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.
Hello,
My IELTS scores just expired, and I’ve already booked to retake the CELPIP. However my express entry ITA is due in few days. Can I send in my application with a confirmation of booking, and send in results within 3 days of application?
Thanks
What If I get band score 6 in Ielts. And do not have a current job. But have 3 years of customer service experience .
Do I qualify to apply for express entry application?
Hi
My wife is Primary Applicant with valid IELTS and we have got an ITA ,our score is 459 and we got ITA in 415 draw, my IELTS expired on 30th April 2017.
As secondary applicant do I need to apply for IELTS or will my wife IELTS be sufficient even if we can deduct my 10 CRS points from 459 we will still have 449.
Please suggest if anyone have experienced or any comments.
Thanks
Dear Team,
I’ve done MBA in my home country(Pakistan) and working as a Lecturer in a state university. As per W.E.S equivalency my credentials are equivalent to Canadian Bachelor’s degree (three years) and Bachelor’s degree (four years). My NOC for Express Entry is 4011 for which education requirement for Lecturer is Masters in relevant field, am i eligible to apply under express entry for this NOC with this educational equivalency or not??
Hello,
Me and my spouse would like to apply for express entry. We are eligible. Before I start my application, I have my IELTS score and have completed my ECA. My spouse has her IELTS score however, she is still waiting to complete her ECA. Can I start my application and then add her ECA in a month’s time? Or is it recommended to have it before I start the application? I would really appreciate a response
sincerely,
Nilan
Yes. Her ECA can be added if she is not the principal applicant.
Hello,
We have applied for PR. My husband is a primary applicant with ielts score 7 and I have band 6.5.
We both are postgraduate with 5 years experience. Age is 29.
Total score now varies from 388-415.
Please let me know the chances of getting the PR by this Aug.
Also do I give my ielts again to get a better score. I had 6.5,6,6,7 overall 6.5.
PR by August? No.
Dear CICS Immigration Team,
I recently cleared my IELTS exams with R:6.5, L:6.5, S:7 & W:7.
With this do I qualify for the ‘Express Entry’?
My profession is not the same of my study. But i am working in same professions from last more then 10 years and have done masters in physics from India . could you please guide me the exact process to move ahead. My wife and me both are the post graduate degree holder and are in process for ECA through WES . My wife is having experience of one year in teaching and having age 27 at present and in my case age is 32 and experience is 10.5 years . SO kindly guide me to whom should we considered as a primary applicant me or my wife ?
Looking forward to your prompt response.
Thank you.
Varun
Hi
I got the ITA from express entry, I have finished my masters (2 years) in Canada, have 1.5 work experience, but my undergrad is from Iran. should I asses my undergrad with WES?
Hello.i m a iranian nurse.40yr i m a woman.10yr experience in my job.i m take caring to a 90yr mom.havnt any ielts degree and paper.but i can speak english well.i live and work in turky now how you can help me to find a job in canada and work there????
Hi, I scored in IETLS folllowing
LRW – 6.0 each
Speaking: 6.5
Is it enough to apply for express entry pr in Canada?
Please, answer I am getting confuse since cic.gc.ca shows kind of positive.
Thanks
Lucky
Dear Sir/Ma’am,
What IELTS Band score required for Canada PR express entry visa. ?
I have 6 years work experience & I am working as a interior designer.
Also i completed graduation from Delhi university.
Hello,
My application for permanent residence in Canada was submitted last July 07, 2017, however my wife’s language test will expire this 1st week of Sept., 2017. Is it required to renew her test?
Your kind response is highly appreciated.
Regards,
Mark
As long as it doesn’t expire before submission of your PR, it’s fine.
Hai sir, I am a general nurse, I have 11 years of work experience and I worked in both Saudi Arabia and India as well. I am interested in Canada migration , am I eligible through express entry?? Please give me your advis.
My ielts score is , speaking 7
Writing 6.5
Listening 7
Reading 6.
Dear Sir or Madam,
I would like to know if my wife’s language and education documents are required to fill out the (primitive) profile.
Furthermore, I have used the “Come to Canada Tool” to find out if I am eligible for Express Entry and to my surprise no inquiry about education was made at the website and finally I was found not eligible.
Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Regards,
A. Shariatifard
Sir, I am 50 this year. I am a Bsc . Graduate of textile Science and technology. If I have overall score of 6 in IELTS, am I likely to be eligible for express entry?
Sir, I am 50 this year. I am a Bsc . Graduate of textile Science and technology. I have about 14 years work experience in my field, but have never worked in Canada before or have any relative in Canada. If I have overall score of 6 in IELTS, am I likely to be eligible for express entry?
