30
Arranged employment – NOC 00 200
Arranged employment – any other NOC 0, A or B 50
Provincial or territorial nomination 600

Subtotal: D. Additional points – Maximum 600 points

Grand total: A. Core / human capital + B. Spouse or common-law partner + C. Skill transferability factors + D. Additional points = Maximum 1,200 points

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One of our licensed immigration consultants can speak with you in person, online or on the phone about your unique immigration situation and give you a breakdown of your options.
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862 thoughts on “Express Entry

    • hi sir,
      i m b,sc nursing.i have one year expireance.i m doing her job in hospitel.i m married.My IELTS score R6. W6. L7. S7
      Ovelall 6.5, Can i apply to canada express entry visa
      Pls guide me sir

        • You need to qualify for FSW first, and that requires a minimum of 6.0 in each ability. Therefore, it’s not enough.

          • Hi,
            I am currently working as a server in one of the restaurant in calgary. I am just under unskilled category for 1 year and 3 months till now. But i do have a managerial experience for 3 years back in Singapore and by the way I am a Filipino. I have 8 years in total in this same filed.
            I took CELPIP General english test. My Score was: Lestining 8 Speaking 7; Reading and Writting 6.Do I qualify for Federal Skilled Program? i hope you can answer my quistion. I just submitted my AINP application but in this program it take so long to process.

          • What are possibilities for following score
            R-5
            W-5.5
            L-6
            S-6.5
            Overall =5.5 Band
            but i have job offer from employer in Canada
            I Have 15 years of work experience and i’m an interior designer
            please advise

          • Hi Team,
            My score is below. what can i expect.

            Listening: 6.5
            Reading: 5.5
            Writing: 6.5
            Speaking: 7.0
            Overall: 6.5

        • Sir,I want to know that i have 4years experience in school teaching..will it be considered valid to get a job offer or making me illegible candidate to get PR in canada through express entry

      • I am working as a Process Trainer in a Banking offshore site in India. I want to confirm 2 things n order for me to apply do i need to get the wes assessment done for my wife as well. Will it add to the changes of succeeding. Does the occupation need to be on noc list and do you require any sort of printed proof of job requirement from the company if yes at which stage

      • Hi,

        Can I submit two IELTS results to proof my English proficiency Or it has to be 7 CLB in all section on the same score card.

        Result-1

        Listing- above 7 CLB
        Reading – 6 CLB (* Required 7 CLB)
        Writing – above 7 CLB
        Speaking- above 7 CLB

        Result-2

        Listing- 6 CLB (* Required 7 CLB)
        Reading – 7 CLB
        Writing – 7 CLB
        Speaking- 7 CLB

        Thank you

  1. Dear Sir,
    I was a student in Canada and now I am working fulltime on my PG work permit. Mony work permit is about to expire and I am waiting for the nomination of Alberta Government. Can u help me out regarding that

  2. dear sir/madam my status in here canada is temporary foreign worker .i am just 8 months yet in here country as food counter attendant.i am willing to get an job offer in bc.my education secondary +professional diploma in area i trade my work,job experience more than 9 years my ilets total points are 4.5 band in total.. am i eligible to apply permanent residence under express entry program

    • Express Entry is a ranking system. So if you qualify for one of the main economic programs, then you can input your profile under Express Entry. After that, it’s about how you rank against other applicants.

      If you need more information, contact our office to set up an appointment to speak to one of our consultants.

      • Hello l need help.l have tried to create a profile for express entry but it comes out ineligible.l have two and half work experience from back home in accounting.l assessed my education with WES and am currently on PGWP and working in canada.l have my elts overall score is 6. l have education in canada too for one year. How dp l meet the consultants

        • pls u just mention ur individual IELTS score instead of overall score . anyway, u must get 6 in each module. at first u have to eligible for FSW then u can able to go into the express entry.

