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.
id like to ask what is the minimum score to pass the express entry pool. thanks in advance.
im an engineer from philippinese and im applying for FSWP.
my IELTS general training result
L=6
R=6
W=6.5
S=6
and already acquired my WES certificate for bachelors degree
and am i also qualified for Provincial nominee program?
if yes, can u give me guide to follow to qualify.
thanks in advance. God bless.
How long is the IELTS test results valid when applying through the Express Entry system? Or do we have to do the test again every 12 months?
It’s eligible for 2 years.
Hello ,cics team ,I would like know that weather with ielts score of overall band 7,L -8, R-6.5, S7.5,W-6.5 ,am eligible for PR in Canada and what are the other requirements.Please reply dear.
I have 10 years working experience in different sectors namely customer service, Market research and 2.5 years experience in the current role in banking as kyc & Aml compliance officer. I’m a post graduate and my wife is M.Sc B.Ed and got 7 years of teaching experience in high school. Pls advise if we are eligible for the express entry program. If yes, who should be the primary applicant. Me or my wife? Thanks
Sir i m M.Tech with 9 year experience. And my age is 38 years. How much i should score in IELTS for canada……..for PR visa…..
dear Sir,
I Sukhbir Singh, have done B.tech in Mechanical engineering. Currently I am working with reputed firm in Manufacturing Engineering dept. as as assistant manager, having 6 years of experience.
I am about to apply for Canada Express entry profile, My ECA & ILETS is under progress.
As I am married, my spouse is university graduate. I do want to know Is the ECA of my spouse education required or not.??
Regards,
Sukhbir
Dears,
If I’m a holder of a DELF-B2 (french language), can I apply for the express entry?
Noting that I won’t present an English test since I’m a holder of a Masters Degree from an American University.
Thank you
Hello;ma’am/sir
I am nurse here in the philippines. What ielts mdule should i take is it the general or the cademic for me to apply for express entry. Thank you
Hi
I am an MCA and working in an MNC. I want to pursue for higher studies. Could you advise me which educational courses are beneficial or have more value for express entry to Canada?
Thanks
Sir i got overall 6.5..L.7,w.6.5.R.6 and S.5.5 ..am i eligible for express entry visa
Dear Sirs hello
I am planning to apply for Express Entry (FSW).
As a fisrt step, I have had my IELTS test. Results as follows:
-Listening/Reading: 7
-Speaking: 6.5
-Writing: 5.5
My question is: can I apply under the system, noting my mark on Writing and knowing abt CLB 7 (to require 6/skill)?
Tks & Brgds
Christina Hakim
You will need a minimum of 6.0 in each ability in order to qualify.
With this score can we apply for Saskatchewan or Nova Scotia?
Dear sir /maim
I got score in ielts exam for federal skilled worker for canada
Listening 6.5
Reading 4.5
Writing 5.5
Speaking 6.0
Aim I eligible for canada
You need a minimum of 6 in each ability in order to qualify.
Hi,
I’m from India and have nearly 4yrs of exp as Material Planner (SAP-MM) in Supply Chain Management/Procurement field. My Industry Specific is Aerospace N Defense and working for Canadian Client. I have completed my ECA assessment as well. My IELTS score is as below
L-7.5,R-7,S-6,W-6. Overall I have 6.5 band.
Do I have the eligibility to apply for Express entry and qualify for Canadian PR? Please advise.
Yes, You can Apply for Australia PR, if you have overall 60 points, i.e age, education, english test,experience etc
Hi team,
Me n my spouse try for canada skilled workers visa. The consultancy said 7 band is only eligible for skilled workers and that is 7 in all R,W,S,L.
We have our exam in june end. Please confirm us the ielts score eligible for skilled workers
Thanks
It depends on your other attributes. The threshold is 6.0 in each ability, but sometimes you need more points in order to achieve the minimum score of 67. If you need assistant or representation for your application, please contact us
Hi,
My DOB is 12-Dec-1971. As per my calculation I am now 43 years some days old. Just wanted to know from immigration perspective am I considered as 43 years or 44 years.
