Overview

The Express Entry system in Canada manages how people with skilled work experience apply to immigrate to Canada. The system manages applications for permanent residence under the following federal economic immigration programs:

• the Federal Skilled Worker Program,
• the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and
• the Canadian Experience Class.

Provinces and territories are also able to recruit candidates from the Express Entry system through their Provincial Nominee Programs to meet local labour market needs.

The Process

Step 1) Potential candidates complete an online Express Entry profile

Potential candidates will complete an online Express Entry profile where they provide information on the following:

• skills,
• work experience,
• language ability,
• education, and
• other details that will help the government assess them.

Candidates who meet the criteria of one of the federal immigration programs will be accepted into a pool of candidates.

Step 2) The highest-ranking candidates in the pool will be invited to apply for permanent residence

Candidates will then be ranked against others in the pool using a point-based system.

An Invitation to Apply will be issued to candidates with the highest scores in the pool. Candidates will be awarded points for:

• a job offer, and/or
• a nomination from a province or territory, and/or
• skills and experience factors.

Additional points can be awarded for:

• a job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment, or
• a nomination by a province or territory.

If a candidate is invited to apply, they will have 60 days to submit an online application for permanent residence.

A majority of applications are processed in six months or less.

For further information regarding the procedures for applying for permanent residence under Express Entry, please contact our office.