Canada PR through Express Entry
Express Entry is the online system Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses to manage PR applications for skilled workers. You create a profile, get a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and may be invited to apply for PR in a draw. It covers three programmes: Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades.
Who is Express Entry for?
- Graduates with at least one year of skilled work experience (Federal Skilled Worker).
- People with skilled work experience in Canada (Canadian Experience Class).
- Qualified tradespeople with a job offer or certificate (Federal Skilled Trades).
What decides my CRS score?
- Age, education and language test scores.
- Skilled work experience, in Canada and abroad.
- Spouse or partner's education, language and Canadian experience.
- Extra points for a provincial nomination, French skills, Canadian study or a sibling in Canada.
IRCC also runs category-based draws for certain occupations and French speakers. Draw sizes and cut-off scores change every round.
Which English or French test do I need?
IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General or PTE Core for English; TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French. Results must be less than two years old when you apply. Higher scores add many CRS points.
What does it cost and how long does it take?
Government fees (processing fee and right of permanent residence fee) are listed on the IRCC fees page and change from time to time. You also pay for the language test, education credential assessment, medical exams and police certificates. Our fee is agreed in writing before we start. IRCC publishes current processing times on its website.
Step by step
- Take an approved language test and get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign degrees.
- Check eligibility for at least one programme and create your Express Entry profile.
- Wait in the pool; improve your score where possible (language, French, provincial nomination).
- If invited, submit a complete PR application within the deadline.
- Give biometrics, complete medicals and respond to any IRCC requests.
- Receive confirmation of PR and plan your landing.
Documents checklist
- Passport for you and each family member.
- Language test results and ECA report.
- Reference letters for each job: title, duties, hours, salary and dates, on company letterhead.
- Proof of funds (bank letters) unless exempt.
- Police certificates for each country where you lived six months or more since age 18.
- Marriage certificate and birth certificates for children.
Common reasons for refusal
- Work experience letters that do not match the job duties claimed.
- Missing or expired documents, or proof of funds that dips below the required amount.
- Incorrect information in the profile compared with the final application.
- Undeclared previous refusals or family members.