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Express Entry
Last updated: 2026-09-17
Express Entry is the online system Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses to manage skilled immigration applications — it is not a program in itself. If you qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program, you can create a profile, receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and enter the candidate pool. IRCC holds regular rounds of invitations and invites the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence.
- Who it suits
- Skilled workers with good language results, and international graduates
- Job offer needed?
- No (except Federal Skilled Trades) — relevant experience is what counts, unless you need employer-supported nomination points
- Language requirement
- Competitive scores usually need more; the programs themselves require CLB 4–7
- Deadline after invitation
- 60 days
Official processing times
Taken from IRCC's own processing times tool and synced twice a month.
| Application type | Published processing time |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker | about 7 months |
| Canadian Experience Class | about 6 months |
| Provincial nominee — Express Entry | about 7 months |
IRCC data updated: October 9, 2026 · Synced by us: 2026-10-20
Processing times are IRCC's statistics on applications it has already finished — a guide, not a commitment. Individual files vary with document completeness, requests for more information and background checks. For applications where the time depends on where you file, only a few common locations are listed; use IRCC's tool for others.
Eligibility for the three programs
Meeting the requirements of any one program lets you enter the Express Entry pool. All three require you to plan to live outside Quebec.
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
- At least 1 year of continuous full-time (or 1,560 hours) skilled work (TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3) in the last 10 years
- CLB/NCLC 7 in all four abilities in your first official language
- Canadian education, or foreign education with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- At least 67 out of 100 points on the selection grid
- Proof of settlement funds (unless you can legally work in Canada and have a valid job offer)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- At least 1 year (1,560 hours) of skilled work (TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3) in Canada in the last 3 years, with legal temporary status
- CLB/NCLC 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs; CLB/NCLC 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs
- No education requirement
- No proof of funds required
- Self-employment and work while a full-time student do not count
Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
- At least 2 years of full-time (or 3,120 hours) work in an eligible skilled trade in the last 5 years
- Speaking and listening CLB/NCLC 5; reading and writing CLB/NCLC 4
- A full-time job offer of at least 1 year, or a Canadian certificate of qualification in your trade
- Proof of settlement funds (unless you can legally work in Canada and have a valid job offer)
Comprehensive Ranking System (1,200 points)
Once in the pool, your profile is scored on four parts. Higher scores are more likely to be invited.
| Section | Maximum points |
|---|---|
| Core human capital: age, education, language, Canadian work experience | 500 (460 with a spouse) |
| Spouse or partner: education, language, Canadian work experience | 40 |
| Skill transferability: education or foreign work combined with language or Canadian experience | 100 |
| Additional points: nomination, French, Canadian education, sibling in Canada | 600 |
Since March 25, 2025, job offers no longer earn CRS points.
Common additional points
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Provincial nomination | 600 |
| French NCLC 7+ in all abilities and English CLB 5+ in all abilities | 50 |
| French NCLC 7+ in all abilities with English CLB 4 or lower | 25 |
| Post-secondary education in Canada, 3 years or more | 30 |
| Post-secondary education in Canada, 1–2 years | 15 |
| Sibling who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident | 15 |
Recent Express Entry draws
Live data from IRCC showing the category, number of invitations and minimum CRS score of the most recent rounds.
| Draw date | Category | Invitations | Minimum CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-28 | Transport Occupations | 150 | 477 |
| 2026-10-27 | French-Language proficiency | 5,000 | 407 |
| 2026-10-26 | Provincial Nominee Program | 792 | 761 |
| 2026-10-16 | French-Language proficiency | 5,000 | 435 |
| 2026-10-15 | Canadian Experience Class | 2,500 | 519 |
| 2026-10-13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 752 | 772 |
| 2026-10-01 | Trades Occupations | 3,500 | 476 |
| 2026-09-29 | Canadian Experience Class | 2,000 | 518 |
Cut-offs vary widely by category: Provincial Nominee draws are the highest because a nomination adds 600 points, while category-based draws such as French language are usually lower than general draws.
See all rounds of invitations on IRCC →French-language category draws
Besides general draws, IRCC holds category-based draws for specific groups. Strong French speakers can be invited through the French-language category — an important route for francophone candidates.
- NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities
- Meet the requirements of FSW, CEC or FST
- French tests: TEF Canada or TCF Canada; English tests: CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training or PTE Core; results must be under 2 years old
- French can also add up to 50 CRS points
- Other 2026 categories include health care and social services, STEM, trades, education, transport, and physicians, senior managers and researchers with Canadian experience
- Occupation categories require at least 1 year of experience in an eligible occupation in the last 3 years
How to apply
- 1
Check eligibility and prepare
Take an approved language test (results valid for 2 years), get an ECA for foreign education, and identify the NOC code and TEER level of your work experience.
- 2
Create your Express Entry profile
Submit your profile in your IRCC account to receive a CRS score. Profiles are valid for 12 months.
- 3
Receive an invitation to apply (ITA)
IRCC holds general, program-specific and category-based draws. You can also pursue a provincial nomination for 600 extra points while in the pool.
- 4
Apply for permanent residence within 60 days
Submit a complete online application within 60 days, including medical exam, police certificates, proof of work experience and proof of funds.
- 5
Approval and landing
Once approved, you receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and complete landing in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply without a Canadian job offer?+
Yes. FSW and CEC don't require a job offer; only FST needs a job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification. Since March 25, 2025, job offers no longer add CRS points.
What if my CRS score isn't high enough?+
Common ways to improve include a higher English score, adding French, your spouse's language results and education, more Canadian work experience, and a provincial nomination (600 points). Every case differs, so get an assessment before planning.
Express Entry may be reformed — should I still apply?+
The proposed reform is not in effect and has no announced start date, so applications are still assessed under FSW, CEC and FST. We follow IRCC's official announcements and can help you judge your timing.
How long are language results valid?+
Results must be under 2 years old both when you create your profile and when you apply for permanent residence. English: CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training or PTE Core. French: TEF Canada or TCF Canada.
Wondering whether you qualify?
Contact us for an assessment and plan tailored to your background.
Book a consultationThis page summarizes official information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for general reference only. Immigration rules change often, so always check IRCC's latest requirements. Every case is different — contact us for an assessment of your situation.
Sources (IRCC official website)
- IRCC: Federal Skilled Worker Program
- IRCC: Canadian Experience Class
- IRCC: Federal Skilled Trades Program
- IRCC: Comprehensive Ranking System criteria
- IRCC: Rounds of invitations
- IRCC: Language requirements
- IRCC: Category-based selection
- IRCC: Apply for permanent residence
- IRCC: 2026 consultation on Express Entry reforms