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:
- the Federal Skilled Worker Program,
- the Federal Skilled Trades Program,
- the Canadian Experience Class, and
- A portion of Provincial Nominee Programs
How Express Entry Works
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
Summary of maximum points per factor for Express Entry candidates
| 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 |
| 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)
| 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
| 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
Points breakdown, section by section
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.
Do i need to assess my education before applying to express entry?
Yes.
hi Team,
i have been contacted by nova scotia province oct 2016 and they were in process to assess my application but they say my ielts is going to be expired in less than a month and requested me to enroll in the soonest test available and send us a proof of registration to the test or else they are going to refuse my application. i did and registered for the soonest test available on 19th Nov 2016 and sent them the proof and all were fine.
after 2 weeks the same agent sent us email saying your application is refused because the Ilets is expired.
note: my new score in ilets is 7.5 and iam accepted in the express entry.
can we do an appeal based on what happened and ilets is now valid? or any other way available?
i really appreciate your input
regards,
Esraa Mustafa
Yes. You should contact them with an explanation letter and proof of what they told you and request to re-instate your application.
Hi,
I am an Indian, with bacholers in commerce and a certificate and masters degree in interior design with 6 years experience in Interior design. I along with my husband would like to apply for migration. My husband is an engineer with MBA degree but work experience is as Sales engineer, which is why I have decided to become the principle applicant. I would like to know if our application looks viable/has a good chance of getting accepted.
Also would my spouse education certificate need to have ECA as well to claim points under Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Thank you
Hello CIC immigration team,
Could you please let me know if i can apply for express entry with given below bands.
L -7
R- 6
s – 6.5
w- 5.5
overall 6.5
Please reply as soon as possibe, i really need to know.
Thankyou in advance.
You need a minimum of 6.0 in IELTS. This is one of the requirements.
Dearest CIC Immigration Team,
I´m trying to figure out at which point I can start working during my Express Entry application? Do I have to wait for the Permanent residency decision or can I start working earlier in the process. I´m currently in the application pool, with the total score of 445.
Best regards, Saara
Working in Canada? You cannot work in Canada unless you have a valid work permit.
Dear CICS Immigration Team,
I recently cleared my IELTS exams with R:5, L:6, S:7 & W:7. Overall 6.5.
With this do I qualify for the ‘Express Entry’?
My profession is under NOC 4112 with experience more than 3 years and I am single as well. Could you kindly recommend for which province should I try for and under which Immigration Process?
Also if CICS assist individuals like me than where can I reach you ?
Looking forward to your prompt response.
Thank you.
Riz
No. Because you need a minimum of 6.0 to qualify for federal skilled worker, which is the first step to get into express entry.
Hi I am 36 years of age and scored L-7 R-7.5 W-6.5 S-7, and have more than 4 years of experience in IT department at A Class bank in Nepal. According to ECA they have awarded my degree as more than 3 years bachelor. my wife has secure L-7 R-6 W-6 S-6 and se has not done her academic credentials.what are my chances for Canadian PR.
what’s the minimum CLB level a secondary applicant? My wife had 6, 5.5, 5.5 and 6. Thanks
Need Help!!!!
My IELTS is scheduled to expire on 20th Feb 2017 which would result into deactivating Express Entry profile for the third time in the past two years.
Does IELTS expiring means one’s English Ability (Speaking/Listening/Reading/Writing/ expire too??
I’m 37 years old with 15 years experience but I guess CIC/Canada is looking for young candidates.
Please guide me on what should I do further?
Regards
Hiten
hello sir
how many minimum band i need to migrate to canada through fedral skilled worker programme ?
waiting for reply
thanks
ashish bhanwala
Me and my spouse are in Canada. I am on a dependent open work permit and have secured a job in Canada.
Can I be the primary applicant while applying for PR instead of my spouse.
Yes.
Hi,
I am a B.tech graduate with in EEE but have 9 years of experience in US Recruitment working from India. My age is 33 years. I got band of 7 in IELTS R-6.5, W-6.5, L-6.5, S-7.5. I’m planning to do 1 year MBA course to get more points in CRS. I have seen that last draw saw around 450 CRS score get ITA. My wife is 12th pass. Also planning to get 1 years Bachelors correspondence course to get more points with her
What are the chances I can get an ITA with these criteria?
