Canada Express Entry

Permanent residency in Canada through scoring points

If you’re looking to get permanent residency in Canada, you’ve probably heard of the term Express Entry Canada; a system that transformed Canada’s immigration methods.

In the Express Entry system, applicants are assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors like work experience, language proficiency, job, education level, and more.

Those with the highest scores have a better chance of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

Conditions for Express Entry Canada

To register for the Express Entry system and create an account, you must meet the criteria for one of the three main Express Entry programs:

Federal Skilled Worker

At least one year of work experience in skilled occupations

A language score of at least CLB 7

A minimum of 67 points in this program

Canadian Experience

At least one year of work experience in Canada in skilled occupations

A language score appropriate to the level of work experience

Federal Skilled Trades

At least two years of work experience in Canada’s required technical occupations

A job offer or a certificate of qualification from Canada

A language score appropriate to the level of work experience

Provincial Immigration Programs

Meeting the requirements of one of the other three programs

Satisfying the criteria of the relevant province

Express Entry Canada Points System

Points Factor	Maximum Points for Single Applicants	Maximum Points for Married Applicants
Human and Skill Factors (Age, Language, Education, and Work Experience)	500	460
Human and Skill Factors of Spouse of Applicant	–	40
Transferability Factors	100	100
Other Factors like Provincial Nomination or Job Offer	600	600
Total Points	1,200	1,200

Age Conditions

Age	Principal Applicant Married Maximum Points: 110	Principal Applicant Single Maximum Points: 110
17 or less	0	0
18	90	99
19	95	105
20-29	100	110
30	95	105
31	90	99
32	85	94
33	80	88
34	75	83
35	70	77
36	65	72
37	60	66
38	55	61
39	50	55
40	45	50
41	35	39
42	25	28
43	15	17
44	5	6
45 or more	0	0

Education Level

Education Level	Married Applicant Maximum 140 points for the primary applicant and 10 points for the spouse	Single Applicant Maximum points: 150
High School Diploma	Primary applicant: 28 points and Spouse: 2 points	30
One-Year Program After High School	Primary applicant: 84 points and Spouse: 6 points	90
Two-Year Program After High School	Primary applicant: 91 points and Spouse: 7 points	98
Bachelor's Degree or a Three-Year Program or More After High School	Primary applicant: 112 points and Spouse: 8 points	120
Two or More Educational Qualifications After High School at least one of which must be from a program that is at least three years long	Primary applicant: 119 points and Spouse: 9 points	128
Master’s Degree or Specialized Internship Program	Primary applicant: 126 points and Spouse: 10 points	135
Doctorate	Primary applicant: 140 points and Spouse: 10 points	150

Language Skills

First Foreign Language Skill (English or French)

CLB Level	Married Applicant:Maximum 128 points for the primary applicant and 20 points for the spouse	Single Applicant:Maximum points: 136
CLB 4	For each skill: Primary applicant: 6 points and Spouse: 0 points	6
CLB 5	For each skill:Primary applicant: 6 points and Spouse: 1 point	6
CLB 6	For each skill:Primary applicant: 8 points and Spouse: 1 point	9
CLB 7	For each skill:Primary applicant: 16 points and Spouse: 3 points	17
CLB 8	For each skill:Primary applicant: 22 points and Spouse: 3 points	23
CLB 9	For each skill:Primary applicant: 29 points and Spouse: 5 points	31
CLB 10 and above	For each skill:Primary applicant: 32 points and Spouse: 5 points	34

Second Foreign Language Skill (English or French)

CLB Level	Married Applicant Maximum Points: 22	Single Applicant Maximum Points: 24
CLB 5 or 6	1 point for each skill	1 point for each skill
CLB 7 or 8	3 points for each skill	3 points for each skill
CLB 9 or higher	6 points for each skill	6 points for each skill

The foreign language proficiency certificate for the main applicant and their spouse counts for points. The second foreign language certificate only counts for the main applicant.

Each test has its own scoring system that can be converted to CLB levels. To convert the scores of different language certificates to CLB, the scores of each skill must be checked. According to the tables provided below, you can calculate your score.

Accepted language tests:

English language

CELPIP General test score (CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program). Note that the CELPIP General-LS test is not accepted.

IELTS General test score (IELTS: International English Language Testing System)

PTE Core test score

French language

TEF Canada certificate (TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français)

TCF Canada certificate (TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français)

Note that TOEFL and Duolingo certificates are not accepted for the Express Entry program.

Example: Pejman has an IELTS General certificate with a score of 6 in all skills. Therefore, he was able to score 64 points. His spouse, Farzaneh, has scores of 7 in all skills and 8 in Listening on the IELTS General test. Farzaneh was also able to score 20 points. The first language score for Pejman and Farzaneh’s application is equivalent to 84.

