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.
M hospitality nd business diploma holder. I have 4-5 year experience in food industry. I have valid job offer from canada too. How many bands in each module,I have to require to get PR
Is there a requirement to go for Express entry program through immigration agencies. Or we can do it on our own
There is no obligation to go through immigration agencies. You can do it yourself if you like.
I’m a Software Developer. I hope to apply for Canadian PR under Express entry. I worked as a software developer for eleven months at a reputed company, but I have completed more than express entry (Federal Skilled worker Category)requested hours as my work experience. (1,560 hours total)
I also worked as a website developer for one and a half years. But the employer is a proprietor.Both of my jobs are including in Category (NOC skill type)’ A’. Would it be a problem If I use my second job experience to apply for express entry(Skilled worker category). Because I worked for a proprietor.
Please help me to understand.
Thank you
Dear Sir/Maam,
I have overall 7 band in Ielts, R6.5,W6.5,L7,S7… WES gave me equivalency of bachelors degree three years, i have work experience of 2.5 years in NOC code 4162 outside Canada and I am married as well. When I use come to Canada tool, it shows me ineligible. And if I add my husbands Ielts score ( that too the expired one), it shows me as eligible. Does it mean that his ielts is a requirement? And if not, why CTC tool making ineligible, if I meet all the requirements?
Hello,
I want to apply for permanent residency through Express Entry FSW. I did a masters degree in engineering in Canada (Vancouver, UBC), but my previous education is completed in my home country. I am wondering if I should still do do an ECA (Educational Credential Assessment) of my bachelors degree, given that I did my masters here.
Thanks a lot.
Hi sir…I’m a head of a school and 6years teaching experience..my qualification is m.a English b.ed…I got 6.5bands..Listening 7,reading and speaking 6.writing 6.5…am I eligible for applying through express entry visA…plz don’t reply
I got 6 6 6 5.5 overall 6 bands…can I apply to pr canada..?plz reply
We have to get 6.0 in each module or overall 6.0 is good ?, of course i am trying hard to get even more.
Friends can you please confirm?
You will need a minimum of 6.0 in each ability, in order to be eligible for Federal Skilled Worker, under Express Entry.
What will be the eligibility as a primary applicant for the following scores?
L=8.50
R=7.00
W=5.50
S=6.50
Overall=7
If nt primary, can it be applied as dependent?
I got 5 Listening, 5.5 Reading, 6 Speaking, 6.5 Writing can I apply for Canada PR under express entry …
Spouse ielts is also required for PR or mail applicant score is sufficient
my son has done CFA(USA) -chartered financial analyst and passed all three levels and awaiting chapter. which province is suitable for him to apply for a job for CFA qualified persons.
I have gt overall score of 6 in ielts.am i elgible for express entry experience class?
Hello Sir,
Myself Shashank Makkar, I am from India, I have done B.E. in Electronics and Communication but gained 4.7 years of experience in IT industry only.
I contacted consultant today itself to get me through Canada’s new Express Entry system but they are also not sure whether I should apply or not as I am experienced in IT industry but my academics is in Electronics.
Please assist me here to get the clear picture whether Canada embassy will allow me to have a Canadian PR even when I am having differences in my educational qualification as compare to my industry experience.
Thanks in anticipation.
hello sir,
I am 54 years,with bachelor’s degree and 33 years of government job experience.Also my ielts score is 7.What are my chances for getting PR Canada?
Please let me know I am working as, administration in charge /supervisor from past 12 years and my ielts test point is 6.5, my age is 45 . kindly let me know do I qualify for express entry
Hello
Is ECA mandatory for spouse of the principal applicant?
Thanks in advance.
I got 6 bands in ilets and i am building architect having experience of 7 years…should im eligible to federal express entry and my work experience outside canada is also accountable in my points?
I am having 1.8 yrs of experience. Below is my IELTS score
Please let me know whether I am eligible for express entry or not.
Listening – 6.5
Reading – 6.0
Speaking – 6.5
Writing – 5.0
Overall – 6
Thanks.
I am a mechanical engineer ..33 years of age and around 9 years of work experience. got 8 band in IELTS married with two kids. How much bright are the chances of success for me? secondly should I aplly for FSWP of CRS programm? pl guide
I’m post graduate nd having two years teaching experience.I score overall 6 nd 6 in each module…please let me know dat am I eligible for express entry.??my spouse is also
Post graduate.please suggest us dat should we apply for express entry.
Thank you.
i am dr and doing job in goverment hospital since 2002 .i have 5 bands in ielts last time my score was 5’5 can i apply for express entry my qualification is md mean mbbs and my date of birth is 03.09.1975 waiting yours ans
Helloo
I have completed my b.com degree and chartered accountant inter.I have also completed my 3 years training in chartered accountancy field. Can i apply through express entry.
Hello I am a PhD and have alreaedy evaluated that from WES. My Question is that whether I can get the points for degree that I did before PhD as second post degree diploma or degree?
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.
Thanks in advance.
Also, could you please send me the details regarding your charges for representing applications of candidates.
Thanks
Hi,
I scored 7.5, 8.5, 9 and 8.5.. Overall 8.5
30 age..
Btech
Mba
7years experience in teaching.
What are my chances?
Express Entry…
Pls confirm.
Thanks
Hello sir,
I have done M.A. B.Ed,PGDCA And having 4.5 years work experience as a convent teacher. I have scored 6 band in each and 6.0 overall in ILETS general. Can i apply under express entry program?
Seeking for an early reply.
Regards,
Richa
Hi
My educational background in to life science ( Degree in Pharmacy @ Masters in Bio science) but currently i am working as a software engineer with US base MNC company,
1) Am i eligible to clam the points under 2173 Software engineers and designers NOC designation ? or do i need any additional certificates ?
2) I am 32 years old! And i got married ( my self and my wife has 3+ yrs of exp and we both have masters degree but our English language is about 5.5 in ielts! is it mandatory to have IELTS 6 is to claim the points under language skills?
3) Does IELTS 6 mandatory to have, If i get any LMIA job offer from canada ?
4) If i apply with IELTS 5.5 & LMIA job offer, do they reject my application?
Dear sir
I am from India and I am working as staff nurse in govt.job on regular basis from 13 years. I got 6 in reading, listening, speaking and 6.5in writing. overall 6 bands. I am physically disabled. I have done diploma in general nsg and midwifery. My husband is pharmacist on contract basis. He has done D.pharmacy. I have two children aged less than 12 . Could I apply for express entry for federal skilled workers programme.
Dear Sir,
I got IELTS overall 6 band score. Can I apply under Federal Trade Worker ?, with this lower band score.I have total 12 years of experience. I have completed B.com.