Express Entry

Express Entry is Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) online system for managing applications for permanent residence under Canada's main federal economic immigration programs. It uses a points-based Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank candidates and issue Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to the highest-ranked candidates.

The three federal programs managed through Express Entry are the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) also participate in Express Entry — a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, effectively guaranteeing an ITA in a subsequent draw.

Candidates create an Express Entry profile and are placed in a pool. IRCC conducts draws from the pool on a regular basis (typically every two weeks), issuing ITAs to candidates above a certain CRS cut-off score. Invited candidates have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application. The target processing time for Express Entry applications is six months. Since 2023, IRCC has also conducted category-based draws targeting specific occupations (healthcare, STEM, trades) and French-language proficiency, in addition to general draws.