How Does Express Entry Work?

Express Entry is the system IRCC uses to manage applications for permanent residence under three federal economic immigration programs, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST), and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program. Candidates create an online profile, receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and enter a pool. IRCC holds rounds of invitations throughout the year, inviting the highest-scoring candidates to apply for permanent residence. Category-based rounds, introduced in 2023, invite candidates with specific occupations or French-language ability, and rank them by CRS score within the category. IRCC's service standard is 180 days for 80% of complete applications; confirm current processing times on canada.ca.

Track the latest Express Entry draw results and CRS cutoffs, updated after every IRCC draw round.

Since June 2023, IRCC has conducted category-based draws that invite candidates in specific occupational or linguistic categories. Candidates are still ranked by CRS within a category. IRCC chooses the categories using labour market information and reports to Parliament on them each year; the categories in place for 2026 (announced February 18, 2026) are:

• Healthcare and social services occupations
• STEM occupations
• Trade occupations
• Education occupations
• French-language proficiency
• New for 2026: physicians with Canadian work experience, senior managers with Canadian work experience, researchers with Canadian work experience, transport occupations, and skilled military recruits

IRCC identifies the candidates eligible for a category from their Express Entry profile data: NOC codes, language test scores, etc. You do not need to specifically apply for a category draw.

1. 01

   Improve your language score

   Retake IELTS, CELPIP, PTE Core, or TEF/TCF to reach CLB 9+ in all 4 abilities. Going from CLB 8 to CLB 9 in all four abilities adds 32 core points for a single applicant (28 with a partner), and more through skill transferability.

2. 02

   Add a second official language score

   If English is your first language, a French score (TEF/TCF) earns second-language points of 1, 3 or 6 per ability (up to 24, or 22 with a partner). French at NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities also adds 25 or 50 additional points. French speakers can add English scores.

3. 03

   Get a provincial nomination (PNP)

   A PNP nomination adds 600 points, which puts the candidate near the top of the pool for the provincial nominee rounds; IRCC still decides. Apply to PNPs matching your profile while in the Express Entry pool.

4. 04

   Understand how a job offer affects your profile

   Since November 3, 2026, a qualifying job offer adds 100, 70 or 50 CRS points only if the occupation is on the IRCC high-wage list, and those points do not stack on top of Canadian work experience points: the CRS counts whichever is greater. An offer outside the list adds 0. A qualifying offer can still help you meet eligibility for some programs and may support a provincial nomination. Confirm current rules on canada.ca.

5. 05

   Gain Canadian work experience

   Each year of Canadian skilled work experience, up to five, adds CRS points. Going from 0 to 1 year adds 40 points for a single applicant (35 with a partner), and each further year adds more. Since November 3, 2026, at least 12 months in occupations on the IRCC high-wage list adds 70, 40 or 20 more points.

6. 06

   Complete a Canadian degree, diploma, or certificate

   A 3-year+ Canadian post-secondary credential adds 30 bonus points. A 1 or 2 year credential adds 15.

7. 07

   Improve your education level

   If your ECA only assessed a 3-year degree and you have a Master's or PhD, ensure your full credentials are submitted and assessed correctly.

8. 08

   Include a spouse with strong credentials

   If your spouse has high language scores, education, or Canadian work experience, their profile may add up to 40 additional CRS points.

9. 09

   Have a sibling in Canada

   A brother or sister who is a Canadian citizen or PR, is 18 or older and lives in Canada adds 15 points to your CRS score.

10. 10

    Target category-based draws

    If your NOC matches a targeted category (such as healthcare, STEM, trades or transport) or you have strong French, you may be invited in a category round, where cut-offs have often run lower than in other rounds.

Your results must be less than 2 years old both when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your application for permanent residence. IRCC accepts five tests: CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training (not the IELTS One Skill Retake) and PTE Core for English, and TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French.

If you were educated outside Canada, you need an ECA to have your credentials recognized for Express Entry. An ECA verifies that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate is valid and equal to a Canadian one. Designated organizations include:

• World Education Services (WES)
• International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)
• Comparative Education Service (CES): University of Toronto
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
• International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
• Medical Council of Canada (MCC), for doctors whose primary occupation is NOC 31100, 31101 or 31102

ECA processing times vary by organization; check the processing time on the designated organization's website. Start early: you need an ECA for education completed outside Canada to be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program as the principal applicant, or to earn CRS points for that education.