Express Entry is Canada’s flagship system for selecting skilled workers for permanent residence. Introduced in January 2015 to replace the old “first come, first served” model, it has become the fastest and most popular route to Canadian permanent residence, with most complete applications processed within about six months.
Express Entry is not an immigration program in itself. It is an online application-management system that handles candidates applying under three federal economic programs – and, in many cases, provincial programs aligned with it. Candidates submit an online profile, receive a score, and the highest-ranked candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence.
On This Page, You Will Find:
- What Express Entry is and how it works
- The three federal programs managed through Express Entry
- How the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) ranks candidates
- Category-based selection draws in 2026
- Recent draw trends and invitation numbers
- How to apply, step by step
- Fees and processing times
- Frequently asked questions
How Express Entry Works
The process follows a clear sequence:
- You confirm you are eligible for at least one of the three federal programs.
- You submit an online Express Entry profile (an expression of interest) in your secure IRCC account.
- You are placed in the Express Entry pool and given a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
- IRCC holds regular rounds of invitations and invites the highest-ranked candidates.
- If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence.
The Three Federal Programs
Express Entry manages three economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) – for skilled workers with foreign work experience. See our guide to Federal Skilled Worker eligible occupations.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) – for qualified tradespeople with experience in specific skilled trades.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – for people who already have skilled Canadian work experience.
Eligibility for each program depends on factors such as age, education, work experience and language ability. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams that are linked to Express Entry can also lead to an invitation, and a provincial nomination adds a decisive 600 CRS points.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
The CRS is a points-based system, out of 1,200, used to rank candidates in the pool. Points are awarded for core human-capital factors (age, education, language ability and Canadian work experience), skill transferability, and additional factors such as a provincial nomination or a sibling in Canada.
An important change took effect in the spring of 2025: IRCC removed the additional CRS points previously awarded for a valid job offer. A job offer is therefore no longer needed to be competitive in Express Entry, though it can still help you meet program eligibility. You can estimate your score with our CRS Score Calculator and see a full breakdown in the Express Entry CRS grid.
Category-Based Selection Draws in 2026
Since 2023, IRCC has run category-based rounds that invite candidates with experience in priority occupations or strong French-language skills, often at a lower CRS score than general rounds. For 2026 there are ten active categories:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare and social services occupations
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
- Trade occupations
- Education occupations
- Transport occupations
- Physicians with Canadian work experience
- Senior managers with Canadian work experience
- Researchers with Canadian work experience
- Skilled military recruits
Occupation-based categories generally require at least 12 months of qualifying work experience in the past three years.
Recent Draw Trends
In 2026, IRCC has shifted heavily toward category-based and in-Canada (CEC and PNP) Express Entry draws to reduce the temporary-resident population and address labour needs. Cut-off scores vary widely by draw type – French-language rounds have gone as low as the high 300s, Canadian Experience Class rounds have sat around 500, and Provincial Nominee Program rounds run much higher because of the automatic 600-point nomination bonus. Because the timing, size and CRS cut-off of each draw are set by the minister and not announced in advance, candidates should focus on maximising their own score rather than trying to predict individual draws.
Fees and Processing Times
The main federal government fees for a principal applicant are the processing fee plus the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF), totalling $1,590, with additional amounts for a spouse and dependent children. You should also budget for language tests, an Educational Credential Assessment, medical exams, police certificates and proof of settlement funds. IRCC aims to process complete applications within six months, though times vary – see our page on Canada immigration processing times for current estimates.
How to Apply
To enter Express Entry: confirm your program eligibility, take an approved language test, obtain an ECA if you studied outside Canada, gather your documents, and create your profile online. Keep your profile accurate and up to date while you wait, and be ready to respond quickly if you receive an invitation. For a broader look at your options, see our overview of the many ways to immigrate to Canada.
Is Express Entry an immigration program?
No. Express Entry is an online system that manages applications for three federal economic programs – the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class. It also handles Provincial Nominee Program applications submitted through Express Entry-aligned streams.
Do I need a job offer for Express Entry?
No. A job offer is not required. In fact, IRCC removed the additional CRS points for a job offer in the spring of 2025, so a valid offer no longer boosts your ranking, although it may still help you qualify under a specific program.
What CRS score do I need to be invited?
There is no fixed threshold. The cut-off changes with every draw and depends on the draw type. General and program-specific rounds have often required scores in the 500s, while targeted category-based and French-language rounds can be considerably lower. A provincial nomination adds 600 points and effectively guarantees an invitation.
How long does Express Entry take?
IRCC aims to process complete permanent residence applications within about six months of receiving them. The time it takes to receive an invitation first depends on your CRS score and the draws IRCC holds.
How much does Express Entry cost?
Federal fees for a principal applicant total roughly CAD $1,590 (processing fee plus the Right of Permanent Residence Fee), with more for family members. Additional costs include language testing, credential assessment, medical exams and police certificates. Confirm current amounts on IRCC's official fee list before you apply.
Can a provincial nomination help my Express Entry profile?
Yes. A nomination from a Provincial Nominee Program stream aligned with Express Entry adds 600 CRS points, which in practice guarantees an invitation to apply in a subsequent round.
How can we help?
Am I an eligible candidate for Express Entry?
Complete our free online evaluation and we will provide our assessment within 1-2 business days.