How Express Entry works

Express Entry is the online system Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses to manage applications for three federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Most Express Entry applications are processed within six months or less of IRCC receiving a complete application.

The journey, step by step

1. 01

   Check your eligibility

   You must meet the requirements of at least one of the three Express Entry programs to enter the pool. Eligibility depends on factors such as skilled work experience, language ability (tested through an approved test such as IELTS or CELPIP for English, or TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French), and education. If your education was completed outside Canada, you will generally need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a designated organization to verify it is equivalent to a Canadian credential. The National Occupational Classification (NOC) system determines whether your work experience is in an eligible skilled category.

2. 02

   Create your profile and enter the pool

   Once you confirm you are eligible, you create an online Express Entry profile through your IRCC account. Your profile captures your language scores, education, work history, age, and other details. IRCC uses this information to calculate your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and your profile is entered into the Express Entry pool of candidates.

3. 03

   Get ranked by CRS

   The Comprehensive Ranking System assigns every candidate a score out of 1,200. Points are awarded in two groups: core points (up to 600) based on factors such as age, education, language skills, and Canadian or foreign work experience, and additional points (up to 600) for elements such as a provincial or territorial nomination, a sibling in Canada, French-language proficiency, or Canadian post-secondary education. Candidates are ranked against each other in the pool by their CRS score.

4. 04

   Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

   Periodically, IRCC conducts rounds of invitations (often called "draws") and invites the highest-ranked candidates to apply for permanent residence. IRCC may invite candidates from the general pool or run category-based draws targeting candidates with specific occupations or attributes, such as French-language proficiency or strong healthcare or STEM experience. You do not apply for a draw — IRCC selects candidates automatically based on their CRS rank at the moment of the draw.

5. 05

   Submit your application (e-APR) and get your AOR

   An Invitation to Apply is valid for 60 days. Within that window you must complete and submit your electronic Application for Permanent Residence (e-APR) through your IRCC portal account, pay the required processing fees, and upload all supporting documents. Once IRCC receives and accepts your complete application you receive an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR), which confirms that processing has begun and gives you an application number.

6. 06

   Complete biometrics and your medical exam

   As of August 21, 2025, once you receive an Invitation to Apply you must complete an upfront medical exam with a designated panel physician before you submit your application; results are valid for 12 months. Most applicants between the ages of 14 and 79 must also provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) at a designated collection point. After you submit your application, IRCC will send you a biometrics instruction letter giving you 30 days to complete this step.

7. 07

   Eligibility and background checks

   While your application is in processing, an IRCC officer reviews your CRS score, program eligibility, and admissibility. IRCC verifies that you and any accompanying family members are not inadmissible to Canada for reasons such as criminality, security concerns, or health grounds. Your biometric information is shared with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), who check fingerprints against their records. IRCC may send you an Additional Document Request (ADR) if an officer needs more information to finalize a decision.

8. 08

   Final decision: PPR and COPR

   When IRCC approves your application, you will receive a Passport Request (PPR) asking you to submit your passport pages so a permanent resident visa can be issued. Once your travel documents are processed, IRCC issues a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). When you arrive at a Canadian port of entry, a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer examines your COPR and completes the landing process. If you are already in Canada, you can use the PR Confirmation Portal to confirm your permanent residence and receive an electronic COPR (eCOPR).