  3. Dear sir or Mam.
    I am live In Bangladesh…
    I want to come in Canada..
    How can i get this oppurtunity as new system work permit in canada January 2015..
    Please help me…

  4. i am a homoeopath from India, I would like to apply for PR Visa Of canada.i would like to know what are the chances of a homoeopath getting a PR visa.My qualification is BHMS.

  5. dear sir,

    I got 5.5 IELTS band L:6 R:5.5: W:5 S:5.
    I have 4 year of Prof Exp with ECA Master level in canada can I apply for express entry for PR.

    • I am a spouse of a principal applicant for Canadian Express entry, My scores are Speaking- 8, Listening- 5.5, Writing-6, Reading-6. Kindly advice if I should rewrite the ielts test, or submit the result for the online profile.

      • Sir, i got ovrall bands 6 in ielts not each module but hve a job offer letter and hve a 2 and a half teaching experuence can i apply for express entry fir canada

  6. Hello.. Ihave bachelor’s in electrical engineering and did diploma in electrical engineering… I am from India… I have 3+ years of experience in teaching in the university… M I eligible?

    • I ve the same !!
      Can someone from CICS Immigration Team show their interest to Answer our Query !!
      B’cos we heard from somewhere tht less than 5 or 5.5 bands in reading can OK for PR.
      waiting for ur response, Dear.

      • Hi. I scored R 7.5, W 7.5, S7, L7, overall 7.5 in IELTS. A masters degree holder with 9 years banking experience. 33 years old single female. Is it possible to process express entry?

    • no. Sorry. u r not eligible. You need at least 6.0 in each/individual module in order to qualify under Express Entry ——–Federal Skilled Worker. pls participate again for increase ur IELTS score.

      • Hi Suman,

        IELTS SCORE :
        LISTNING – 5.5
        WRITING – 6
        READING – 5.5
        SPEAKING – 6
        Overall 6.0
        Is it applicable for Saskatchwan Express Entry Program?

  7. I will apply to the program with english as first language (IELTS: R=9.0, L=8.0, S=7.0, W=6.5).

    I would like to include French as second language (currengly I have DELF B2 diploma), but I have not yet done the TEF, I will do it in February.

    Can I entry and submit my express entry profile with only the IELTS and later include the results of the TEF (in order to get the second language points)? Would be possible to do this kind of update?

  8. Hi,

    I filled my information in “come to canada” eligibility tool and it says I am eligible.

    I have IELTS band that are following L-7.5, R-7, W-6, S-5.5.

    I have selected my province as Alberta.

    Now I have the key generated and I can proceed for Entry profile. I am confused if 6 band is must how it shows I am eleigible ?

    • This could be because of different reasons; Experience in Canada or experience under certain occupations accepted under the Alberta program.

      • I have a master degree in business administration , with 9 years of work experience my ielts score is L-7, R-6
        5 , s-5.5, W-5.5 ,over all 6 bends, is it fare score for express entry.

      • Hi, currently I’m working in Canada as a restaurant manager for more then 2 years under my PGWP and my IELTS scores overall band 6.0 (L=6, R=5, W=6,5 and S=6,5) also I took Celpip test too and my scores S=6, W=7,L=7, R=6 .. My question is am I eligible to apply Canada permanent Resident? Under CEC program?

  9. Hi Team,

    I have 5 years of experience in IT my IELTS scores are : R:7, W:6,L:7.5, S:6.

    Qualification : MBA

    I’m I eligible for applying Canada PR..???

    RAL

  10. I have 6BAND L;5.5W,5.5R,5S TOTAL5.5AND 1YEAR 9MONTH EXPERIENCE IN TEACHING CAN I APPLY FOR EXPRESS ENTRY CANDA PLZ REPLY

    • you need to meet the requirement of one of the economic programs, such as federal skilled worker in order to apply through express entry. federal skilled worker program requires that you have 6.0 in all abilities. so the answer is no.

