Express Entry in one paragraph
Express Entry is not a visa or a program on its own. It is the application management system for three federal economic programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST). Eligible candidates create a profile, receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score out of 1,270 and enter a pool. IRCC regularly invites the highest-ranked candidates to apply for permanent residence (PR).
The three programs inside Express Entry
| Program | Work experience | Minimum language | Other key rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker | 1 year continuous (1,560 hours) in TEER 0-3, last 10 years, in Canada or abroad | CLB 7 in all four skills | 67/100 on the FSW grid, education with ECA, proof of funds |
| Canadian Experience Class | 1 year (1,560 hours) in Canada in TEER 0-3, last 3 years | CLB 7 (TEER 0-1) or CLB 5 (TEER 2-3) | No education requirement, no proof of funds |
| Federal Skilled Trades | 2 years (3,120 hours) in an eligible trade, last 5 years | CLB 5 speaking/listening, CLB 4 reading/writing | 1-year job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification |
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are not a fourth program, but most provinces and territories run Express Entry-linked streams. A nomination from one of them adds 600 CRS points.
How Express Entry works, step by step
- Check eligibility. Answer IRCC's questionnaire or use our eligibility check. You must qualify for at least one of the three programs.
- Prepare documents. An approved language test (under 2 years old), an Educational Credential Assessment for foreign education (under 5 years old), and your work history by NOC code.
- Create your Express Entry profile. You have 60 days to complete and submit it once you start.
- Get your CRS score and wait in the pool. Your score is calculated from the grid in our CRS points table.
- Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) if your score is at or above the cut-off of a round you qualify for. See the latest draws.
- Submit your PR application within 60 days with police certificates, a medical exam, biometrics and fees. See after the ITA.
How candidates are ranked
Every profile gets a CRS score from age, education, language, Canadian work or a high-wage job offer, a spouse's profile and extra factors such as a provincial nomination or French ability. In each round IRCC sets a round type (all programs, CEC, PNP, French or an occupation category) and invites the top candidates. If several people share the cut-off score, the one who submitted their profile earliest is invited first.
What changed in 2026
On 3 November 2026 IRCC replaced separate Canadian work and arranged employment points with a labour market integration factor, rewarding work and job offers in 186 high-wage occupations. LMIAs are no longer needed for job offer points. From January to October 2026 IRCC issued 110,297 invitations in 53 rounds.
Frequently asked questions
Is Express Entry the same as Canada PR?
Express Entry is a route to permanent residence. If you are invited and your application is approved, you become a permanent resident.
How long is an Express Entry profile valid?
Up to 12 months. If you are not invited in that time you can create a new profile if you are still eligible.
Is there a minimum CRS score to enter the pool?
No. Any eligible candidate can enter the pool. The CRS only decides your rank, and each round has its own cut-off.
Can I apply to Express Entry from outside Canada?
Yes. The Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs are open to candidates abroad. The Canadian Experience Class needs Canadian work experience.
Want your own number? The CRS calculator scores your profile under the 3 November 2026 rules, or and download a PDF report.