Canada Express Entry Program | Immigrate to Canada In 2025

If you are planning to immigrate to Canada to work or reside, first, you should build a strong understanding of the Canada express entry program. Through this program, every economic-class immigration applicant who wishes to migrate to Canada can apply for a Canada pr visa. 

Canada express entry system is based on a point-based system called a comprehensive ranking system. In this point-based system, points are allotted to candidates based on their skills, education, work experience, and provincial nomination. 

This guide will provide complete information about the most famous Canadian immigration program, including its eligibility criteria, steps to apply, cost, and all other related information. But before proceeding, let us give you an overview of the express entry program. 

What is the Canada Express Entry program? 

The Canada express entry system is a point-based Canadian regulatory system introduced by IRCC in 2015. Through this system, the Canadian government can sort the applications of skilled workers who want to immigrate to Canada for permanent residency. 

Candidates with the highest points may receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for pr in Canada. 

There are a total of three Canadian immigration programs under Canada’s Express Entry –

• The Federal skilled trades program (FSTP)
• The Federal skilled worker program (FSWP)
• The Canadian experience class (CEC)

In 2023, the Canadian government also introduced a new way to immigrate to Canada: Canada Category-Based Selection. 

Features of the Canada Express Entry system 

The express entry system is one of the fast-paced and unique immigration pathways based on a point-based system, and it has provided a streamlined process for skilled professionals to get permanent residency in Canada. 

This immigration system processes the application of the most eligible skilled professionals based on their Canada pr points, which are allocated based on age, educational qualification, professional qualification, language proficiency, skills, etc. 

As an eligible applicant, your chances of receiving the ITA(Invitation to Apply) will be increased if you get higher Canada pr points. 

The following are some well-known features of the Canadian express entry program. 

1. It is an online program that allows you to apply for a Canada pr visa from India or anywhere in the world.

2. Move to Canada in 6 to 8 months. 

3. It uses a point system to rank profiles in the pool called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

4. A job offer is a significant benefit, but it is not mandatory.

5. Can also apply for a provincial nominee program (PNP) through the Canada express entry pool.

6. Secure Canadian employment through a job bank. 

Canada Express Entry program requirements 

Canada express entry program requirements are: 

1. Nominated in any of the visa programs
2. A score of at least 67 points or more to qualify under the FSW program
3. A language proficiency test 
4. Educational credential assessment (ECA) positive report
5. Good medical health
6. Fulfill Funds requirement
7. Good character

Specific qualifying criteria vary depending on the program chosen. However, you must score 67 points to create your express entry profile.

A candidate can submit their PR application only after receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) from IRCC. The higher your CRS score in the express entry pool, the more likely you will receive an ITA.

Specific jobs in healthcare, STEM, trade, agriculture, and agri-food will be focused in 2025 with the implementation of category-based selection.

How to apply for the Express Entry program?

Application for a Canada PR Visa through the Express Entry program is a two-step process:

Step 1: Create your online profile in the Express Entry program

• Skilled immigrants with work experience across 347 occupations (including Engineering, Health Occupations, Information Technology and sciences, Skilled Trades, etc.) and meet the minimum eligibility criteria may submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile in the pool.
• You must score at least 67 points out of 100 in the FSWP points assessment Grid to apply under the Canadian Express Entry program.
• Once the profile is created and submitted in the express entry pool, they are ranked using the CRS. 
• Candidates with a provincial nomination or without a job offer can submit their employment profile to Canada Job Bank to look for a job in Canada.

Step 2: Receive your ITA to apply for a Canada PR visa

• Higher-ranked profiles in the express entry pool are issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through regularly held express entry Canada draws. After getting an ITA, you have 60 days to submit your complete application for a Canada PR Visa to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• Immigrants with a degree, skilled work experience, and moderate proficiency in either English or French are ideal candidates for the Express Entry program. 

Candidates who are eligible under the following program can apply for Canada PR Visa through the Express Entry program: 

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) 
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Steps to apply for a Canada PR visa through the Express Entry program

Here are 7 steps for applying for a Canada pr visa through the express entry program.

Step 1: Get ECA

You must get your education credentials assessed by an authorized Canadian assessing body to prove equivalency to Canadian education.

Step 2: Complete your IELTS examination

Must attain the minimum 6 points per band in each module of Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening in the IELTS examination

Step 3: Create an Express Entry profile

After you have met the minimum requirements for the PR visa, you can create an online profile in the express entry program. This profile will include all the essential details, such as age, work experience, language skills, etc. 

Step 4: Get an ITA

If you can clear the latest CRS Score cut-off, you shall get an ITA that will enable you to submit your application for a Canada PR visa to the IRCC within 60 days.

Step 5: Medical and PCC

Along with your application for a Canada PR visa, you must submit a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) and undergo a medical examination, which is a mandatory requirement.

Step 6: Application reviewed by IRCC

After successfully submitting your application, IRCC will assess it for a Canada PR visa. Reviewing your PR visa application can take 4 to 8 months.

Step 7: Get your CoPR

You will get your confirmation of permanent residency (CoPR) after the successful assessment of your application.

Specific qualifying criteria vary depending on the program chosen. However, you must score 67 points to create your express entry profile. A candidate can submit their PR application only after receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) from IRCC. The higher your CRS score in the express entry pool, the more likely you will receive an ITA. Specific jobs in healthcare, STEM, trade, agriculture, and agri-food will be focused in 2025 with the implementation of category-based selection.

Besides Canada's CRS score, the Canadian In-demand skilled occupation list can influence your Canadian pr application. The Canadian immigration authority, IRCC(Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada), identifies this list according to labour market demand. It classifies them as NOC(National Occupation Classification), and these occupations are divided into groups according to the job duties and work done by the job holders. Earlier, the applicants were required to possess employment experience in occupations classified as NOC skill type 0, A, or B, referring to the 2016 NOC system. The 2021 NOC system will significantly alter skill types, including the training, education, experience, and responsibilities (TEER) categories.

TEER 0

It includes management occupations. 

TEER 1

• It requires completing a university degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, or Doctorate) or,
• Considerable years of experience in a particular occupation from the TEER 2 category(if applicable)

TEER 2

• It requires two to three years of post-secondary education from a community college, technology institution, or others. 
• Completion of two to five-year apprenticeship program.
• Occupations with supervisory or significant safety responsibilities.
• Several years of experience from TEER category 3. 

TEER 3

• Completion of fewer than two years of post-secondary education program.
• Apprenticeship training of less than two years.
• Over six months of on-the-job training or specific work experience.
• Several years of specific occupation experience from TEER category 4.

TEER 4

• Completion of secondary school 
• Several weeks of secondary school education with on-the-job training 
• Considerable years of experience in a particular occupation from TEER category 5(if applicable)

TEER 5

• Short work demonstration without formal educational requirements.
• Here is how the six additional TEER categories of the new 2021 NOC system correspond with the skill kinds categories of the 2016 NOC system, increasing from the present four skill levels.

How did the Canada Express Entry points calculator work? 

The CRS score calculator calculates points for qualifying for immigration to Canada based on language skills, work experience, educational qualifications, and age. IRCC conducts draws for maximum CRS scores and offers an ITA for further processing.