EXPRESS ENTRY

EE Federal Immigration

Introduced in January 2015, Express Entry (EE) is the Canadian federal government's online immigration processing system. It converts your age, work experience, education, English ability, adaptability and any LMIA job offer or provincial nomination into immigration points, and awards permanent residence on that score.

ABOUT EE

What is Express Entry (EE) federal immigration?

Introduced in January 2015, Express Entry (EE) is the Canadian federal government's online immigration processing system. Age, work experience, education, English ability, adaptability and whether you hold an LMIA job offer or a provincial nomination are each converted into immigration points and added into a total score that determines your eligibility. The Express Entry system is scored out of 1,200 points, and IRCC holds regular draws that approve permanent residence for the highest-ranked candidates in the pool.

Once you meet the basic requirements you register a profile and enter the Express Entry pool. Candidates in the pool who rank above the cut-off score receive an ITA (Invitation To Apply), the invitation that allows you to submit a permanent residence application.

PROGRAMS

Express Entry (EE) programs

Three programs are managed through Express Entry (CEC / FSW / FST). Meeting the basic requirements of any one of them lets you enter the EE pool.

CEC — Canadian Experience Class

Canadian Experience Class — open to applicants with one year of Canadian work experience gained on a valid work permit within the past three years.
FSW — Federal Skilled Worker

Federal Skilled Workers Program — requires one year of experience in the same occupation within the past ten years. Experience gained outside Canada also counts toward permanent residence.
FST — Federal Skilled Trades

Federal Skilled Trades Program — for tradespeople in NOC B occupations, with two years of experience in the same trade within the past five years plus a certificate of qualification or a job offer (LMIA).

ELIGIBILITY

CEC · FSW · FST requirements

Requirement	CEC — Canadian Experience Class	FSW — Federal Skilled Worker	FST — Federal Skilled Trades
Language	NOC 0, A: CLB 7 / NOC B: CLB 5	CLB 7 (each ability)	CLB 5 (Listening & Speaking) / CLB 4 (Reading & Writing)
Experience	At least 1 year of Canadian experience within the past 3 years *self-employment and work on a study permit do not count	At least 1 year of Canadian or overseas experience within the past 10 years *in the same occupation	2 years of experience within the past 5 years *in the same occupation
Occupation	NOC 0, A, B occupations	NOC 0, A, B occupations	Specific NOC B occupations (72XX, 73XX, 82XX, 92XX, 632X, 633X)
Education	No requirement	High school or above *degrees earned outside Canada require an ECA	—
Settlement funds	—	Proof of funds meeting the minimum settlement threshold for your family size	Proof of funds meeting the minimum settlement threshold for your family size
Job offer	—	—	A job offer of at least 1 year (LMIA) or a certificate of qualification for the trade

PROCESS

The Express Entry (EE) process

Confirm your EE eligibility

Check whether you meet the basic requirements of one of the three programs — CEC, FSW or FST.
Register your EE profile

A registered profile stays valid for one year.
Receive an ITA

If your CRS score is above the cut-off, you receive an Invitation To Apply for permanent residence.
File the PR application within 60 days

Your permanent residence application must be submitted within 60 days of receiving the ITA.
Permanent residence approved

Approval usually follows within six months.