  11. Hi there! Should I register for the “TEF” or “TEF Canada” exam? The Government of Canada Website reads ““You must submit results from these TEF tests as proof of your French language skills: 1. compréhension de l’écrit, 2. compréhension de l’orale, 3. expression écrite, 4. expression orale.” (Four sections). However the TEF provides results broken down by “Epreuves QCM, Expression écrite, expression orale” where Epreuves QCM consists of “Comprehension écrite + Compréhension orale + Lexique/Structure” (Five sections). Merci en avance!

    • Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF) (in French)
      Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEFAQ) (in French) or TEF pour la naturalisation – a two-skills (listening and speaking) version of the TEF

  12. Hi CICS Immigration Team,
    I have a multiple IELTS score like 1) R7, L7.5,S7.5,W5.5 and another 2) R5.5,L7.5,S6.5,W6, can I submit both the result to show my English ability in first OL is 6 or more in each ability.
    Please advise because this is happening with most of the people and we are confused.
    If this not ok then please come up with an idea to use the multiple IELTS result.

      • Dear Team

        My ielts score is 8 but i want to increase it and am planning to give the test again. I have one query that if by any chance this time my score comes out to be 7 so which ielts score will be valid and can i put my old score only in the express entry.

        Please guide.

  13. Why do you accept only IELTS for language ability. In india its looks like IDP is done ng good business out of it..faling the candidate deliberately in any section so they can take the test multiple time ..what a shame.

    • hi raj,

      I feel from my experience that IDP is doing intentionally for business.
      please try in british council, more reliable than IDP.

      I don’t advise IDP for ielts to any one.

      • well it does not bother with the council even the british council is same because i have written ielts general nearly 7 times and i was literally getting 6 overall but not getting individual either in writing or reading getting 5.5 remaining sections listening 7, speaking 6.

        Once i kept for recounting it took 8 weeks but no improvement at least in one section.

        i was just fed up with this council.

  14. Hi ,
    I have a four year Bachelor’s degree in Comp. Science and been working as an Elementary School Teacher for almost nine years.
    My IELTS score is L-8,R-7.5,W-7,S-7.5. Do I qualify for NOC4214? I would like to confirm as my educational background is different.
    Can you plz shed me some ideas?

    Regards
    J. Islam

  15. I want to aply for express entry level, i m a msc in plastics and 13 years of exeperince.
    Should i apply and if my wife gv ielts than her band also consider or not?
    Please guide me

  16. Hi,

    I am an ships engineer, sailed on board ship 14 years and working on shore as a technical superintendent last 7 years. I have professional certificate and Masters degree in Maritime studies from Nayang Technological University, Singapore. I am Singaporean by national and 45 years old. I know my age is a issue. Please advise the possibility.

  17. I am a Bsc. Graduate on computers . 29 years old . got 8 years of work experience . IELTS – Listening : 7 , Speaking 6.5 , writing and reading as 6 . But when i try in come to canada link it says i am not eligible . If i create an express entry profile will i get an invite and will i get a job through canada job bank

  18. #language proficiency

    Having a recent Master degree taught in English + previous TOEFL certificate, could this qualify me to apply for a permanent residency in Entry express?
    Having work contract or university admission, does it make any terms of difference in eligibility?

  19. Pingback: 779 candidates have been selected under the Express Entry

  20. Pingback: 779 candidates have been selected under the Express Entry system | CICS News – Canada's immigration news source

  21. Hello, i am diploma nurse with having 3yrs and 5months exprience. I have done ielts academic in which the score are like R-5.5, L-6,W-6, S-6, overall 6 band. So just wanted to know am i eligible to apply for express entry profile?

  22. Dear sir
    i am assistant logistic manager in an export house. I have done post grutuation in interational business operation and also done logistic management diploma.
    i hv 16 Years experience in this field and also got overall 6 bands in ielts test. Am i Eligible to get express entry system. Pl reply

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