Work experience in Canada

Canadian work experience	Married applicant:A maximum of 70 points for the main applicant and 10 points for the spouse	Single applicant:Maximum points: 80
Less than a year	0	0
1 year	Main applicant: 35 points and Spouse: 5 points	40
2 years	Main applicant: 46 points and Spouse: 7 points	53
3 years	Main applicant: 56 points and Spouse: 8 points	64
4 years	Main applicant: 63 points and Spouse: 9 points	72
5 years or more	Main applicant: 70 points and Spouse: 10 points	80

This work experience must be full-time and at least 30 hours a week. Additionally, work while studying in Canada cannot be counted as work experience.

Transferable factors (combined)

In this section, if the applicant has some of the previously mentioned factors together, they can receive a maximum of 100 points. There are 5 combinations in this scoring system, with 50 points assigned for each combination. Even if you earn more than 100 points in these combinations, the maximum that will be awarded is still 100 points.

In this area, no points are given for the spouse of the applicant.

Combination of education and language level

Anyone with a language level higher than CLB 7 will receive extra points based on their educational qualifications according to the table below.

Qualification	CLB 7 or CLB 8 in all language skills	CLB 9 or higher in all language skills
One-year or more post-diploma course	13	25
Two post-diploma qualifications one of which is for a program of at least three years	25	50
Master's degree or professional internship	25	50
Doctorate	25	50

Example: Ehsan has a doctorate in international law. He has also scored 7 in all skills and 8 in Listening on the General IELTS test. Therefore, 50 points will be added to his application.

Combination of education and Canadian work experience

If the applicant has Canadian work experience, they will receive extra points based on their educational qualifications.

Qualification	1 year of Canadian work experience	2 years of Canadian work experience or more
One-year or more post-diploma course	13	25
Two post-diploma qualifications one of which is for a program of at least three years	25	50
Master's degree or professional internship	25	50
Doctorate	25	50

Language proficiency and foreign work experience

If an applicant has a language level higher than CLB 7, they receive additional points based on the amount of foreign work experience they have.

Work experience	CLB 7 and above in all language skills	CLB 9 and above in all language skills
1 or 2 years of foreign work experience	13	25
3 years or more of foreign work experience	25	50

Example: Mahsa has 3 years of experience as an administrative expert in a trading company in Iran. She has achieved a general IELTS score of 6.5 in all skills and 7.5 in Listening. This adds 25 points to her application.

Combination of Canadian and foreign work experience

Someone with both Canadian work experience and foreign work experience will receive additional points based on that experience.

	1 year of Canadian work experience	2 years of Canadian work experience or more
1 or 2 years of foreign work experience	13	25
3 years or more of foreign work experience	25	50

Combination of vocational education and language proficiency

If an applicant has a language skill level higher than CLB 5 and a valid vocational certificate, they receive additional points.

Vocational certificate	CLB 5 and above in all language skills	CLB 7 and above in all language skills
Vocational certificate	25	50

Additional points

Applicants can receive up to 600 points from various criteria as shown in the table below.

Additional Points	Points for All Applicants
Provincial nomination from any province other than Quebec	600
Job offer from a Canadian employer under NOC code 00	200
Job offer from a Canadian employer at TEER levels 1 2 3 or TEER 0 (excluding NOC 00 jobs)	50
Having a sibling who is a permanent resident or citizen of Canada currently living in Canada	15
Having a French language proficiency of CLB 7 or higher in all skills and having an English language proficiency of CLB 4 or lower (or no English language certificate)	25
Having a French language proficiency of CLB 7 or higher in all skills and having an English language proficiency of CLB 5 or higher in all skills	50
One or two years of post-secondary education in Canada	15
Three years or more of post-secondary education in Canada	30

Those applying with their spouse receive fewer points compared to those who are single. However, the points deducted for being married can be compensated by the points that the spouse earns. For example, if the spouse has a language certificate or education, this point deduction will be offset.

For individuals who are about to get married, the main applicant can create an Express Entry profile and then get married after receiving the invitation and submitting the documents, adding their spouse to the application. In this case, there will be no deduction from the application score. However, the processing of the application may take a bit longer.

Necessary documents for Canada’s Express Entry visa

To immigrate through Express Entry, you need to submit the following documents to obtain your Express Entry visa. All required documents for this program must be uploaded online in the system, and paper copies are not necessary.

Note that if the documents are in a language other than English or French, they must be translated, and along with the translation, a certificate or authorization from the translator and a certified copy of the original document must also be submitted.

