For many people hoping to build a new life in Canada 🇨🇦, the Express Entry system is the main path to permanent residence. This process is managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and it’s designed to select skilled workers who can help the country’s economy. If you’re thinking about applying through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, or the Canadian Experience Class, it’s important to know exactly how Express Entry works, what steps you need to take, and what you can expect at each stage.
This guide will walk you through the entire journey, from checking if you’re eligible to finally receiving your permanent resident status. Along the way, you’ll find clear explanations, estimated timeframes, and practical advice to help you avoid common mistakes and manage your expectations.
Understanding Express Entry and Recent Changes
Express Entry is not a program itself, but a system that manages applications for three main immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): For people with skilled work experience outside Canada 🇨🇦.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For people with experience in skilled trades.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For people who already have skilled work experience in Canada 🇨🇦.
Since its launch in 2015, Express Entry has changed several times. In 2025, IRCC made some important updates:
- Priority for Education, Healthcare, and Trades: The system now gives more attention to people with experience in these fields. If you work in education, healthcare, or a trade, you might have a better chance of being selected.
- STEM and Transport Jobs: Many science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), and transport jobs are no longer targeted in special draws. If you’re in these fields, you’ll need to qualify through general draws or look at Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Favored: People who have already worked in Canada 🇨🇦 as temporary workers may find it easier to get permanent residence.
- French-Speaking Candidates: There are special draws for people who speak French and want to live outside Quebec.
- Higher Settlement Funds: As of July 7, 2025, you need to show more money to prove you can support yourself. For example, a single applicant must show at least $15,263 CAD.
Step 1: Check If You’re Eligible
Before you start, you need to make sure you qualify for one of the Express Entry programs. The easiest way is to use the Come to Canada tool on the official IRCC website. This tool asks you questions about your age, education, work experience, language skills, and other factors. Based on your answers, it tells you if you’re likely to be eligible.
You can also talk to an immigration expert if you’re not sure about your situation. Remember, each program has its own rules. For example, the Federal Skilled Worker Program requires at least one year of skilled work experience, while the Canadian Experience Class is for people who have already worked in Canada 🇨🇦.
Estimated Timeframe: Checking eligibility usually takes less than an hour if you use the online tool.
Step 2: Gather All Required Documents
You can’t create an Express Entry profile without certain documents. It’s best to collect everything before you start, so you don’t have to stop and look for missing papers later. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Passport or Travel Document: Make sure it’s valid.
- Language Test Results: You must take an approved English or French test. For English, the IELTS or CELPIP tests are accepted. For French, you can take the TEF or TCF. Your test results must be less than two years old.
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): If you studied outside Canada 🇨🇦, you need an ECA to show your education is equal to a Canadian degree or diploma. You can get this from organizations like WES or ICAS.
- Proof of Funds: You must show you have enough money to support yourself and your family. The amount depends on your family size. As of July 7, 2025, a single person needs at least $15,263 CAD. If you have a spouse or children, the amount is higher.
- Provincial Nomination (if applicable): If you’ve been nominated by a province or territory, you’ll need your nomination certificate.
- Written Job Offer (if applicable): If you have a job offer from a Canadian employer, you’ll need a copy of the offer letter.
Estimated Timeframe: Gathering documents can take a few days to several weeks, especially if you need to wait for your ECA or language test results.
Step 3: Create Your IRCC Secure Account
To start your Express Entry profile, you need an online account with IRCC. Go to the IRCC website and follow the steps to sign up. You’ll need an email address and you’ll create a password. This account is where you’ll fill out your profile, get updates, and receive messages from IRCC.
Estimated Timeframe: Setting up your account usually takes about 15-30 minutes.
Step 4: Fill Out Your Personal Details
Once your account is ready, you’ll start your Express Entry profile. The first section asks for your personal information:
- Name (as it appears on your passport)
- Date of birth
- Marital status
- Country of birth
- Contact details (address, phone, email)
Make sure everything matches your official documents. Mistakes here can cause delays or problems later.
Estimated Timeframe: Filling out this section takes about 10-20 minutes.
Step 5: Complete the Profile Sections
The Express Entry profile has several sections. You must fill out each one carefully:
A. Study and Languages
- List all your education, including schools, colleges, and universities.
- Enter your language test scores. You’ll need the test report number and the date you took the test.
B. Work History
- List every job you’ve had in the last 10 years.
- For each job, include the job title, employer, start and end dates, and a short description of your duties.
- Use the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code that matches your job. You can find the right code on the NOC website.
C. Application Details
- If you have a valid job offer, enter the details.
- If you have a provincial nomination, upload your certificate.
- Answer questions about your family, travel history, and any criminal or medical issues.
Estimated Timeframe: Completing all sections can take 1-2 hours if you have all your documents ready.
Step 6: Submit Your Profile
After you finish all sections, review your answers carefully. Make sure everything is correct and matches your documents. When you’re ready, submit your profile. You’ll get a confirmation message and a profile number.
Your profile is now in the Express Entry pool. This means you’re officially being considered for permanent residence.
