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.
i have IELTS band score in the ffg: writing :6, speaking:8, listening:8, reading:7.
i am 28 years old, have a Bsc in Economics and a supervisor in a top bank in Nigeria with an experience of 3 years. i have created a profile online and i got a response that im not eligible to apply under any of the programs. this is very confusing as i have filled various assessments online and it shows i am eligible. Pls do respond so i can know if i made a mistake somewhere or maybe my IELTS score isnt sufficient to apply under the express entry.
thank you.
Dear Sir,
have you received a response in this matter? Or have you solved your problem?
My fiancé has a very similar case, his IELTS scores are high enough, 4 yrs work experience, a Masters Degree in B.A. and is also 28 yrs. He got a “not eligible” response too and we have no idea what happened.
I got an “eligible” response in mine with similar record. If you have found a response, help or any idea of what type of mistakes he may have made, please respond to this comment, we really want to find a solution to this.
Thanks in advance.
Respected Sir,
Can you please tell me, which LMIA title is eligible in Express entry?
i.e. Food counter Attendant, Food Service Supervisor
Dear sir
I kindly ask to be informed if an Academic Ielts is acceptable for the Express Entry .
I am an Elementary teacher with 6 years of experience and few months ago I scored 7R,6.5S,6W and 6.5 L. So am I eligible to apply ?
Thank you in advance
You can only use General IELTS for programs under Express Entry.
Only General IELTS is accepted not Academic…right
Right.
Hello I’m from Nepal I’m a nurse working in UAE as nurse . I’m married I huv done my GT ielts n my score is over all 5.5 ,(R 4.5 ,S6, W5.5,l 5.5)so can I process or not I’m eligibility or not
Must be at least 6 in each ability in order to qualify for Federal Skilled Worker.
I have ielts54.5 band in ielts . can I apply for canada pr.listening 4 reading 4writing 4.5 speaking 5.
Im gnm nurse .igot ielts 4.5 bandi.i heve 8 years experienceh.can I apply for canada pr.listening 4 reading 4 writing 4.5 speaking 5.
yes off course u are eligible
I got 5 IELTS score
W.5
S.5.5
L.5
R.4
12 years study and 1 year diploma in Multipurpose Health care worker, I have 5 years work experience in nanny/caregiver. Can I eligible or not to apply for Canada?
Thank you
Hi,
I would like to bring my spouse to Canada. Do they also need an ECA report or to take a language test when I apply for express entry?
Regards
ECA is only for the principal applicant.
I have a question. It shows that I am eligible for fsw through express entry and I want to bring my future husband with me. Yet, we will get married by the end of november. Is it okay if I apply now through express entry and once I get married on November, i can change it? Or will it have an impact for that?
Hi Im planning to do the same. you got any answers to your question?
Hi
I have done my bachelors in dental surgery (BDS) from pakistan and also my FCPS in Operative dentistry. I have both the teaching (Assistant Professor in a University) and dentist (working as dentist in clinics and hospitals) experience. I have the following two questions:
1. If i apply under the express entry in the 4011 University professors and lecturers code, would i be eligible to do so? Is a Masters degree requirement a must? (keeping in mind that BDS is actually a professional degree). What about any person who has done a minimum of BDS and not FCPS?.(Please note in my case i have also an FCPS degree, which is a specialization). wes has equated my BDS as : 4 years of professional study in dentistry and wes equated my FCPS in Operative dentistry as: 3 years of graduate dental education.Also would like to know how much points do i get on the education grid in Federal skilled worker program?
2. Since in express entry 2015, all occupations under the noc 2011 list are open, Am I also eligible to apply as a dentist in code 3113? Is it necessary that i have a canadain dental licence exam taken before i can apply? Or what can be the hindrances in my case if i want to apply as a dentist?( I would surely want to get a license to practice dentistry in canada, but do i need any licenses right now to apply in this category?
which of the two codes 4011 or 3113 should i apply in?
Would really appreciate an earliest reply here on this forum.
Thanks
as I see you have asked a very good question in 2015 , I want to know if you were able to get it under code 4011 in teaching after Fcps or not. what I know they don’t need license or proof of teaching license to apply for 4011? I ll appreciate if you guide , also what’s the minimum IELTS score required , I have 7.5 overall and in all bands except writing 7.
I m getting below error for last few days while submitting my profile
System-generated error code:null (2015-02-28 13:12:48)
Sorry
This on-line service is currently not available.
Possible reasons::
We are currently updating this Web site.
We are experiencing technical difficulties.
Please try again later.
is this going to be fixed
Regards,
Sandeep M
Hi sir,
I am working in under LMO as a Machinist in alberta for the past 1 year. My IELTS scores were speaking 4.5,listening 5.0,reading ,4.0,writing 5.0 ,I need to know whether these scores were enough to apply in express entry for PR.
Hi,
If I took the Academic Level for IELTS, would my scores still be accepted for Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker Program?
No. Only General IELTS is accepted.