Express Entry Financial Proof

The amount of financial proof for Express Entry varies depending on the number of family members. This letter should be on bank letterhead and include the account number, account holder’s name, account opening date, a list of all debts and account installments, current balance, average balance over the last 6 months, and also the bank’s contact information.

For applicants of the Canadian Experience Class and those with a job offer, there is no need to provide the specified amount of financial proof. Instead, financial stability can be proven with bank statements, employment letters, and pay slips.

Number of Family Members	Financial Proof Amount (CAD)
1	$14690
2	$18288
3	$22483
4	$27297
5	$30690
6	$34917
7	$38875
For each additional person	$3958

Language Test

The language test approved by the immigration department is required for the principal applicant and spouse (if points have been scored through the spouse’s language score).

Identification Documents

The main applicant’s and spouse’s and children’s passports, marriage or divorce certificate, or death certificate of one of the spouses (if the main applicant is married, divorced, or one of the spouses has passed away). Also, if you have a child, their birth certificate must be provided. Additionally, a recent photo of all family members must be submitted.

If you have received points through a relative in Canada, you must also provide documents proving your familial relationship with them, documents proving the relative’s citizenship or permanent residency, and proof of the relative’s residency in Canada.

Educational Credentials

The educational degree and transcripts of the applicant and their spouse (if they have studied outside Canada) along with an educational credential assessment certificate.

Criminal Record Certificate

A criminal record certificate for the applicant, their spouse, and children over 18 years old. This certificate must be obtained from every country where you have lived for more than 6 months.

The criminal record certificate is one of the most important documents for the immigration office. Be sure to obtain this letter from the relevant authority. For Iranians inside Iran, this certificate should be obtained from the Sana system or from the police+10 centers.

Many individuals’ applications have been rejected at this stage due to failure to submit the original criminal record certificate or other necessary conditions.

Medical Examination Documents

The applicant, their spouse, and children must undergo medical examinations known as Medical Exams. These exams check whether you or your family have any contagious diseases or conditions that could incur heavy costs for Canada’s healthcare system. These tests are valid for one year.

Employment Documents

A work experience letter for the applicant and their spouse. This work experience letter should include the job title, name, address and phone number of the workplace, number of hours worked, annual salary, and also a summary of duties performed at that company. If you have a job offer letter from a Canadian employer, you must upload that as well.

For the Canadian Experience Class program, you should also provide the NOA letter, T4 tax slips, and pay stubs from your work in Canada.

Steps for Canada's Express Entry

To immigrate through Express Entry, you must follow the steps below.

Step One: Creating an Account in the Express Entry System

To register for Express Entry in Canada, you first need to create an account on the GCKey website. After that, you’ll open your profile by entering various details about your education, work experience, language skills, and personal information.

The Express Entry system automatically assesses your eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program based on the information provided. If you meet the requirements for any of these programs, your profile gets entered into a virtual pool. Your score is calculated based on your education, language qualifications, and work experience and then placed into this pool.

Step Two: Receiving an Invitation to Apply for Express Entry Canada

Profiles swim around in this virtual pool until the immigration department “snags” them!

Depending on the immigration department’s needs, draws or selections are held several times a year, usually every two weeks, where they choose individuals with the desired scores. Sometimes, the immigration department holds separate draws for each program, while at other times, they conduct a general draw and select applicants from among all entries, sending them an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

However, if an applicant does not receive an invitation within 12 months, their account expires, and they must re-enter their information into the system or the pool again.

At this stage, providing accurate information is crucial, as incorrect entries can lead to the applicant being unable to apply for immigration to Canada for several years.

The tie-break rule is used to rank applicants in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Applicants are ranked based on the date and time their Express Entry profile entered the queue, meaning that for individuals with the same CRS score, the tie-break rule favors profiles that have been in the Express Entry queue longer.

Step Three: Submitting a Permanent Residency Application

After receiving the invitation, you need to submit your online application for permanent residency in Canada within 60 days. The current processing time for Express Entry cases at the Canadian embassy is 6 to 9 months. To submit your application, you must complete the requested information in your Express Entry account and upload the relevant documents. Then, pay the Express Entry fee and submit your application.

Within 24 hours of submitting your application, you will receive a letter called an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR). This receipt indicates that your documents have been received by the immigration office and your application has been successfully submitted.

Step Four: Review by the Federal Immigration Office

In this stage, your application begins to be reviewed. Throughout all stages, you can check your profile and see the status of your application.

1. In the Eligibility Review process, all your documents are examined to determine if you’re eligible or not. This review includes various documents like proof of funds, work experience letters, job offer letters, visa rejection history, etc.

The officer checks the application to ensure all documents are complete and meet the program’s checklist. If there are incomplete documents, the officer will return the processing fee and the application.