Estimated Timeframe: Submitting your profile takes just a few minutes, but double-checking your answers is important.
Step 7: Keep Your Profile Up to Date
Your Express Entry profile must always be accurate. If anything changes—like your job, family size, or proof of funds—you must update your profile. As of July 28, 2025, you must update your proof of funds if you haven’t already. If you don’t, your profile could be removed from the pool.
Estimated Timeframe: Updates can be made anytime. It’s best to update your profile as soon as something changes.
What Happens Next?
Once your profile is in the pool, IRCC gives you a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This score is based on your age, education, work experience, language skills, job offers, and other factors. The higher your score, the better your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residence.
How CRS Scores Work
- Age: Younger applicants get more points.
- Education: Higher levels of education earn more points.
- Work Experience: More years of skilled work add to your score.
- Language Skills: Higher test scores in English or French mean more points.
- Job Offer or Provincial Nomination: These can add a lot of points to your score.
IRCC holds regular draws (usually every two weeks) and invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply for permanent residence. Sometimes, there are special draws for certain jobs or for French-speaking candidates.
Category-Based Draws
In 2025, IRCC started holding more draws for people in education, healthcare, and trades. If you work in these fields, you may have a better chance of being selected. STEM and transport jobs are no longer targeted, so people in those fields must rely on general draws or PNPs.
French-Speaking Candidates
If you speak French and want to live outside Quebec, you may be invited in special draws for Francophone candidates. This is part of Canada’s 🇨🇦 plan to welcome more French-speaking immigrants.
Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
If your CRS score is high enough, you’ll get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. This is a big step forward, but it’s not the end of the process.
What to Do After Receiving an ITA
- Accept the Invitation: You have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence.
- Gather More Documents: You may need police certificates, medical exams, and more detailed work history.
- Pay Fees: There are fees for processing your application and for the right of permanent residence.
- Submit Your Application: Use your IRCC account to upload all documents and pay fees.
Estimated Timeframe: You have 60 days from the date you receive your ITA to submit your application.
What Happens After You Apply
IRCC will review your application and documents. They may ask for more information or clarification. If everything is in order, they’ll approve your application and send you a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
Estimated Processing Time: Most applications are processed within 6 months, but it can take longer if there are issues or if IRCC needs more information.
Arriving in Canada 🇨🇦
Once you have your COPR, you can travel to Canada 🇨🇦 and become a permanent resident. At the border, you’ll show your documents to an immigration officer, who will check everything and officially grant you permanent resident status.
Practical Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Double-Check All Information: Mistakes in your profile can cause delays or rejection.
- Keep Documents Up to Date: Make sure your passport, language test results, and proof of funds are valid.
- Watch for Policy Changes: IRCC updates rules and requirements often. Check the official IRCC website for the latest news.
- Respond Quickly to IRCC Requests: If IRCC asks for more documents or information, reply as soon as possible.
- Consider Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): If your CRS score is low, look into PNPs, which can give you extra points.
How Policy Changes Affect Applicants
The 2025 changes to Express Entry mean that people in education, healthcare, and trades have a better chance than before. If you’re in STEM or transport jobs, you may need to look at other options, like PNPs. The higher settlement funds requirement also means you need to save more money before applying.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these changes are meant to help Canada 🇨🇦 fill important jobs and support its economy. However, they also mean that some people will need to adjust their plans or look for new ways to qualify.
What to Expect from Authorities
IRCC tries to process applications quickly, but delays can happen. Be patient and check your IRCC account regularly for updates. If you have questions, you can contact IRCC through their website or talk to a licensed immigration consultant.
Actionable Takeaways
- Start Early: Some documents, like ECAs and language tests, can take weeks or months to get.
- Stay Organized: Keep all your documents in one place and make copies.
- Update Your Profile: Don’t forget to update your proof of funds and any other changes.
- Check Your Email: IRCC will contact you through your account and email. Respond quickly.
- Prepare for Arrival: Once approved, learn about life in Canada 🇨🇦 and what you’ll need to do when you arrive.
By following these steps and staying informed, you can move through the Express Entry process with confidence. Remember, the journey to permanent residence takes time and effort, but with careful planning and attention to detail, you can achieve your goal of living and working in Canada 🇨🇦. For more information, always refer to the official IRCC website and trusted sources like VisaVerge.com.
Learn Today
Express Entry → A Canadian system managing skilled worker immigration applications for three main programs.
Federal Skilled Worker Program → An immigration program for skilled workers with experience outside Canada.
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) → A points-based method used to rank Express Entry candidates for permanent residence invitations.
Invitation to Apply (ITA) → An official invitation to submit a permanent residence application after scoring high in Express Entry.
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) → An evaluation verifying foreign education credentials are equivalent to Canadian standards.
This Article in a Nutshell
Canada’s Express Entry system selects skilled workers through three immigration programs. Recent 2025 changes prioritize education, healthcare, trades, and French speakers. Applicants must meet eligibility, prepare documents, create profiles, and await invitations, ensuring updated information throughout this competitive immigration pathway to permanent residence.
— By VisaVerge.com