Dear Sir / Madam
I am from Nepal and I am taking an IELTS GT exam. My education is Intermediate Science, which I had completed 3 years ago. Currently I am on Bachelor Level but it is not completed yet. But my profession is on computer field since more than three years.
I am doing as a computer lab assistant.
Can I eligible for Canada Express entry System
Regards,
Sudip
i am the primary applicant, written the general module ielts and we are having 67 points. But my wife is having ielts in academic module with an overall score of 7. My doubt is can i add her education and experience to increase the points without writing general module?
I have applied online and status says profile ineligible. Will this mean that the application is immediately rejected and will not be assessed further? Thank you.
my currently occupation is welder . i have done iti welder in 2010 and now i have 4.5 year experience in welding . My score in ILETS is Reading 4.0 , Listening 5.5 , Speaking 6.0 , and writing 5.0 . Is i am eligible for applying in express entry ?
My score is 440 out of 1200. Am I eligible to apply for express entry?
Esha
hello sir/madam
I have completed my BSC Nursing from Bangalore and I have 1year of work experience but I am a Nepalese citizen.And I have a academic IELTS aggregate 6.5(Listening-6.5,Reading-6.5,Writing-6,Speaking-6.5
)Will it be possible to apply for express entry
They don’t accept academic. You need to get IELTS general.
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
Hi , I am ramesh adhikari from nepal. I am Msc graduate in physics. I am also trying for express entry . My ielts GT is R 7.5, L 7, W 6.5, S 6.5. We can exchange our knowledge regarding this issue. You can contact me at hanumanbhajan@ gmail.com if you wish.
I am from india have done my m-tech in computers n 2011 n i have work experience of teaching of near about six years. My academic result is good m i eligibe or not for express entry.
Hi madam/sir,
I completed my b.sb.sc. nursing. I have 2 year experience in clinical practice and 1:30year of teaching experience. I got my WEC . I scored l-6 r-6 w-4.5 s-5.5 so m I eligible for canada express entry. Pls give me reply.
THANK YOU
Dear Sir/Madam,
I have completed my B.Eng in Electrical from India and currently working in South Africa since last 4 Years. I have a PR of South Africa.
I would like to know whether the test results required above certain points in both languages (English and French) or the test results of only One language is adequate for applying under Express Entry.
Best Regards
One language is adequate. Best, CICS Team
Thank you very much
Respected Sir,
I’m B com Graduate and has 11 years of experience in Accounts and Finance. I have appeared for IELTS for 4 times but always gets in two activities 6 bands and in remaining two 5.5 bands. Overall it is 6 bands. I’m Keeping on giving the exams but unable to cope up with 6 bands in all 4. Hard earned Money is watsed as unable to get 6 bands. This is a requirement to foreign countries and people should not start business to make money by making the exams tuffer and tuffer day by day. Hope you would got my concern
I am BE computer with 8 years of experience on IT, have given ielts GT and got 6 in each band, 34 years , married with 1 child, am I eligible for EXpress entry. Please assist.
Dear CIC teams. I got my Ielts test with score 6 overall.
L:6.5 R:5 W:5.5 S:6.5
Can I apply Canada PR through CEC express entry skill lvl B which is need 5 for the ielts requirement?
Dear Sir,
Thanks for your guidance. My many queries are cleared from your earlier answers.
I am a Graduate Engineer from India and having experience of 8+ years in Construction from that in Managerial role from last 5 years.
Ielts scores are 7, 6.5, 6.5, 6 in 4 bands.
My spouse done Masters (no experience)
Ielts 6, 5.5, 5, 5.5 in 4 bands
I want to go for PR and NOC 0711 Construction Managers (90% matching to my profile)
I want to know how much point is required to apply for PR and above skilled immigration through express entry.
Thanks in advance
Regards
Does my spouse need to take the IELTS too? Is it mandatory for the spouse? If it is, which is the minimum score needed? Thanks.
Hello, did you get any answer for this question? I’m also needing information for this matter.
See reply to Lucy.
No, it’s not mandatory, but if you need extra points, they would be able to contribute with a decent language score.
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hi my is jagatbir singh rawat i git express entry invitation 28 Feb but my work permit has expired in mid march and my employer apply lmia but unfortunately i was reject so can i apply without lmo please help me im in big trouble thank you
I have worked as a Maitenance Fitter in heavy industry for over 20 years, presently iam a foreman but iam still fit and ready for the bench.Iam interested in migrating to Canada and work there ,what is the way forward ?
Hi, what should i put in my education and language profile in express entry? I have assessment thru WES and it said 3 years diploma, i graduated in Philipines with a degree of BS Civil Engineering. Should i still put 3 years base on WES assessment or 5 years which I have studied my degree in the Philippines?
I have 9 years of experience with post graduate degree in business administration , my ielts score is L – 7 , R – 6 , s-5.5 , w-5.5. Should I apply for express entry .is it satisfactory? ?
Hi
I have LMO and working as store manager from last 2 years .
Recently I gave my ielts and I score l-6,R-6,S-7,W-5 overall 6 bands
Am I eligible to file in express entry