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.
Hi,
My name is Athira T J.I am looking forward to migrate to Canada .I am currently located in India.I have my Masters degree in civil structural engineering and have 3 years of work experience.I have scored IELTS overall 7 .I am also married .So I want an experience opinion about the same asap.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like to confirm whether the Express entry profile bearing no. E001823032 (Name : Jain Mohan, Passport no. Z2258420) received from an agent is genuine or not. Please check and conform as soon as possible as I have to pay them the second stage payment. Please help
Need urgent help..
Which one should i choose for eca to evaluate my 1 year post graduate distance diploma to get it recognized as 1 year canadian certificate or diploma. i am already having bachelor evaluated from WES.
Hi Team,
My score is below. what can i expect.
Listening: 6.5
Reading: 5.5
Writing: 6.5
Speaking: 7.0
Overall: 6.5
I AM A 41 YEAR OLD SOCIAL WORKER WITH 2 YEARS EXPERIENCE. ECA DONE AND IELTS SCORE 6. CAN I APPLY FOR ANY PNP WITHOUT EXPRESS ENTRY SUBMISSION AS MY NEXT IELTS EXAM GOT CANCELLED AND I DONT WANT TO WAIT.
Good Evening,
This is just a general enquire. I am planning to apply for PR Visa to Canada as a primary applicant. I have total 3 years of experience in teaching. So is it fine if only I appear for the IELTS exam or my husband also have to appear.
If only I appear for the exam what should be scorce I must acquire in exam.
Did you apply
I have a Masters Degree evaluated by WES to be Canadian Masters Degree equivalent, if I get a job offer that requires only high school, is it ok to update my express entry profile with that? Does it matter whether I have more qualifications than is required for the job?
Dear all,
I would like to apply for PR visa for Canada. I have around 7 years work experience, have completed my bachelor degree from IGNOU India, at present I am 32.
Would you please let me know my eligibility and best process to apply.
Your response would be highly appreciated.
Regards
AD
I want to apply for my PR through express entry but my score is less ONLY 400. Please can you advise who i can increase the scores and apply for through the PNP.
Is an University Degree taught in an English speaking country (USA) also a proof of English proficiency?
I am filling my PR application and I have a doubt.
I have done two different 1-year courses from Canada. Can I put them together as 2 years of education since they both come under hospitality but the courses were different?
Hi, i am 35 years old,my qualification is masters ,ielts score is L 6, S 6.5,W 6, R 6 overall 6 bands should i aply for express entry or not or I need spouse ielts band to increase the chance…..kindly guid..
Can i get PR in Alberta with NOC C category..
through PNP program..
Awaiting for reply.
Thanks in advance.!
My Husband is a journalist that practice for more than 10years and he is planning to relocate to Canada and get permanent residence. He has Mastet in English and currently PhD student in Nigeria about to do his Vival. I am his wife with 5 children. I am Senior Lecturer in Federal University.
How do we go about his dream with easy.
i want to know the required GT IELTS score each band for the nurses to get qualified for Express Entry Program and also the duration it takes for the whole processing.
Please am a registered nurse with one year working experience. I wrote IELTS last month and got L-9,R-6,W-6,and S-7.5. what chances do I hv
Hi, I am 33 years of age … I have a Bachelors Degree in French language. I have an over 8 years working experience, 3 as a French teacher and 5 as a Banker. I got 7.0 in IELTS (L-6.5, R-6.0,W-7.0, S- 7.5). I am 33years and I am single.
I want to move over to Canada, what are my chances like?… Please advice me. Thanks.
My 2 years experience having primary NOC will complete in Jan, 2021. I have 9 months experience in 2016. Now if I complete total 2 years and 3 months experience in March, 2021, will my first job experience add into my total 3 years marks in my CRS or first job experience should be without any gap?
My Present CRS score in 460.
Hi,
I am Jaymin Delwadia, professionally involved in construction field from last 19
years.
I am presently in ZAMBIA on work permit bases for a company dealing with structural steel supply, Fabrication and erection.
Since last 10 years in Zambia, I have been continuously busy in Project Management for commercial and residential structure development sites which includes civil works and structural steel installation.
I have also worked for 3 years as Quality Control and Production management for ready Mixed concrete supply companies in ZAMBIA, SULTANAT OF OMAN and in INDIA.
I have worked for 1 year as Quality Control Inspector in a Mega industrial project in Qatar.
I have also worked for 6 years as Quality control inspector for field and laboratory testing in road projects in SULTANAT OF OMAN and INDIA.
I have done my education credential assessment through WES and accordingly
Canadian equivalency : Diploma (two years )
I am trying for CANADA immigration based on following..
1) ECA report is done through WES and accordingly
Canadian equivalency : Diploma (two years )
2) IELTS has done and was Valid till 03/08/2019
speaking : 6.5
Listening :6.0
Reading : 6.0
Writing : 5.5
Regards,
Jaymin
Hi I am 45 years old. I have been living in Canada since october 2018. I graduated two years post graduate program in Toronto last summer. I am working for a Canadian company for 3 months. My ielts score is overall 6.5. Do I have a chance to get PR with Express entry? I would like to know if there is an another way to get PR. Thanks.
Good day,
May you please help me to understand about Level of Education for Express Entry Program: <>. What is the length of the second Certificate? Can it be a Certificate of 6 Months? I have got a Diploma of 3 years and i am busy with a Technical Certificate that i am doing online with a College in Canada. The duration to finish is approximately 32 weeks, which is 8 Months. Do i qualify?
I am having 5+ years of experience in it profile and my ielts score is overall 6 band and 5 in reading and in all other 6 can I get Canada pr or visa at work permit
I have done bachelor’s in dental surgery from India. Does this considered in professional degree criteria while calculating CRS score?
My name is Oluremi Adedapo-Aisida. I am 34 years old. My highest degree is a B.sc and I’ve 8 years working experience. My husband’s elder Sis is a Canadian citizen. My IELTS exam is May 2021. When I simulated my score on the CRS website, I got 426. Is this a good score or I write TEF Exams to add to my scores so that I can get an ITA? Please your professional advice is needed ASAP.
Hi.. I have overall bands 6.5 (S-7, L-6.5, W-6.5 and R-5) Do I eligible for Canada’s PR under PNP ?
I have work experience of 2 years as an assistant prof. and have done masters in Electronics and communication engg.
Hi.. WES has evaluated my MBA 2 years degree equivalent to post graduate diploma( 1 year). In my Canada PR application what should I select for this.
There is no diploma option after graduation under the drop down. There is masters option.
Is that what I have to select
I’m a dentist. Need help understanding what I must enter under “Field of study”
Options available are : 1. Medicine 2.Health Sciences
Can’t understand which one is accurate to enter in my express entry profile
Hi,
I am a merchant mariner (Ship’s third mate) with sea-time experience of 3 years from 2015-2021 part time basis. So, will my work experience be 3 years or 6 years? As we stay in ship, we have 6 months of continuous work and 6 month of vacation usually.