How to Apply for Express Entry in Canada

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parts

1Meeting the Criteria for Express Entry

2Collecting the Necessary Documentation

3Improving Your CRS Score

4Applying for Permanent Residency

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Article Summary

Applying to immigrate to a new country can be a challenging and lengthy process. Luckily, the Express Entry tool can help you earn permanent residency in Canada within just a few months of submitting your application. Express Entry is the online tool that manages applications for economic immigration to Canada for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. If your Express Entry profile receives a high enough score from the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), you'll be invited to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Meeting the Criteria for Express Entry

1. 
   1
   Take a CELPIP, IELTS or TEF language test within 2 years of your application. The CELPIP-General test or the IELTS tests will determine your English language skills, while the TEF tests your French language proficiency. Be sure to prepare for the tests in advance by taking free practice tests online.

   • You must score above a certain threshold on each category of the test to receive points for your language skills. For a full breakdown of the score requirements see: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/language-requirements/language-testing.html
   • Check that your language test results are valid for at least 12 months after you apply for Express Entry. The results are valid for up to two years, at which point you'll have to retake the tests.
   • If you have a physical or mental disability, you can use the Comprehensive Ranking System Language calculator tool to find your average score based on the sections you were able to complete.
2. 
   2
   Apply for a job in Canada. Although having a job offer in Canada is not required, coming into the application process with a written job offer from a Canadian employer will greatly increase your chances of making it through the screening process and will help to increase your CRS score later on.

   • Start the process of applying for a job in Canada a few months before you apply for Express Entry to make sure you have enough time to complete the interview process.
3. 
   3
   Use Canada's job classification system to find your skill type. Both the screening and the official Express Entry profile questions will ask about your work experience and any future job that you intend to take in Canada. Search through Canada's official job classification system on the Government of Canada website to determine the codes for your work experience.

   • The screening might ask about particular job categories that the government is looking to fill. Look to the table of NOC information to find your job title, code, and skill type.
4. 
   4
   Navigate to the Come to Canada online tool to check your eligibility. Open the 'Express Entry immigration' page on the Government of Canada website and click the “Check your eligibility” button to begin the screening test. Answer each question as best you can. The entire test should take only about 10-15 minutes.

   • Be sure to complete the entire eligibility check. If you meet all of the basic criteria, you should reach a page at the end telling you that you are eligible to apply using Express Entry. This page should also display a unique personal reference code which you'll use to apply.
   • If you are not eligible, double check that you have completed one of the required language tests within the last 2 years, and have achieved high enough scores on those tests.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Collecting the Necessary Documentation

1. 
   1
   Record your personal reference code from the top of the eligibility page. If you pass the screening you will arrive at a page that confirms your eligibility to apply to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry, and provides you with a personal reference code and additional steps. Write down the your reference code on paper, and copy or print the confirmation page to ensure you have a record of your completion of this first step in the process.

   • You will use your reference code to create an Express Entry profile later on.
2. 
   2
   Gather proof of residency from the last 10 years or since the age of 18. Although you won't need to upload these documents unless you are invited to apply for permanent residency, you will need to list the information from these documents on your Express Entry profile.

   • The more detailed the information, the better. Remember that you'll have to match this information to what you input on your application for permanent residency if you are invited to apply.
3. 
   3
   Collect proof of work experience from the last 10 years or since the age of 18. You will use information from these documents to fill out your online profile. Try to find a document, like an offer letter or contract, that states the date that you began work at each job.

   • As well as having a record of your official work experience, think about the skills you use at your job everyday. Sometimes your job title doesn't describe everything that you do, so try to think of relevant skills to list on your profile.
4. 
   4
   Record your passport information. Have your passport or a copy of your passport or other travel documentation at hand for when you fill out your online profile. You will need this later, too, if your application for permanent residency is accepted and you are able to immigrate to Canada.

