Express Entry is the Government of Canada’s online system for managing permanent residence applications from skilled workers under three federal programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Many provincial nominee streams also use Express Entry. Eligible candidates create an online profile and are ranked with the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which gives points for age, education, language ability, work experience and a spouse’s skills, plus additional points for factors such as a provincial nomination (600 points), French-language ability, studies in Canada and a brother or sister in Canada. IRCC invites candidates from the pool in regular rounds. Candidates who receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence.

Changes from November 3, 2026: job offers and Canadian work experience

As of November 3, 2026, IRCC has changed how the CRS counts job offers and Canadian work experience. A qualifying job offer no longer needs a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), and the LMIA requirement for job offers under the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs has also been removed, subject to conditions. Additional points now go to candidates with a qualifying job offer, or at least 12 months of Canadian work experience, in an occupation on IRCC’s high-wage occupations list: 50, 70 or 100 points for a job offer, or 20, 40 or 70 points for Canadian work experience, depending on the occupation’s wage level. If you qualify for both, only the higher score counts. Candidates already in the pool should make sure any job offer is entered in their profile. IRCC still checks that every job offer is genuine, and additional points do not guarantee an invitation: each round has its own cut-off score.

Category-based invitations

Besides general rounds, IRCC holds rounds for candidates in priority categories. The current categories are: French-language proficiency; healthcare and social services occupations; science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) occupations; trade occupations; education occupations; transport occupations; physicians with Canadian work experience; senior managers with Canadian work experience; researchers with Canadian work experience; and skilled military recruits. Most occupation categories require at least 12 months of full-time work experience (or the same amount part-time) in an eligible occupation within the last three years. IRCC can change the categories and their requirements from year to year.

Do you think you may be eligible for Express Entry?