Express Entry PR Pathway to Canada

Express Entry Guide

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What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is Canada’s flagship system for selecting skilled immigrants for permanent residence. It is a points-based application system that ranks eligible candidates based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Invitations to apply (ITAs) are regularly issued to top-ranking candidates.

Express Entry is ideal for individuals who want to settle in Canada permanently and who meet eligibility under one of the federal economic immigration programs managed within the system.

Included Programs

Express Entry manages applications for three federal economic immigration programs:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Each program uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank applicants in the Express Entry pool.

The 6-Step Process

  1. Check Eligibility & Prepare Documents
    Take a language test and get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
  2. Create an Online Profile
    Submit your profile to the Express Entry pool.
  3. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
    Wait for a draw that meets your CRS score.
  4. Submit Full Application
    You have 60 days to submit your complete application.
  5. Undergo Medicals & Background Checks
    IRCC will process your application.
  6. Receive Confirmation of PR (COPR)
    Congratulations! You are now a permanent resident of Canada.

CRS Score Explained: A Detailed Breakdown

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a points-based system used to assess and score your profile in the Express Entry pool. The total score is out of 1,200 points. Here’s how the points are broken down:

This section considers your personal attributes.
  • Age: Up to 110 points. Maximum points are awarded to candidates between 20-29 years old.
  • Level of Education: Up to 150 points. A doctoral degree (PhD) gets the highest score.
  • Official Language Proficiency: Up to 160 points for your first official language (English or French) and up to 24 points for the second.
  • Canadian Work Experience: Up to 80 points for skilled work experience gained in Canada.

If you are applying with a spouse or partner, their credentials can earn you additional points.
  • Level of Education: Up to 10 points.
  • Official Language Proficiency: Up to 20 points.
  • Canadian Work Experience: Up to 10 points.

Note: If you are applying without a spouse, these points are redistributed into your own Core / Human Capital factors.

This section awards points for combinations of your education, language skills, and work experience. For example:
  • Education and Language Ability: Up to 50 points for strong language skills combined with post-secondary education.
  • Canadian and Foreign Work Experience: Up to 50 points for having both Canadian and foreign skilled work experience.
  • Language and Foreign Work Experience: Up to 50 points for high language proficiency combined with foreign work experience.

These are highly valuable points that can significantly boost your score.
  • Provincial Nomination (PNP): 600 points (Effectively guarantees an ITA).
  • Valid Job Offer: 50 or 200 points, depending on the NOC TEER category of the job.
  • Canadian Study Experience: 15 or 30 points for a qualifying Canadian credential.
  • French Language Proficiency: Up to 50 bonus points for strong French skills (even if English is your first language).
  • Sibling in Canada: 15 points if you or your spouse has a sibling living in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident.

The maximum CRS score is 1,200. A provincial nomination is the most valuable factor, worth 600 points.

Types of Express Entry Draws

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) holds regular draws, which can include:

Open to all programs under Express Entry (FSWP, FSTP, CEC). ITAs are issued based on CRS score rankings.

Focused on one program such as the Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Trades Program. Learn More about Program-Specific Draws

Introduced in 2023, these target specific occupational groups or strong French-language proficiency to meet labor market needs. Learn More about Category-Based Draws

How to Improve Your CRS Score

Here are some ways to boost your profile:

  • Improve Language Scores: Retake your IELTS or CELPIP tests for a better score.
  • Boost Education: Complete another degree, diploma, or certificate by pursuing a study permit.
  • Gain More Experience: More years of skilled work experience can increase your points.
  • Secure a Job Offer: A valid Canadian job offer, often supported by an LMIA, adds significant points.
  • Provincial Nomination: Obtaining a nomination from a province through a PNP is the fastest way to get an ITA.

Keep your profile updated! New achievements can improve your score instantly.

Client Success Stories

"I applied for my spouse's open work permit and received approval. I appreciate the hard work and dedication of all staff. I received immediate responses to my emails and phone calls. Thank you to all team members for guiding me during the application process."

Amandeep Jossan
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"Hemant Sharma is a trustworthy, humble, and respectful consultant. I consulted him in 2017 for my work permit, and with his guidance, I received it in 6 months. Later, he helped me obtain my Permanent Residence. His patience and expertise are unmatched. Highly recommended!"

Amandeep Kaur
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"Hemant sir and his team are highly competent professionals with extensive knowledge of Canadian immigration laws. They provide exceptional service and are empathetic towards their clients' circumstances and needs."

Dalbir
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"Best in town, very humble and knowledgeable team. I got my both parents' super visa. They don't rush; they thoroughly review your profile and do their best to get positive results. Thanks, Ridhima and Akaash."

Prabhjot Kaur
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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