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.
Dear CICS Immigration Team,
I have an overall score of 7 (L-7.5, R-7, W-6.5,S-7).
My ECA is in MBA. and I have 8 years experience of working in different units in the Bank. I am married h 1 child and I am 32year old. Can I go ahead and create a profile with these scores and stand a chance of being invited to apply?
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Many thanks.
Hello
My CRS is 411. I have experience of 5.6 yeat.What will be the change in CRS after it reaching 6 year?
Thanks
Min ielts score required for spouse in each module …pls suggest
Hi,
I’m Irosh from Sri Lanka. I got Listening:6.0, Reading:6.0, Writing:6.0, Speaking:6.5
Overall:6.0. Is it possible for me to apply with this results?
Regards,
Irosh
And, I have 10 years of experience in HR (currently working as a Senior HR Executive in Sri Lanka) and holding a Diploma in HRM. My wife has 8 years of experience as a Travel Executive in Sri Lanka.
What is the percentage of getting a chance?
Hi CICS Immigration Team,
I have a multiple IELTS score like 1) R8.5, L8,S8,W6.5 and another 2) R8,L7,S7,W7, can I submit both the result to show my English ability and claim the marks from the skill transferability factor.
Please advise because this issues is confusing as the main aim from this criteria is to determine the level of language proficiency and I believe that the applicant shows that by receiving marks in both exams above 6 in all components.
Thanks and waiting to your answer.
You can only submit one language score. You cannot combine two together.
Dear Sir,
I am an IT professional from India and having 12 Years of experience in IT industry.I am a post graduate and 39 year old.
I got Below Scores in IELTS.
R:6.5
L: 5.5
W: 7
S:5.5.
OVERALL : 6.
Could you please clarify whether I am eligible to apply for Express entry.
Thanks!
Hello,
My ECA report states that my bachelor compares to the completion of a first professional university degree in dentistry, would this get me the points in the skill transferability for ” 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” combined with my english CLB 9?
Hello,
I wanted to know that my husband is a system engineer with 3 years of experience and i am a physiotherapist with 2 years of experience and my age is 26.My husband has given IELTS his score is also 7.5 overall then what can be the possible reason of ineligibility as we are bringing even enough funds with us if you can help me out with this.No consultant you can trust here as we already paid around 750 dollars to a well known firm and they haven’t helped us in anyway yet.
Waiting for your prompt reply
Noor
Noor
Hi,
My husband is planning to apply for express entry .He gave his Ielts in early 2015. But i gave my Ielts in Nov 2013. will my result will be accepted. ( its 7.5 in all)
Thanks
Maria
It cannot be older than 2 years.
Hello, sir,
May I ask whether my job experience should be relevant to my university degree?
I have few years of job experience (NOC) that is not connected with my bachelor’s dergee. Will it be a problem?
No. As long as the job is skilled, it will be counted.
Dear sir,
I am a spouse of a principal application in express entry federal skilled program,
I need to know do i need to get an ECA report for my education to receive a score on it? or i can receive a score when submitting my transcript from university stamped from country foreign affairs ministry?
Thank you
You would need an ECA to validate your education.
Hello Sir,
I am from India working with reputed MNC and have a total of 3 years experience in embedded domain .I gave my IELTS exam with overall score of 6.5 bands :-
Reading – 7
Listening – 6
Speaking -6.5
Writing -6
I have consulted with some immigration consultancies for Express Entry but they told me eligibility for Express Entry is 7 in IELTS as I am having no job offer,no blood relation etc.Even the online eligibility tool is not considering.So I am little bit confused whether to retake the Exam or I can apply with same score Also how can I proceed further.Your help will be really appreciated.
Regards,
TJ
Sir
I am working as an Sales and Service engineer. I got Speaking 7.5 , Writing 6.5, Reading 7, Listening 8. My CRS is 387.
Noc lies under 6221.
I want to apply for express entry. I just want to confirm is there any probability to get selected with this crs ? As last draw was 457.
And another question is how to apply for pnp. ?