2. After a few months, you typically receive a letter for medical examinations approval.

3. If the officer feels that further review is needed, they may request additional documents from you.

4. A biometric letter is issued. Individuals who are required to provide biometric information as per Canadian regulations must go to visa offices in other countries to complete their biometrics after receiving the biometric letter.

5. The background check stage consists of three parts: criminality, security, and information sharing. All parts of this stage are conducted by Immigration Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

This stage usually takes between 1 to 2 months. However, in rare cases where a person’s background appears suspicious to the relevant authorities, it may take up to a year.

This stage is the last one before announcing the final decision.

Step Five: Confirmation of Permanent Residence

Finally, after your file is approved, you will receive the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). At this stage, you’ll get a Passport Request (PPR) message, and you need to send your passport to the Canadian visa office closest to where you live to get your visa stamped, or you can use the Canadian visa pickup service.

What is the Provincial Express Entry of Canada?

Some provinces have designed methods that require you to have an Express Entry profile first in order to apply through them. So, for these methods, you also need to meet the criteria of one of the Express Entry programs. After entering the pool, you can then submit your provincial application on the website specific to that province.

If you meet the criteria for the relevant provincial method, the province will nominate you, and then 600 points will be added to your Express Entry score, and an invitation will be sent to you. You must complete your profile by providing the necessary documents and information and submit your application to the federal immigration office

Targeted Express Entry Admissions 2024

If you qualify for one of the six subgroups announced by Canada, you can be accepted into the Express Entry system with a lower score. These six subgroups include applicants who either are proficient in French or have work experience in one of the occupations in demand in Canada:

1. French speakers

2. Health sector occupations

3. Science and engineering occupations

4. Technical and professional occupations

5. Transportation occupations

6. Agricultural and food industry occupations

Conditions for French-speaking applicants

Proficiency in French at least at B2 level (equivalent to CLB7 in each skill), Meeting the criteria of one of the three Express Entry programs

Conditions for in-demand job applicants

Having at least 6 months of full-time work experience (or equivalent part-time) in one of the required jobs in the last 3 years, Meeting the criteria of one of the three Express Entry programs

How much does Canadian Express Entry cost?

Cost item	Applicant	Applicant's spouse	Each child
Application fee	$950 CAD	$950 CAD	$260 CAD
Permanent residency fee	$575 CAD	$575 CAD
Biometrics fee	$85 CAD	If the applicant has a spouse and children, $170 CAD for the entire family (applicant, spouse, and children)

Benefits of Express Entry

Lower costs compared to entrepreneurship and investment methods

Fully online process (no need to submit paper documents)

Fastest way to immigrate to Canada (about 6 to 9 months)

Frequently asked questions

What is the CRS score?

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) was designed in 2015 to evaluate applicants for permanent residency in Canada. You receive a CRS score based on various factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Invitations for permanent residency are sent to applicants with the highest CRS scores.

How can I increase my CRS score?

The maximum score in this system is 1,200.

The following can increase your CRS score:

Improving language scores

Providing language proof in a second language (English or French).

Increasing work experience

Receiving a job offer from a Canadian employer

Having study and work experience in Canada

Receiving a provincial nomination

Upgrading educational qualifications

How long do I need to wait in the applicant pool?

This matter depends on your score. If your score in the program through which you created your Express Entry account is high, you will receive an invitation in the first draws. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until the score drops. Of course, after twelve months of creating your Express Entry profile, it expires, and you’ll need to make it again.

Can an Express Entry application be rejected?

A file may be rejected for various reasons, including incomplete documents, inconsistent or incorrect information, a criminal record, serious diseases of the applicant, and failure to submit the application on time. However, generally, if the information and documents are correct and none of the mentioned issues exist, the file won’t be rejected.

Can I create two Express Entry profiles?

Yes. Sometimes, for example, the conditions of the applicant and their spouse differ, and each has a chance to receive an invitation. Individuals can create two separate profiles and declare the other as their spouse. Then whichever profile gets the invitation first can cancel the other one.

Does the work experience submitted for Express Entry need to be related to education?

Work experience should be aligned with the educational qualification and be in that field. For instance, you can’t apply for a cosmetology position with a degree in mechanics.

Is proof of insurance necessary for Express Entry?

No, having insurance history is not mandatory for Express Entry.

If I receive an invitation from a province, do I have to stay in that province?

No. Applicants applying through provincial programs must intend to stay in that province. However, under Canadian law, after entering Canada and obtaining permanent residency, they are free to live, work, or study anywhere in Canada they wish.

Can the selected individual bring their family along?

Yes. A spouse and dependent children under legal age can be included in the main applicant’s file. All individuals will be medically and security screened by the Canadian government.

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