   • Always keep your passport in a safe place. If it gets lost or stolen, be sure to apply for a replacement passport immediately.
5. 
   5
   Request a copy of your written job offer from your hiring manager. Having a job offer lined up in Canada before you apply will make a big difference in your CRS score. You will want to include the information from the offer on your profile, and you'll need to upload the offer letter if you are later invited to apply for permanent residency.

   • Most job offers are sent and signed electronically now, so save a pdf file of the offer letter.
6. 
   6
   Get an educational credential assessment for your post-secondary education outside of Canada. Verifying your education can improve the score assigned to your Express Entry profile, which determines if you are invited to apply for permanent residency or not. Be sure to have any post secondary education that you have completed officially assessed by an approved organization to have it count towards your CRS score.

   • For a list of approved organizations to assess your education, check the 'Documents for Express Entry' page on the Government of Canada website.
   • Note that different organizations will charge different rates. Pay attention to both the cost and the expected processing time for each organization to ensure you get the proper documents in time to create your Express Entry profile.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Improving Your CRS Score

1. 
   1
   Include your spouse's language test scores if you are married. Although it may be beneficial to apply as an individual, if you are including your spouse in your application, be sure to list their language test scores and academic credentials if they have any. This can help to improve your own CRS score.

   • Consider having your spouse apply as the primary candidate instead of you. Assess both of your credentials and try to estimate which partner would receive the higher CRS score.
2. 
   2
   Apply for a provincial nomination. Each province or territory will have its own requirements for provincial nominee applicants. Contact the local government in the province you wish to be nominated by to begin the application process. Getting a sponsorship will earn you 600 additional points, with the maximum CRS score reaching 1200 points.

   • You can only apply for a provincial nomination in the province or territory where you intend to live.
   • Along with meeting the requirements for the specific provincial nomination that you apply for, you will also have to qualify for one of the federal immigration programs that Express Entry supports.
3. 
   3
   Earn a Bachelors, Masters, or Doctoral degree. Although it can be costly and time consuming, the more education you receive, the more points you'll earn through the CRS. Consider going to school in Canada to familiarize yourself with the country and to avoid the need to get an education credential assessment.

   • Although having any level of education is useful, more advanced degrees will earn you more points.
   • Some colleges allow students to begin earning a Masters degree at the same time as they pursue their Bachelors degree. Plan ahead by applying for this program early if your school offers it.
4. 
   4
   Increase your job experience. The more time you spend at one job, the more points you will earn. Focus on getting promoted to an advanced position at your current job to further boost your CRS score. Consider getting a job in Canada to increase your score by even more points.

   • Remember to record any job or career changes on your Express Entry profile.
5. 
   5
   Become fluent in both French and English. If you can learn both French and English, you should take a second language test to earn you a higher CRS score. Remember that you have to reach a certain threshold for your test scores to count towards your overall profile score.

   • If you can, plan ahead by studying French or English in school to become fluent by the time you hope to apply for Express Entry.
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Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Applying for Permanent Residency

1. 
   1
   Create your Express Entry profile using your personal reference code. Visit the 'create an account' page under the immigration section of the Government of Canada website to login or create a profile. Begin by creating an electronic key that you can use to sign into your account.

   • Select “Express Entry” once you have logged into your account, at which point you will be prompted to enter your personal reference code from the screening.
   • Follow the guided steps to help you create and submit your online profile.
2. 
   2
   Receive an invitation to apply for permanent residency. If your CRS score is high enough, you'll be notified that you have received an invitation to apply to become a permanent resident of Canada. Note that the score cut-off depends on the distribution of scores in your applicant pool, but is generally in the mid-400s.

