Express Entry

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa / Program name	Express Entry (CEC, FSWP, FSTP)
Immigration status	Permanent residence
Stay duration	Indefinite (permanent residence)
Application cost	Processing, RPRF, and biometrics ($85–$170 CAD)
Processing times	Varies by program
Eligibility timing	60 days to submit ITA application
Work rights	Full work rights upon approval
Study rights	Not stated in the source
Medicare / Healthcare	Must pass Immigration Medical Exam
Travel facility	Requires valid passport/travel document
Citizenship pathway	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship / Inclusion	Spouse, partner, and dependent children included
Visa record / Profile validity	Profile valid 12 months in pool

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Purpose & Overview

Express Entry is an online points-based management system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to process permanent residence applications from skilled workers across three economic immigration programs:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For skilled workers with Canadian work experience.
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): For skilled workers with foreign or Canadian work experience.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For workers qualified in a skilled trade.

Eligible candidates can also apply through Express Entry for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which awards additional points.

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Program Eligibility Criteria

1. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

• Work Experience: At least 1 year (1,560 hours) of paid skilled work in Canada within the last 3 years under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 while holding authorized temporary resident status. Self-employment and work completed during full-time studies do not count (with an exemption for certain foreign national physicians providing publicly funded services).
• Language Benchmark: Minimum CLB/NCLC 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs; minimum CLB/NCLC 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs.
• Education: None required to be eligible (points available for credentials).
• Job Offer: Not required.
• Proof of Funds: Not required.

2. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

• Work Experience: At least 1 year of continuous, paid, skilled work (1,560 hours) in Canada or abroad within the last 10 years in your primary occupation (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3).
• Language Benchmark: Minimum CLB/NCLC 7 in all four abilities for the first official language; CLB/NCLC 5 to earn second language points.
• Education: Minimum Canadian secondary (high school) credential or foreign equivalent with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
• Selection Factors: Must score at least 67 out of 100 points across six selection factors: Language (max 28), Education (max 25), Experience (max 15), Age (max 12), Arranged Employment (max 10), and Adaptability (max 10).
• Proof of Funds: Required unless legally authorized to work in Canada and holding a valid job offer.

3. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

• Work Experience: At least 2 years (3,120 hours) of full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid work experience in an eligible skilled trade within the last 5 years after qualifying to practice. Student work does not count.
  • Eligible NOC Groups: Major Groups 72 (except 726), 73, 82, 83, 92, 93 (except 932); Minor Group 6320; Unit Group 62200.
• Job Offer or Qualification: Either a valid full-time job offer for at least 1 year (from up to 2 employers) or a Canadian certificate of qualification issued by a provincial, territorial, or federal authority.
• Language Benchmark: Minimum CLB/NCLC 5 for speaking and listening; CLB/NCLC 4 for reading and writing.
• Education: None required to be eligible.
• Proof of Funds: Required unless legally working in Canada with a valid job offer.

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Key Requirements & Evidence

Language Testing

• Approved tests: CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training (One Skill Retake not accepted), PTE Core, TEF Canada, and TCF Canada.
• Results must be less than 2 years old when submitting the profile and the application for permanent residence.

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

• Required for foreign credentials to qualify under FSWP or to claim Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.
• Must be designated for immigration purposes and less than 5 years old at application.
• Designated bodies: CES, ICAS, WES, IQAS, ICES, CACB (Architects), MCC (Physicians), PEBC (Pharmacists).

Job Offers & Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA)

• Job offers must be in writing, non-seasonal, full-time (minimum 30 hours/week), and for at least 1 year.
• Note: As of March 25, 2025, CRS points for job offers are removed, but job offers remain relevant for program eligibility requirements.
• Most job offers require a positive LMIA unless the applicant meets specific LMIA-exempt criteria (such as international agreements, federal-provincial agreements, or significant Canadian interest) and has worked for that employer for at least 1 year.

Proof of Funds (Settlement Funds)

Updated annually (50% of LICO). Required for FSWP and FSTP applicants without authorized Canadian employment and a valid job offer.

Number of Family Members	Minimum Funds (CAD) (Updated July 7, 2025)
1	$15,263
2	$19,001
3	$23,360
4	$28,362
5	$32,168
6	$36,280
7	$40,392
Each additional member	$4,112

• Evidence: Official bank letters on letterhead detailing accounts, opening dates, current balances, average 6-month balances, and outstanding debts.
• Rules: Funds must be unencumbered and accessible; real estate equity or borrowed money cannot be used.

Police Certificates

• Required for the applicant and all family members aged 18 and older.
• Must cover any country lived in for 6 consecutive months or longer in the past 10 years (excluding Canada and periods before age 18).
• Certificate for the current country of residence must be issued no more than 6 months before submission. For other countries, issued after the last stay of 6+ months.

Medical Examination

• Must complete an Immigration Medical Exam (IME) through an approved IRCC panel physician for the primary applicant and all accompanying/non-accompanying family members.

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Application Steps

1. Prepare Documents: Obtain language test results, ECA reports (if foreign-educated), valid passport, and proof of work experience.
2. Create Profile: Submit an online profile via an IRCC secure account. Profiles remain valid in the Express Entry pool for up to 12 months (must be completed within 60 days of starting).
3. Invitation to Apply (ITA): Rounds of invitations issue ITAs to top-ranking candidates based on CRS scores. Multiple-program eligibility is prioritized in order: CEC, FSWP, then FSTP.
4. Submit Application: If invited, submit the complete permanent residence application, upload all documents, and pay fees within 60 days.
5. Biometrics: Provide fingerprints and photo within 30 days of receiving the biometrics instruction letter ($85 CAD individual / $170 CAD family maximum).
6. Bridging Work Permit: If currently working in Canada and the work permit is expiring while awaiting PR processing, applicants may apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).

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Settlement & Inadmissibility Conditions

• Quebec Destination: Express Entry is for applicants intending to live outside the province of Quebec.
• Provincial Nominees: Must settle in the specific province or territory that nominated them.
• Admissibility: Applicants must be medically, criminally, and security admissible to Canada.
• Document Translation: Non-English or non-French documents require certified translations, certified copies, or authorized affidavits.
• Misrepresentation Warning: Providing false or misleading information will result in refusal, finding of inadmissibility, and a 5-year ban from applying to enter Canada.