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 Sir,
Need your advise regarding ECA which I already had done from CES.
They evaluated my Higher secondary & Masters degrees only but they didn’t evaluate my Bachelor degree, reason was said “they are not able to do”, Will I be eligible for express entry ?
Regards,
Umair.
Do i get additional points for my wife’s education for EE?. She has a B.A. in translation.
Sir I’m 31 year old working as a maths teacher & having 5 year teaching experience. I’m single & want to apply for P.R.I have done master’s degree in mathematics, bachelor degree in education with maths &computer as teaching subjects.Also done certificate course of one year in french.My ielts score is R-6, L-7.5, S-6.5& W-5.5.overall 6.5 band.Can i apply for express entry or am i eligible for P.R.please guide me me.I need your help.
Hi Guys,
I did masters from india, buy WES did the evaluation of my degree as Postgraduate diploma (one year). I have already created my profile with masters degree, so do i need to withdraw my profile now?? please help
I had been in Canada for 2 years till Sep 2013. I applied for Online Express Entry from India by August 2015 under Canadian Experience Class. My application was in state OPEN till i last checked in October 24. I thought of proceeding to update my WES credential. But on Nov 1st i received a notification, my profile is now ineligible. The reasons given for ineligible is not specific. If the application is ineligible, it should have reported by September end or October 1st. But how it is reported one month later, this is not fair, I had spent money on WES hoping to enhance my score. Please let me know, what can be done for making eligible.
I have done M.sc human genetics. I got 7 bands in islets general. can I apply for PR canada.
Sir I completed my BDS degree from INDIA.AND I HAVE 10YEARS IF EXPERIENCE IN MY FIELD.AND MAINLY MY WIFE IS HAVING A CANADIAN PR.CAN I WORK IN CANADA AS A ASSISTANT DENTAL DOCTOR IN ANY PRIVATE HOSPITAL IN CANADA OR ANY CANADIAN GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL.PLEASE LET ME KNOW SIR. THANKING YOU SIR.
.
Can I move to another country after applying for PR through Express Entry? For example, I created my profile from India and got entered into the pool. Then I moved to Australia for higher studies. Afterwards, I received ITA when I am still studying in Australia. Now, am I eligible to provide all supporting documents to prove the claims I made during creating the profile? Please advice!
I understand that I need to get police clearance certificate and medical certificate from Australia if I live here for more than 6 months.
Yes you are.
I am 38 years old and I am a Masters of engineering degree holder,presently working in alberta,canada through LMIA approval having 1 year experience in canada and 3.5 year work experience in gulf but actually Iwant to know wat is the IELTS score required to apply for PR.
Thanks in Advance….
I am 38 years old ,Indian,and I am a Masters of engineering degree holder,presently working in alberta,canada through LMIA approval having 1 year experience in canada and 3.5 year work experience in gulf but actually Iwant to know wat is the IELTS score required to apply for PR.
Thanks in Advance….
in ielets required band is 6 in all. first when i gave test i obtained 6 in listening, reading,writing n 5.5 in speaking . now i again take test n obtained 6 in listening, reading, speaking but 5 in writing. can i combine both n apply for express entry?
Hi, I have been working in Singapore as a sales & marketing manager, for the last 3 years. I have 1 year, working experience in India as well. My IELTS score is L:8, R:7.5, S:7 & W:6. Do I qualify for the express entry program ? I want to get my docs accessed by WES, but I am not sure, where I should instruct them to send the result after evaluation, back to me or any other government body. Please advise me on this. Thanks.
Hi,
I am applying for Family express entry with me being the primary applicant.
My question is if my husband who is a secondary applicant gets a job in Canada before i do, will that give us any extra points in CRS?
Regards,
Shikha
Hi, I wanted to know if you are accepted into express entry can you still attend a college or university?
Hallo
My ECA is in M.B.A. and I have 5 years experience in business development officer.
My ielts score is LIST.-06 ,WRI-06,SPEAK-06,READ-5.0
I am married and I have one child , my age is 26 years.
can i apply for any canadian immigration programme.