This is important for me to calculate my points for Express Entry pool.
Thanks in advance,
JKD
The day that you submit your application, and whatever your age is, that’s what will be calculated. Therefore, if you submit before December 12th, your age will be calculated as 43. However, if you’re not picked by then, then your age will increase.
Have scored overall 5.5 band in ielts
L 5.5
R 4.5
W 6
S 6
Am I eligible for Canada express entry in any province like Quebec or nova Scotia. They are accepting overall 5 bands not in each module please advice your concern is valuable.
Hi, im from nepal, i got 6 score in each band and my education is only secondry school/ intermidate level . I have 4 year experience in caregiver from european country if i apply express entry canada can i get invitation or im eligible for express entry canada. I need ur kind imformation
As caregiver is not considered a skilled job (NOC 0, A, B), then you are not qualified under Express Entry.
There is any programe where i am quilified for canada work permit visa
Hello
I had completed my 4 year Diploma in “Mechanical Engineering ” from Georgian College Canada’s Extension campus in India. I have never been to Canada but my Diploma is awarded by the Canadian College. Do I still need to apply for educational evaluation? If yes, then how, as there are no options for the same on WES website.
Kindly help.
i am electrical sales engineer working in saudi arabia from the past 3 years.
my IELTS is 6 in each ability.
Question : if i take online education/certification course form any Canadian university
then its points will be calculated in express Entry at (federal skilled worker), please advise.
Hi
Is it necessary to carry out both French and English test to be qualified or one of them is enough?
Hello,
I have got ECA and IELTS completed with scores R-7, W- 6, L -8.5 and S- 7 and applied for EE. Initially I added my spouse details in the form but removed it later as she has not completed ECA and IELTS. I can take her along with me only if she is added as secondary in the form? If yes, should IELTS and ECA be completed for her as well? Because my points are 342 and 364 with and without spouse respectively.
Please advice.
i have recently done my mca now i want to go canada so plz inform me that is any chance for me to go canada. Now i prepere for ilets is it write or not .
is it right good if i complete my ilets for canada and get good score like6.5-7.0 band
Dear Sir,
My total score for the Express Entry is 399.
My fiancee is a Canadian citizen having a permanent job.
May I know how our marriage could affect my express entry application?
Hi,i have done masters in maths and have experience of about 6 and half years of elementaryteaching in maths.MY IELTS score are R8.5L8.5 S6.5 W6 overall score 7.5.AM i eligible forexpress entry and under which category.looking forward for your reply
Sir/madam
I had tried 3 times for ilets. My latest score is L:6 R:5 W:6 and S:7
Having 8 year experense and already done my WES report
Please tell me if their is any way this i can apply with this score
My all document are ready to submit waitong for ur reply
You need at least 6 in each ability to qualify.
Is TOEFL score eligible for Express entry program.
I have TOEFL score valid for another year.
Please help in this matter.
Thank you
No. For English, it’s either IELTS or CELPIP.
Hi Sir/Madam,
I got score in IELTS–L-6.5,,R-5.5,,W-6,,S-6.5 and having 4 years of experience. am i eligible for express entry.Please help me out.
Thanks!!
Am accountant department and i hope to take ielts coz i know its very imp to travel to canada but i want a model of ielts test if any one provide that to me to get a high score to travel plz help me
Dear Sir/Ma’am,
I have m Ielts and ECA done. If I include my spouse in application, will he need to do Ielts and ECA? And will his points be automatically included or I have to claim that?
My spouse has taken ielts but its of 2011. Should I mention that in application? or he needs to take fresh one.
Your response will be much appreciated.
He will have to do a new one if you want points from him. It is highly recommended that he does do a new IELTS test. You can always submit your application and add his information in the future. If you would like us to assist you with the application, please let us know. We charge $900 to do a family application under Express Entry.
CICS Team
Do you do express entry applications for international persons also? Is it still $900?