   • If you do receive an invitation to apply but choose not to accept it, you will still be considered in future rounds of Express Entry applicants unless you withdraw your profile.
   • Your invitation will tell you which specific program you've been invited to apply for, and what the specific criteria are for that program.
   • If you don't receive an invitation to apply within 12 months, your Express Entry profile will automatically expire at which point you can create and submit a new one.
3. 
   3
   Upload documentation within 60 days of your invitation to apply. Check your email for a message explaining the next steps in the permanent resident application process. You'll need to upload the documents you used to fill out your Express Entry profile to verify that all your information is correct. If your application is accepted you'll need to move to Canada, complete an in-person interview, turn in a few extra forms, and get settled in!

   • Read through any instructions that are sent to you via email to find the specific forms you will need to bring with you. Typically, you will need your passport, your Confirmation of Permanent Residence and resident visa if you have one, and proof of funds to ensure that you can support yourself once you immigrate.
   • You'll need to talk with an officer from the Canada Border Services Agency to confirm that all of your documents are correct and up to date. The officer will also conduct a final in person interview before you're ready to immigrate.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  When does the information I submit get verified?

  

  Timothy Morson
  Canadian Immigration Specialist

  Timothy Morson is a Canadian Immigration Specialist and a former Canadian Diplomat. With over 30 years of experience, Timothy specializes in Canadian immigration programs, immigration management, employer compliance, and international mobility. He holds a BA in Political Science from Concordia University and an MA in Journalism from Western University. Timothy is accredited by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC), Immigration Quebec, and is a member of the Order of Chartered Administrators of Quebec (Adm.A). He works to help people and companies around the world achieve their immigration goals.

  

  Timothy Morson

  Canadian Immigration Specialist

  Expert Answer

  Later on when you're invited to apply. Anybody can register their name and their information to join the Express Entry pool. However, what's important to bear in mind is that when you are registering your information, you have to be very, very careful that everything is up to date and that the documentation that you're going to use to claim, for example, your points, is valid at the time of your registration. I'll give you an example. If you're claiming to be fluent in English or French and so you register the fact that you've got top marks, for example, for your language skills but you haven't done the actual language test, then that will be considered misrepresentation. At the time of the registration of the profile, the key is to make sure that the information will stand up to scrutiny later on once an applicant receives an invitation to apply.

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• Question

  Can I update my profile after I register?

  

  Timothy Morson
  Canadian Immigration Specialist

  Timothy Morson is a Canadian Immigration Specialist and a former Canadian Diplomat. With over 30 years of experience, Timothy specializes in Canadian immigration programs, immigration management, employer compliance, and international mobility. He holds a BA in Political Science from Concordia University and an MA in Journalism from Western University. Timothy is accredited by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC), Immigration Quebec, and is a member of the Order of Chartered Administrators of Quebec (Adm.A). He works to help people and companies around the world achieve their immigration goals.

  

  Timothy Morson

  Canadian Immigration Specialist

  Expert Answer

  Yes, your profile can be updated. For example, let's say, today, I register my profile and my English is at an intermediate level but I'm working on it. I have my first test results showing that my English level is intermediate. I register my profile and then I continue to work on my English and I raise it to an advanced level. And I've got proof that my English level is now more advanced. Then I can go back into my profile and update my language skills. You should continue to update your profile as you wait for an invitation to apply.

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  Thank you for your feedback.
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• Question

  Are there any medical requirements?

  

  Timothy Morson
  Canadian Immigration Specialist

  Timothy Morson is a Canadian Immigration Specialist and a former Canadian Diplomat. With over 30 years of experience, Timothy specializes in Canadian immigration programs, immigration management, employer compliance, and international mobility. He holds a BA in Political Science from Concordia University and an MA in Journalism from Western University. Timothy is accredited by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC), Immigration Quebec, and is a member of the Order of Chartered Administrators of Quebec (Adm.A). He works to help people and companies around the world achieve their immigration goals.

  

  Timothy Morson

  Canadian Immigration Specialist

  Expert Answer

  Yes, everyone has to meet the medical requirements. If there are any serious medical issues either for the applicant or the applicant’s family, then that may or may not be an obstacle. It depends on what the medical condition is, but it's something that has to be kept in mind.

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