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
—————————————————-
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 Sir ,
I am currently working in US on H1 Visa ,and i am planning to appear for IELTS exam to apply for Canadian PR .
Also , i am going to India for next two months , but i want to appear for IELTS as soon as possible .
My question is can i give IELTS when i am in India , or do i have to give IELTS exam only in the US where i am currently working .
Please advice .
Thanks
Divya
Hello,
I am a Indian with PhD in biological science with expertise in Bio-engineering. Working from +2yrs in Mexican University. My question is – Do i need IELTS score for express entry program or state sponsorship program?
Reply Awaited!!!
I am certified dental assistant in BC. Is this a federal skill trade?
Hi
I applied for my express entry PR through an immigration consultancy last year. I got my ITA but it was later rejected on the basis of some confusion in the WES evaluation.
I got that evaluation rectified and again submitted my application.
Luckily I got my ITA a week back and now I do not want to go ahead with the consultancy. I want to do it on my own. The consultancy said that they will have to advise CIC that they no longer represent me and close my file.
What should i interpret from this. Will it have a negative impact on my file? Can i do the proceedings on my own or will my case be rejected?
I am already in Canada working full-time with an IT firm on Closed WP. I got another offer from another IT firm…is there literally no way to transfer a WP to another employer without going out of the country*? This is so demoralizing…they are calling all kinds of people from the all over the world, but skilled workers like me who have jobs in Canada itself can’t just change their jobs (unlike the simple H1B transfer in the US)!
*These jobs are LMIA exempt (i don’t understand why Canada would have the complex LMIA system, making it beneficial for companies to bypass it by making jobs LMIA exempt!).
im contemplating on applying for an express Entry for Canada of which i have the following IELTS SCores:
Reading : 7
Writing : 6
Listening: 6.5
Speaking: 8
Total Bandscore: 7.0
Will these scores suffice the requirement for express entry ?
i have a PhD degree, 13 years of teaching experience and 39 years old….. any info would be great .
Hello Sir, I need one information regarding to the canada PR. If husband / wife IELTS score is good or sufficient then is it mandatory give the IELTS to both? If it not mandatory for husband or wife then can one of eligible to work in canada without IELTS ?
Please reply me .
It’s not mandatory for the spouse, but the spouse will add points.
Thanks for your reply.
Need your help regarding how the work experience will be calculated.
I started Master degree course in computer engineering from May 2012, and completed it on May 2016. It was a full time course.
Where as , the second year of master is research I simultaneously started full time work in an IT firm from year 2013 and working till today ie 2018.
So my concern is whether the work experience will be considered as 2 years or 5 years?
Kindly help me clear my doubt.It will be a great help. Thanks
Need your help regarding how the work experience will be calculated.
I started Master degrer course in computer engineering from May 2012, and completed it on May 2016. It was a full time course.
Where as , the second year of master is research I simultaneously started full time work in an IT firm from year 2013 and working till today ie 2018.
So my concern is whether the work experience will be considered as 2 years or 5 years?
Kindly help me clear my doubt.
You must demonstrate that you were able to work full-time and go to school full-time. If you are able to, they will accept the work experience as full-time.
Please I want to know my chances of scoring higher with my job experience, I have worked for more than 10 years with Nigeria Immigration Service and still working there, also do I need to start building up my financial status as one of the requirements for creating a profile before registering for IELTS exam? Am 31+ and my wife is 30+, we both have a bachelor degree, I have in computer science while she has in public health.
I am the primary applicant with IELTS GENERAL score 8.
My spouse has IELTS ACADEMICS score 8.
Can I claim points for my spouse’s IELTS ACADEMICS score?
They only accept IELTS General.
I have BA and b. Ed degree with 3year experience……i would ask you that how many minimum band require To me……. Plz tell me
rekha rastogi
Attachments12:33 PM (23 minutes ago)
to sunriseconsult.
Dear Team,
I am 24 Year old BTech(Hons) having 3 year plus experience as a ERP Functional Consultant.
Looking to work and settle in Canada with Express Entry Program.
—
Thanks and Regards,
Rekha Rastogi.
Hello Team,
Greetings!
Need to know about my eligibility towards express visa. I am postgraduate with Computer Application and have almost 3 yrs experience in IT as a software developer. Can you please suggest me to how i can apply or how much points i needed for this.
Thanks
I have completed My M.SC.IT through distance education and was get the admission directly in 3rd semester because i had completed 2 year diploma in computer application from NIIT (Private institute).
Can i add MSC. IT in my education as i have not the 1st or 2nd semester marksheet and not the university will provide the transcripts.
The university will only provide the 3rd and 4th semester transcripts for PR purpose.
Please suggest
Hi,
I have applied for express entry through the Canadian Experience Class and I’m almost at the 6 month mark in waiting to hear back.
