Canada Express Entry,
your fast-track to PR.

Express Entry is a fast-track immigration system introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2015. It was designed to streamline the process of managing applications from skilled workers, fulfilling Canada's workforce needs while facilitating timely permanent residence for qualified candidates.

Express Entry is not a single immigration program. It is the application-management system that handles candidates applying under three federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) operate alongside Express Entry and can pull candidates directly from the federal pool.

Canada's most recent Immigration Levels Plan increased the number of permanent-residence spots available for Express Entry candidates. Two categories of candidates benefit most directly from these changes:

• In-country candidates — those already physically in Canada with valid status (e.g. work-permit or study-permit holders).
• Candidates eligible for category-based draws — IRCC now runs targeted draws for healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, agriculture, and French-speaking candidates.

If you fall into either of these groups, your CRS-score threshold for an Invitation to Apply may be materially lower than the all-program draw cut-off.

Express Entry operates under a points-based system. Candidates earn points based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability. Each profile is evaluated using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which tallies these factors into a single score. The highest-scoring candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in periodic IRCC draws.

A provincial nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score — effectively guaranteeing an ITA in the next eligible draw. A qualifying job offer can also add 50 to 200 CRS points depending on the role's NOC TEER category.

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is a vital pathway for skilled immigrants aiming to secure permanent residency in Canada. As part of the Express Entry system, the FSWP specifically targets workers with foreign experience whose education and skills meet Canadian labour-market needs.

Applicants are evaluated on a points system that considers age, education, work experience, language proficiency in English and/or French, job offers, and adaptability. To qualify, candidates must meet minimum requirements across these areas.

Originally launched in 1967, the FSWP was the world's first immigration program to use a points-based evaluation system, establishing Canada as a leader in immigration policy. The introduction of the Express Entry system in January 2015 enhanced the program by streamlining the application channel and tying selection to the CRS.

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is dedicated to skilled tradespeople seeking permanent residency. It was designed to address labour shortages in specific trades by attracting individuals with practical skills and relevant work experience.

To qualify for the FSTP, applicants must meet specific criteria:

• A valid job offer from a Canadian employer, OR a certificate of qualification in their skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.
• Proficiency in English or French at the required level for the occupation.
• At least two years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade within the five years prior to application.

Launched on January 2, 2013, the FSTP complements the FSWP by providing a pathway for applicants who may not meet the educational criteria of the FSWP but possess valuable skills in the trades.

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is tailored for individuals who have gained skilled work experience in Canada and aspire to become permanent residents. It is specifically aimed at temporary foreign workers and international graduates who have already integrated into Canadian life.

Key features of the CEC:

• Eligibility: at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the three years prior to applying. The experience must fall under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
• Language: minimum CLB 7 for TEER 0/1 occupations; CLB 5 for TEER 2/3 occupations.
• Status: applicants must have held authorised work status during their qualifying experience.

Established in 2008, the CEC was designed to facilitate the transition of temporary foreign workers and international students into permanent residents, recognising the value of their Canadian work experience and successful integration.

Beyond the federal programs, most Canadian provinces and territories operate their own immigration pathways known as Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). PNPs are designed to address each province's specific labour-market needs by selecting candidates with the skills and experience local employers require.

Several PNP streams are aligned with Express Entry — a candidate can be in the federal Express Entry pool and simultaneously be selected by a province. A successful provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, effectively guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply.

Each province publishes its own occupation lists, language thresholds, and job-offer requirements. See our dedicated Provincial Nominee Program page for a province-by-province breakdown.

If you have work experience in Quebec, you may qualify for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), or Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), depending on which program's criteria you meet.

However, even if your Quebec work experience is eligible, when you apply through Express Entry you must plan to settle in a province outside Quebec. Quebec has its own distinct immigration system, and the federal Express Entry system is designed for permanent residence outside Quebec.

If you intend to settle in Quebec, see our Quebec Skilled Worker Program page for the PSTQ and PEQ routes.

IRCC has signalled changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) that would introduce a new permanent economic immigration class specifically designed for workers with experience and qualifications at TEER 4 and TEER 5 levels.

Historically, Express Entry's federal programs have focused on TEER 0-3 occupations. The proposed class would extend a federal pathway to caregivers, agriculture workers, hospitality staff, food-service workers, and other essential occupations that fall outside the current TEER 0-3 envelope. Mercan's team monitors IRCC announcements closely and will guide eligible candidates as the regulations crystallise.