CanadaEligibility means meeting the minimum published requirements. Ranking compares candidates where the pathway uses a score. Invitation is the authority’s decision. These are different, and only the authority decides.
Drafted from the official pages listed under Sources, last read on 25 October 2026. Rules, fees and thresholds change: check the official page before you act. This is not legal advice and does not guarantee any outcome.
Overview
IRCC describes Express Entry as an online system used to manage immigration applications from skilled workers.
It manages three programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
How it works
IRCC lists four steps.
- Create a profile and join the candidate pool.
- Candidates with the highest scores are invited in rounds.
- Invited candidates complete and submit a permanent residence application.
- IRCC reviews the application and makes a decision.
Role of the CRS
Candidates are ranked by points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranked candidates are invited first.
IRCC offers a tool to calculate a CRS score. The platform does not set or guarantee a score or an invitation. The Express Entry page also flags 2026 changes to points for Canadian work experience and job offers; read the official page for details.
Program requirements as IRCC states them
IRCC publishes a comparison of the three programs. Summary of the figures on that page:
- Canadian Experience Class: CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 occupations, CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3; education not required; 1 year of work in Canada in the last 3 years (full-time or part-time combination).
- Federal Skilled Worker Program: CLB 7; secondary education required; 1 year of continuous work within the last 10 years.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program: CLB 5 for speaking and listening, CLB 4 for reading and writing; education not required; 2 years of work within the last 5 years in a skilled trade from the specified TEER 2 or TEER 3 groups.
Language tests and education
IRCC accepts these tests for Express Entry: CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core (English); TEF Canada and TCF Canada (French). Results must be less than 2 years old when the profile is completed and when the application is submitted.
Education completed outside Canada may need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). See the ECA guide on this platform.
What to check on the official page
Check the current program requirements, the 2026 points changes, fees and processing times on IRCC pages before acting. Submitting a profile does not guarantee an invitation. Applications are submitted to IRCC through its own channels.
What changes often
CRS points, round sizes and cut-off scores, fees, and the 2026 changes to points for Canadian work experience and job offers can change. IRCC dated the Express Entry page 2026-10-16. Re-check the official pages before relying on any figure.
Requirements as published
| Language | Canadian Experience Class: CLB 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupations; CLB 5 for TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations. Source · checked on 25 Oct 2026 |
| Experience | Canadian Experience Class: 1 year of work in Canada in the last 3 years (full-time or part-time combination). Source · checked on 25 Oct 2026 |
| Qualification | Canadian Experience Class: education not required. Source · checked on 25 Oct 2026 |
| Language | Federal Skilled Worker Program: CLB 7. Source · checked on 25 Oct 2026 |
| Qualification | Federal Skilled Worker Program: secondary education required. Source · checked on 25 Oct 2026 |
| Experience | Federal Skilled Worker Program: 1 year continuous work within the last 10 years. Source · checked on 25 Oct 2026 |
| Language | Federal Skilled Trades Program: CLB 5 for speaking and listening; CLB 4 for reading and writing. Source · checked on 25 Oct 2026 |
| Experience | Federal Skilled Trades Program: 2 years of work within the last 5 years in a skilled trade from the specified TEER 2 or TEER 3 groups. Source · checked on 25 Oct 2026 |
| Qualification | Federal Skilled Trades Program: education not required. Source · checked on 25 Oct 2026 |
| Language | Language test results must be less than 2 years old when the Express Entry profile is completed and when the permanent residence application is submitted. Expired results lead to refusal. Source · checked on 25 Oct 2026 |
| Qualification | An ECA is needed for education completed outside Canada to be eligible as principal applicant under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or to earn education points. It must be less than 5 years old at profile and application. Source · checked on 25 Oct 2026 |
Government fees and required funds (as published)
| Application with right of permanent residence fee (RPRF), principal applicant | CAN$1,590.00 | Source · 25 Oct 2026 |
| Application without RPRF, principal applicant | CAN$990.00 | Source · 25 Oct 2026 |
| Spouse or partner included (with RPRF) | CAN$1,590.00 | Source · 25 Oct 2026 |
| Spouse or partner included (without RPRF) | CAN$990.00 | Source · 25 Oct 2026 |
| Dependent child (per child) | CAN$270.00 | Source · 25 Oct 2026 |
| Right of permanent residence fee | CAN$600.00 | Source · 25 Oct 2026 |
Document checklist
- Supporting documents named by IRCC include language test results, education documents (with ECA if foreign), job offer documents where relevant, proof of settlement funds, and police certificates. See the official page for the exact list that applies.
Prepare for this pathway
Everything around this pathway for the same destination: other routes, language tests, credential recognition and what to expect on arrival.
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