Immigrate to Canada Through Express Entry
Looking For A Faster Way To Become A Permanent Resident Of Canada?
Express Entry is the most popular and efficient system designed for skilled professionals who want to settle in Canada permanently. Managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Express Entry opens the door to thousands of qualified candidates every year.
Whether you’re a professional, a tradesperson, or someone with Canadian experience, this could be your ideal pathway to building a secure future in Canada.
What Is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an online immigration application management system introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It handles applications for three major federal economic programmes.
Federal Skilled Worker Programme (FSWP)
For skilled professionals with work experience outside Canada.
Federal Skilled Trades Programme (FSTP)
For those with expertise in qualified trade occupations.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Designed for individuals with recent work experience in Canada.
These are supported by certain PNPs, which can significantly increase your chances of receiving an invitation.
Benefits of Applying Through Express Entry
- Fast Processing – Most applications are finalised within 6 to 8 months.
- Transparent Selection – A points-based system with regular public draws.
- Apply Without a Job Offer – Employment in Canada is not mandatory to be eligible.
- Bring Your Family – Your spouse and dependent children can be included in one application.
- Path to Citizenship – After meeting residency and other criteria, you may apply for Canadian citizenship.
Who Is Eligible for Express Entry?
To apply through Express Entry, you must meet certain minimum requirements based on your chosen immigration category. These can vary depending on which immigration stream you’re applying under (Federal Skilled Worker, Skilled Trades, or Canadian Experience Class), but the general requirements include:
Skilled Work Experience
A post-secondary qualification that has been officially evaluated by a recognised authority, such as WES, to confirm its equivalency to Canadian standards.
Language Proficiency
You must take an approved language test in English or French, such as IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF, and achieve a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 7.
Financial Proof
Unless you already have a valid job offer or are applying through the Canadian Experience Class, you’ll need to show you have enough savings to support yourself and your family after you arrive.
Medical and Background Clearance
Applicants must pass a medical examination and provide police clearance certificates to confirm their admissibility.
Once these criteria are met, your profile will be placed in the Express Entry pool and ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This score is based on various factors, including age, education, language ability, and work experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What happened in the latest Express Entry education draw?
In the most recent draw under the education category, Canada issued 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system. The CRS cutoff dropped to 462, down from 479 in the previous education-stream draw. This change strengthens chances for applicants seeking an express entry visa to Canada, especially those in the education stream.
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How does Express Entry work?
Express Entry is Canada’s online immigration system for skilled workers seeking permanent residency. It works in two stages:
Profile submission: Eligible candidates create an online profile expressing interest in immigrating to Canada.
Invitation rounds: The IRCC conducts draws and invites top-ranking candidates (based on their CRS score) to apply for Canadian PR.
There are three draw types — General, Program-specific, and Category-based — each targeting candidates under programs like the Federal Skilled Worker (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades (FSTP).
Once invited, applicants submit documents such as language test results, ECA, police clearance, and medicals, then wait for IRCC’s final approval (usually within 6 months). Successful applicants receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and can migrate to Canada.
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How many ITAs were issued in the latest draw?
The most recent education-stream draw saw 2,500 ITAs issued. This volume is significant, marking renewed activity in this stream. For aspirants of an express entry visa to Canada, it shows that IRCC is actively reopening pathways in education draws.
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How can I improve my Express Entry CRS score?
To enhance your CRS score and increase your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through Canada’s Express Entry program, consider the following strategies:
- Ensure you claim all eligible CRS points for education, work experience, and language skills.
- Improve your language test scores in IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF to gain additional CRS points.
- Consider having your spouse as the principal applicant if their profile ranks higher.
- Pursue higher education or obtain an updated Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
- Gain more skilled work experience, especially under eligible NOC TEER categories.
- Study or work in Canada, as Canadian experience can significantly increase your CRS score.
Need expert guidance to boost your CRS points? Contact Atlantis Migration – trusted Canada immigration consultants – for personalized Express Entry support.
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How long does the Express Entry process take?
An Express Entry profile remains valid for up to one year in the pool.
If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), the IRCC typically processes your permanent residence application within six months.
The processing time starts once a complete PR application is submitted and ends when IRCC makes a final decision.
If you don’t receive an ITA within one year, you can re-submit your Express Entry profile if you still meet the eligibility requirements.
On average, successful candidates can immigrate to Canada in 6–8 months after receiving an ITA.
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What happened in the latest Express Entry education draw?
In the most recent draw under the education category, Canada issued 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system. The CRS cutoff dropped to 462, down from 479 in the previous education-stream draw. This change strengthens chances for applicants seeking an express entry visa to Canada, especially those in the education stream.
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Why is the decrease in CRS cutoff score important?
A lower CRS cutoff score means that more applicants may now meet the required threshold to receive an Invitation to Apply. It widens opportunities, especially for those who were marginally below the previous cutoff. For people pursuing an express entry visa to Canada, this may mean a better chance in upcoming draws.
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How often are education-stream draws held?
Education-stream draws under the Express Entry program are not as frequent as some other category-based or general draws. The recent draw was the first in more than four months, reflecting irregular intervals. Applicants targeting an express entry visa to Canada in the education category should stay updated on IRCC announcements.
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What is a CRS cutoff score?
A CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) cutoff is the minimum score that candidates must have to receive an ITA in a given draw. Scores are based on factors such as education, work experience, language skills, etc. If you want an express entry visa to Canada, knowing the current cutoff helps you gauge your eligibility.
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Do I need to wait for an education-stream draw to apply?
No, you don’t necessarily need to wait for an education-stream draw, but participating in one can improve your chances, especially if your profile aligns with the education requirement. Express Entry draws happen under various categories; as long as your profile is in the pool, you can receive ITAs from different draws. This flexibility benefits those aiming for an express entry visa to Canada.