HI THERE,
I SUBMITTED A PROFILE UNDER EXPRESS ENTRY AND IT CAME BACK STRAIGHT AWAY AS INELIGIBLE. SLIGHTLY CONFUSED AS MYSELF AND HUSBAND HAVE 10 YRS EXPERIENCE IN A AND B SKILL CATEGORIES. DOES THE APPLICATION COUNT AS INCOMPLETE WITHOUT AN ECA CERTIFICATE NUMBER? (I AM THE PRINCIPAL APPLICANT). I’M WONDERING IF THIS IS WHY IT IS DEEMED INELIGIBLE AT THE MOMENT.
MANY THANKS
BEC
Yes. You must have an ECA report. Spouse’s ECA is compulsory, but it will add points to your overall profile if your spouse has high school or more in education.
Hi sir/madam
i am gnm nursing and ielts s.6.5,L6, W6, R4.5 overall 6 bands. I have enough work experience too. So am I eligible to apply under express entry.
Thanks
No. You cannot have less than 6.0 in any language ability.
I want to migrate. But my husband will not appear in IELTS exam. Can I apply?If I apply what is the possibility
I want to migrate. But my husband will not appear in IELTS exam. Can I apply?If I apply what is the possibility?
Dear Team ,
My overall IELTS score is7.5 &the breakage is as below.
R -8
L- 8
W-7
S-7
I have 7.5years of experience in IT specializing in storage & backups. I am a graduate with Btech in Electronics &Communication . Canyou tell me my chances of getting a PR &Job there in Canada.
My Question is My Wife has IELTS Score as below :
L 5.0
R 3.5
W 4.0
S 4.5
Is she eligible to get the points of adaptability ?? Please reply me asap.
Hi There,
I would like to more about job offer letter. Is job offer letter with different NOC than my profession NOC valid or not?
Thanks
Only if you are qualified for that job.
Is it Mandatory to take language proficiency test for spouse?
No. But will help the points.
i am a staff nurse and want to apply for Canada express entry. please can anybody suggest which version of IELTS(Academic Or General ) i need to go for?????
About ECA- Do i need to go for only my higher degree(B.Sc Nursing) or i need to go for 10th and 12th?
To answer your questions:
IELTS General + Highest Degree
Hi..i hv L-7.5 R-6.5, w-6 s-6.5….I have got 72 points..what could be my points in CRS out of 1200…what r my chances.
I am working as Sytem admin in IT company in india. I completed my Bachelor of Biotechnology in 2009.
My question is am i eligible for Express entry eventhough my work experience is irrelevant to my education?
Is it mandatory to have same work experience compare with education?
Please guide us at the earliest
Sometimes it does, but usually it doesn’t. It depends if the occupation is heavily regulated, like doctors.
Dear Sir,
Trying to calculate CRS score from the CIC website, I would want to know if my foreign work experience of continuous full time 34 months, will be considered as 3 years or 2 years?
Looking forward to your reply.
Regards,
Manoj
2 years
Dear Sir/Madam,
Please let me know if my own sister is a PR of Canada, then does that help me increase my CRS score or increase my chances to get Canadian PR?
Regards,
Manoj
No. It does not. At least, not at this time. They might introduce extra points for family into Express Entry.
i would like to go through this programme for Canadian PR. How much the total cost incurred is??
my CRS score is 375. Is it possible for me to get selected?? Please tell me the other possible options to get into pool
Hello,
I have completed my Masters in Engineering in United States in December 2015. I want to apply for Express entry Program, but i don’t have IELTS score. Although I have valid GRE and TOEFL. Can i apply for the same?
Thank you!
You need IELTS.
Hi CIC Team,
we reappeared in IELTs and got the better score
Previous one R 6.5 L7.5 W 6.5 S 6.5
This time R 7 L 7.5 W 7 S 7
But there is not change’s in points any clue what would be reason?
Hello Sir,
I am planning to Apply for PR, i wanted to know how much minimum band is required for spouse ?
My Wife got below score is it okay or we need min 6 in Each. ( second applicant)
L 7.5,
R 6.0
S 7.5
W5.5