Please quick reply me .I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.
You need at least 6 in each IELTS ability.
Hai,
I am holding B.E(ECE) and M.E(PED) degree with 7+ years of experience. My spouse holds an M.Com degree.
How much should i score in IELTS for Canada Express Entry. Can you please tell me the individual score band for each section.
I have submitted my profile in the express entry. I do not have an ECA done yet as I am still awaiting the the response from WES. I am married but not including my spouse in the application for now. After I submitted the application the message i received is that I am not eligible for the Federal skilled workers program. I have more than 1 year work experience. Now I am wondering what do I do next.
Dear,
I am going to apply for the Express Entry.
My IELTS score is S-8, L-7.5, R-6.5, W-6 (7.0 Overall). But the thing is that I have passed IELTS Academic.
Can I still go through the application for the Express Entry?
Regards,
Marat
Must be IELTS General
Hi
My spouse is working as cashier from last 1.3 years with more than 30 hours per week. Her points are not included in the total score. There are 5 points if spouse has more than 1 year experience.
Please let me know why points are not added.
Because the job must be “skilled” work experience.
My husband just received the approval for MPNP as a skilled worker. Is our son, who is now 19, required to submit his IELTS result? If yes, what is the required score ?
I am Engineer having 5+ years of experience in govt company. Please advice procedure for express entry for me.
I have over all 6 band. But my speaking score is 5.5.can I apply express entry.
You need minimum 6 in all abilities
Mam or sir ..I complet my bhm from punjab technical university. One consultancy send me saskatoon city without ielts exam is it possible ?
My IELTS score is 5.5 equivalent CLB 5 and i have been assessed by CRS calculator where my total score was 867. Now, let me know in details what’s the procedure i should follow for applying Express Entry Programme.
Thanks
Raj
Hello Sir/Madam,
I have completed my Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS) from India in 2010, WES process is undergoing..
My Ielts score is
L 6.5
R 6.5
W 6.5
S 6.5
Overall 6.5
My wife has done Primary Training Certificate (PTC)
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Education
Master of Arts..
from india.
But my ielts score is higher than her..
It falls under Regulated Occupations.
So
1. Can i apply as a BHMS ( Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery)???
Is there any chances to get Canada PR under FSW – Express Entry??
2. I am running my own homeopathic clinic in india since 4+ years.. Does it count under work experience??
Your valuable reply will be highly appciated..
I have IELTS score as follows:
L: 8
R: 7.5
S: 7.5
W: 7
Overall: 7.5
I am a computer engineer and have 5 years of experience in IT.
My spouse’s IELTS scores are as follows:
L: 7.5
R: 6.0
S: 7.5
W: 6.5
Overall: 7
She is a commerce graduate and has completed her CA (Chartered Accountant). She currently holds less than a year’s work experience.
Are we eligible to apply for a PR in Canada?
I got an overall 7 in ielts. Do I qualify in express entry system
L – 8
R – 7.5
S – 7
W – 5
Hi i got l-5.5
S-7
R-6.5
W-6.5
But my spouse secured
L-6.5
R-5.5
W-5.5
S-6..
I am the principal applicant..am i eligible for pr case..kindly guide
dear sir/madam
i have 5 years experience in Dominos pizza as a store manager in Australia.
Have business management diploma from Brisbane Australia.
I also have job offer letter from canada (BC) in pizza shop.
my ielts score is Listening 6.5 speaking 6.5 Reading 6 Writing 5.5 overall 6 bands
am i eligible to apply P.R or any work visa for canada?
please let me know
Thanking you
sumit
Dear Sir,
I am a Registered Nurse (GNM Nurse) from India and Having 7+ Years experience in INDIA only.
I got Below Scores in IELTS.
R:5.5
L: 6
W: 6
S:5.5.
OVERALL : 6.
Can I put a file for Canada PR in any Province?
Please Update me the Proper Information.
Thanks and Reg
Komal Patel
Nurse
India.