My question is, I have prospects of starting a new job in a new province. If I change jobs prior to getting my PR, how does this affect my application?
Thanks!
Fiona
If it’s not a PNP application and your application is based on what you have done in the past, it shouldn’t be an issue.
hiii i got overall 6 bands L6 W6 S7 R4.5 can i apply for canada.
hello i have done BA regular and bsc it in distance same year and donw pgdmm dilpoma regular and taken lateral entry in lpu to complete my degree i have five years experience as sales manager and i got refused last year on study visa can i apply for pr i got 6.6.6.6.5 each can i apply for canada pr
Is a certified dental assistant in BC a federal skill trade by any chance?
Hi, Ive been investigating about the requirements to apply for expresa entre as an architect. Its says that a 3 year internship is required. I dont have 3 year internship but i hace work experience. That mean i cant be elegible ?
Hi Team,
I am looking to migrate to Canada. MY IELTS scores are L-6, I am an experienced IT professional with more than9 years experience and want to move to Canada.
Hi Team,
I wanted some assistance. In the event I have an invitation under the Express Entry, will I still need to undergo a post graduation program to be able to work in Canada. As I understand, a PR under the express entry does not guarantee a job in Canada and it only assesses your skill set for the Express Entry. I am a lawyer working in India and have close to 10 years of work experience however I do not have a Masters qualification.
If my profile is selected under the Express Entry, will I be required to undergo a post graduation program even though I do not wish to pursue law in Canada. If I change my field to lets say anchoring for a TV channel in Canada will I still require to do a post graduation program.
Best,
Sakshi
hello sir,
I just want to confirm that if education & experience is in different different field in that case can we apply for express entry.
completed study in msc microbioloty
& working with tcs 10yers experience in market research project & post as lead/manager
Regards,
Dhruti vyas
hello sir
myself daljit singh age 33
i want to confirm that i m govt employee from 2012 as a assistant (adminstration) and i got CBL 9 in ilets(general) i have one diploma in architect(3 years) and then B.A and M.A . my husband have 6 band overall and he have also B.A and M.A .
1. my noc code is 1212(B level) and inside this code my duties fully machted with 1432(c level) now i m confused that which noc code will i choose.
2. i have two bechelor degree and then master which one i can choose Bachelor’s degree OR a three or more year program at a university, / Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees. One must be for a program of three or more years/
please reply me
dear sir
i am going to plan ielts in auguts…..and i did bachelor of physiotherapy and i have 6 year experience ,…i am single…i also post graduate diploma spcelizing in hiv/aidsa from southafrica i am indian… can i apply pr in express entry
Dear Sir/Madam,
Please could you assist me with the following concern:
I obtained my Bachelor degree and worked as a teacher of English at a university from 2007 – 2013. I got my Master degree in 2012.
In the NOC description for University Lecturer, the requirement for the job is a Master degree.
My question is, is my work experience counted from 2007 (when I started working) or 2012 (when I obtained my Master degree)?
It counts from 2007.
Need your advice please. I have started working since 2008 as a web developer after higher secondary school due to financial problems. But, I have graduated in 2015, while I was working aside. So, will my work experience be counted since 2008 (can produce experience letter from the company I am working with) OR after graduation?
Also, can I not get registered into Express Entry with a score of 366 and then look for PNP to be eligible with additional 600 points?
Please let me know, so I can estimate my chances of getting a PR.
I would appreciate very much if you could please assist me with filing an application for PR/Express Entry in Canada. I would want to settle permanently, live and work either in Ontario or British Columbia regions in Canada. I am a retired gazetted officer – a diplomat, from the Government of India, aged 64+ years, and presently residing in New Delhi. I hold a Postgraduation (Master’s Degree) in English Literature, that I earned from an Indian University – Agra University, Agra, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) in the year 1977. Although, I have never taken an IELTS test, I am fluent in the English language, and possess adequate working/functioning knowledge in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.
With my above relevant personal details/particulars, could you please let me know whether or not, I am required to take the IELTS test for this purpose ?
I thank you, for your valued assistance and/or suggestion(s) in this regard.
Unfortunately your age prevents you from going through Express Entry, unless you have a validated job offer.
hi,
my spouse has a registered business she is into making handicraft products, can her business add to her work exp.
Yes.
Hello,
I have a question about NOC 1226: Conference and Event Planners. Here are the employment requirements for this NOC:
– A university degree or college diploma in business, tourism or hospitality administration is usually required.
– Several years of experience in hospitality or tourism administration or in public relations are usually required and may substitute for formal education requirements.
How many years of experience can be considered satisfactory to replace a university degree?
Thanks!
I have 7 years of experience and is eligible for ITA. Do I need my birth certificate? My DOB is 23 July 1988. Please let me know if I need to upload my 10th and 12th certificates too.
Please answer as soon as possible.