Dear sir / madam,
I am Graduate in BSC Computer science. I have more than 10 years work experience in IT , I have got overall score of 5.5 in IELTS, am I likely to be eligible for express entry? Please suggest.
If I have an MS degree from the US University, do I still need to take IELTS if I apply for express entry immigration application?
I m a French language teacher.My TEF exam results are R6 L6 W6 S5 ..I will be giving IELTS soon. My question is can I select French as my first language to win points if yes how many points I ll be given. What are the benefits for a French language teacher to select French as a first language. Thanks in advance.
what band score would required for Canada Express Entry PR visa?
I did 3 years of Engineering diploma and 3 yrs of Engineering Degree – Do I get Education (ECA) score –
1. Single – 128
2.With Spouce – 119
Hi,
I have recently appeared for IELTS academic and got an overall band 8 . Can I apply for PR or I need to appear for IELTS General training module? Please let me know.
Dear sir i have 3year diploma in electrical engineering with 10+ experience and also 6.5 band in ielts can i eligible for canada
I am a Canadian Permanent Resident. I got married after receiving my PR. Can my wife apply for PR through Express Entry?
I currently have the following scores in my IELTS exam
L- 7.0, S-7.0, W-7.0 and R-6.5. Overall as 7.0.
I have my BSc degree. 3 years work experience and less than 30. Does this give me a fair chance if i apply especially with my IELTS score.
Can i say that you can calculate score by yourself using the calculator, you will probably qualify, but for maximum points need to get CLB 9 and above, and to do so should get atleast R-7, L-8,W-7,S-7, as with this and a good qualification you get and extra 50, and if you have foreign work you get an extra 50, and dependant on age and your Bsc will give you 125. Then it depends on the score they allocate for each draw each month, it really is about that, and am just saying as i am also applying. Hope this helps.
Hello Sir,
Please find my below details
In IELTS
LRW-Scored6 each
Speaking-Scored7
Experience-9+years of IT experience in Software testing
Age-30
BCA-Graduated
Is it possible under any program of Canadian PR for which i can apply.
Please guide.
Thanks and Regards,
Sunny
Hi,
I have a 3 years Bachelors degree and a six month certificate from university….will these both considered as two or more degree, certificate, or diploma?? Will WES evaluate my 6-month certificate??? In Express Entry online application, to fill education qualification, for my additional six month certificate, there is no dropdown to select 6 months. The dropdown menu starts with 1 year. I very badly need some extra points. Please give me advise.
Thanks and regards,
Saleema
Hi Madam, Did WES evaluate your six month certificate? Mine is same case. Please kindly reply.
DearSir/ Madam,
I have scored 6 bands in IELTS ( Listening 5.5, Reading 5.5, Writing 5.5, Speaking 7)
I have Job offer for Restaurant Supervisor position but they employer say i require 6.5 in each module and 7 Bands in total as its requirement for PR.
Do i have to give IELTS again or its possible to get work permit with 6 bands plz suggest.
Thanking You
Khurram Qureshi
I have ILETS overall band 6.5 academic
Reading 6
Writing6
speaking 7
Listening 6
Am i eligible for Express Entry ? Which Canadian province accept LELTS academic.
I have Bachelor Degree (India)Graduate Diploma in Business (New Zealand)
Post Gr Diploma in Banking (India)
4+ years New Zealand experience 1&1/2 Years Indian Experience in Administration Accounts & Customer Service.
Reply
I have IELTS.
Listening 4.5,
Writing-5.5
Speaking 4.5
Reading-3.0
And I have more then ten years experience in my task. Can i eligible to canada
dear sir/madam,
hello there, hope you are in good mood and good health,i am majed abou hamdan from lebanon, i got three kids a twins boy and girl age five years and six mounth ,and a younger baby girl age four years.
i want to ask you kindly if you can advice me how can i immigrate to canada as fast as it can be,my age is 43 and my wife is 38 and we would love to move to canada.
my wife got uni certificat a meret in sosuiologi and i got a 3 years teqnical deploma BT3 in hospitality.
we save money for this poupose we have 50000 us$ cash,and we got tow land deed worth 350000 us$ apart from trucks and our car and carpintry machines which i work now for my self.
my wife is working now as accountant and office manager as well.
i really apriciate your help and advice our kids like to move to canada more than we do so its evry day story.
we got 5.5 for my wife and 5.5 for my self in ielts .
thank you and may god bless you.
best regards
have anice day
majed abou hamdan
artwoodtouch@gmail.com
009613774176