Your suggestion would be valuable for me to decide whether to apply or not
sir,
my IELTS report is
Listening – 6
Speaking – 6
Reading – 7
Writing – 6
I have 10 years experience in teaching mathematics.
I took the IELTS test for Academic Module. But some people are saying to take General Module .
Please suggest me which one i have to take to get a job and PR in express entry .
Waiting for your reply
Thanking you sir
Hello CICS team,
Am a B.E holder.was working with a consultancy 3 years back n have 1.5 years experience.
My ielts score
R 7
L 6
W 7
S 6.5
Overall 6.5
Do I stand any chance to immigrate?
Kindly reply.thanks in advance.
You may be eligible, but not enough information is given. Please fill out the free assessment.
Respected please tell me that can m eligible for fswp. Currently m employed in nationalized Indian bank from past three years and my ielts score is istening:7,reading:7.5,speaking:6.5, writing:7bands.Please clearify me that whether m eligible for above said or not.
Dear sir, will my application be rejected under the express entry if my age is above 38?
No. It’s about meeting the minimum requirement of Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades or Canadian Experience.
Is there any news for implementing of new rules on getting citizenship ( returning stay in Canada from 4 years to 3 years,
Regards
Mohsen Foroughi
Please I need answers to my question above
Dear CICS Immigration Team,
I would like to know if it is possible to apply for express entry using TEFAQ?
Note that I planned to immigrate to Quebec via QSW, and this is why I did the tefaq test.
Now I want to move in Ontario via express entry and I want to know if this is feasible?
Thanks,
Only TEF: Test d’évaluation de français is accepted.
Respected CICS Team,
I want to know can I apply for Quebec Skilled worker Visa with overall IELTS GT band score =6.0, L=6.0, R=5.0, W=5.5, S=6.5.
Another thing, Is PNP/State Nomination required each module 6.0 band or my above given score can be valid for some states under PNP?
Can I change my application for federal express entry if i will get each module 6.0 band score later after applying for PNP or Quebec Skilled worker visa?
Your assistance is duly appreciated. Please reply
Hello,
How many months does it take CIC reply to determine if one is eligible or not after submitting application
Hello Sir,
I have 10 years of experience as a software engineer, i have got following IETS score:
R- 6
L -5.5
W- 6
S- 7
Can I apply for Canadian PR?
Thanks!
S P Singh
i got 6 each in ilets can i apply for pr canada…i have 5years work experience
thank u
I have very good IELTS score but one Bachelors degree. I also have Certifications such as Oracle Certified Database Administrator from Oracle University. (3 Months Program). Does it qualify as a Second degree/Certificate. WES refused to assess it that it is a trade certificate.
Hi
Following are my scores and i have close to 11 years of experience.Do i stand a chance in the Express entry pool and have an opportunity to seek the PR Visa and eligible for getting a job as well. Kindly help me.
Listening: 7.5
Reading: 7.5
Writing: 6.0
Speaking: 7.0
Overall: 7.0
Regards
Hi there,
I have a query. I am an Australian Permanent Resident. Want to move to Canada for good. Got 6 Bands each in Ielts and 2 n half years of experience as a Restaurant Manager. Having Post Graduate degree from India. Am i eligibile for Express Entry program with this experience ? Hope to hear from you soon. Thank you.
Hello there,
I would like to know if I can submit my profile for EE with my current CELPIP test results now, and then have my results reevaluated, and once received, I could update the score in my EE profile? Or do I have to wait for the reevaluation results to submit the profile to the pool?
Thanks!
Hi, I completed my french exam: TEFAQ. Can i use the result as my primary language to apply for Canada Express Entry – All provinces and states?
Dear CICS Team,
I would like to immigrate to Canada via Express Entry. I am a dentist here in the Philippines for 15 years. I satisfactorily meet all of the requirements except for the proof of work experience because I have failed to pay any SSS contribution. I would like to know if there is an alternative way to prove my educational background/work experience?
Thanks,
Isabella
I have completed my PhD in India. i want to increase more points for Express entry. If I take online course ? Shall it be include as Canadian education. Will I get points for this in express entry.