If you're looking to immigrate to Canada through your skills and work, you've probably heard the name "Express Entry" many times. It sounds a little complicated, but it's really just an online system the Canadian government uses to organize the files of skilled workers applying for permanent residence (PR). This piece explains, step by step and in plain language, where the path starts and where it leads.
This is general information only, not personal legal or immigration advice. For decisions about your own case, always check the official IRCC sources or a licensed advisor.
What exactly is Express Entry?
Express Entry isn't a separate program on its own; it's a "gateway" that manages three immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker — for people with skilled work experience gained outside Canada.
- Federal Skilled Trades — for tradespeople such as electricians, plumbers, welders and carpenters.
- Canadian Experience Class — for people who already have work experience in Canada.
You build a profile, enter a "pool" of applicants, get a score, and if your score is high, you receive an invitation (ITA).
Step by step, from zero to invitation
Step 1: Check whether you're eligible
First, check whether you even meet the conditions of one of those three programs. The three main pillars are usually these: skilled work experience, a language test result and education. For English, the IELTS (General type) and CELPIP tests are accepted, and for French, TEF Canada and TCF Canada. A language test is mandatory for almost everyone.
Step 2: Prepare your documents
Before building your profile, have these on hand: your passport, your language test result, and — if you studied outside Canada — an Educational Credential Assessment report (ECA). These documents make up your score, so their accuracy matters.
Step 3: Build a profile and enter the pool
You log in to your secure IRCC account and enter your information. If you're eligible for one of the three programs, your profile enters the "Express Entry pool." Note: building a profile on its own is no guarantee of being invited.
Step 4: Get your CRS score
Inside the pool, every profile is given a score from the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS); the maximum score is 1,200. The score comes from these parts:
- Human capital factors: age, education, language ability and Canadian work experience.
- Spouse or partner factors (if they come with you).
- Skill transferability factors (the combination of language + education + experience).
- Additional points: such as strong French ability, studying in Canada, or a provincial nomination (PNP), which on its own brings 600 points.
An important, up-to-date note: as of March 25, 2025, the points tied to a "job offer" were removed from the CRS. That means simply having a job offer no longer gives you CRS points on its own.
Step 5: Draws and the invitation (ITA)
Every so often, IRCC holds an "invitation round" and sends invitations to the highest scores. There are two types of rounds:
- General round: based purely on the CRS score.
- Category-based round: IRCC prioritizes the groups Canada needs more. For 2026, categories such as healthcare and social services, trades, STEM, agriculture and agri-food, education, and French speakers have been set. In the French-speaker round, you usually need at least level 7 (NCLC 7) in all 4 French language skills.
If your score meets the cut-off in that round, you receive an official invitation to apply for permanent residence.
Step 6: Complete the application and the final decision
After the ITA, you usually have a set deadline to upload the full form and supporting documents (police certificates, medical records, work history, and so on). Then IRCC reviews your file and makes a decision.
Once you arrive in Canada, do these things early
- Social Insurance Number (SIN): needed for working and official matters; you can get it online or in person from Service Canada.
- Provincial Health Card: each province has its own rules and sometimes a waiting period of a few months; apply in your very first days.
- A "newcomer" bank account: most of Canada's big banks have special newcomer packages; a passport and proof of status is usually enough.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to hire an advisor for Express Entry?
No, it's not required, and many people apply on their own. But if your case is complicated, a licensed advisor (RCIC) or a lawyer can help.
How much does it cost to enter the pool?
Building a profile and staying in the pool has no direct cost on its own; the main costs (government processing fees, the language test, the ECA, the medical exam) come at the later stages.
How long until I get an invitation?
It depends on your score and the cut-off in the rounds. A profile usually stays valid in the pool for up to 12 months, and during that time you can raise your score by improving your language or documents.
Can I apply as an Afghan or Tajik Farsi speaker too?
Yes. Express Entry doesn't concern itself with nationality; what counts is your work, language and education profile.
Your next step
First of all, find out what your estimated score is. Try our free CRS calculator at canadafarsi.com/#calculator to get a realistic sense of where you stand. And if you don't want to miss changes to the rounds and new categories, join our free weekly newsletter; every week we send you a summary of important immigration news and practical tips in plain language.
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