What is Express Entry and how does it work for immigrating to Canada?
Express Entry is the federal government's online system for managing applications under three economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). It is administered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) — a federal process, not an Ontario one.
Candidates create an online profile and are placed in a pool. Each profile receives a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors like age, education, language skills, and work experience. Periodically, IRCC holds draws and invites the highest-scoring candidates in the pool to apply for permanent residence. Invited candidates then have 60 days to submit a complete application.
If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), the clock starts immediately. Getting your documents in order before you submit a profile — or while waiting in the pool — can save considerable stress.
Key takeaways
- Express Entry is a federal program managed by IRCC, not a provincial one.
- Three programs feed the pool: FSWP, FSTP, and CEC.
- Candidates with higher CRS scores are invited first.
- Once invited, you have 60 days to file a complete application.