Express Entry is a permanent resident intake system introduced on January 1, 2015 by the Canadian government to streamline federal skilled immigration. The system manages intake into the following programs:
  • Federal Skilled Worker
  • Federal Skilled Trade
  • Canadian Experience Class
  • Certain Provincial Nominations through Express Entry

How does Express Entry work?
  1. STEP 1 — Check your Eligibility in One of the Federal Immigration Programs: The system allows you to use a wizard to check your eligibility under one of the aforementioned programs. For instance, to be eligible in FSW, you must score 67/100 in the FSW selection factor point grid
  2. STEP 2 — Sumit your Profile: Once you are eligible, the system adds your profile to a pool of eligible candidates. The system then ranks your profile in the EE pool by calculating your Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score against a 1200 point grid. You must start gathering all your documents at this stage.
  3. STEP 3 — Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): Regular draws are held in the Express Entry system to pick candidates from the ranked CRS pool. If your CRS score is higher than the draw cut-off then you get an Invitation to Apply. If your score is below the cut-off and you receive a provincial nomination that you accept, then you get 600 additional points.
  4. STEP 4 — Submit Permanent Residence Application: This is the phase after you have received your ITA. At this point you need to submit all your documents for review. These documents will be verified against all the claims that were made in your EE profile submission. For example, if you claimed to be a Master's degree holder you will need to submit proof of this via an Education Credential Assessment (ECA).
  5. STEP 5 — Passport and Biometrics Submission, if Requested: When requested, through a biometrics request letter, you need to submit your biometrics. And, when requested via Passport Request (PPR) you would need to submit your passports for stamping. Once your passport is stamped you will receive it along with your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) and Permanent Resident Landing Visa.
  6. Final Step — Validate your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR or Permanent Resident Landing Visa): This is the final step, you arrive in Canada if you are not already here, and at the Port of Entry (PoE) get interviewed by an officer who grants you Permanent Residency, after verifying your documents. If you are already in Canada, you can book a landing appointment at any of the IRCC inland offices.