Express Entry 2025: Your Fastest Path to Canadian PR Explained

Overview

Canada aims to welcome over 100,000 new permanent residents in 2025 through the Express Entry system. If you are looking for a fast-track route to Canadian permanent residency, Express Entry may be the most efficient pathway.

This guide covers:

• The process of obtaining permanent residency through Express Entry

  
  

• Eligibility requirements

• How to enter the Express Entry pool

• The Invitation to Apply (ITA) process

  
  

• Strategies to improve your chances of selection

• Settlement funds required per family member

• What constitutes a valid job offer under Express Entry

• Additional pathways for those ineligible for Express Entry, including options for settling in Quebec

Express Entry is not a direct application for permanent residence. Instead, candidates must first receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the federal government. The steps include:

1. Meeting the eligibility criteria for an Express Entry-managed program

2. Submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI)

3. Receiving an ITA from the Canadian government

4. Submitting a permanent residency application

To qualify for Express Entry, you must meet the requirements of one of the following three federal programs:

Additionally, applicants must intend to settle outside Quebec and meet specific language, education, and work experience requirements.

Detailed Eligibility Comparison

*Exemptions apply if you have a valid job offer and legal authorization to work in Canada.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

• No education requirement

• No settlement fund requirement

• Work experience does not need to be continuous

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

• Requires scoring at least 67/100 on the selection grid, with points awarded for:

  • Age

  • Education

  • Work experience

  • Language proficiency

  • Arranged employment

  • Adaptability factors

• One year of continuous work experience is required

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

• Requires either:

  • A certificate of qualification in a skilled trade or

  • A valid job offer from up to two Canadian employers

• Work experience must fall under specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups

Submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI)

To be considered for Express Entry, candidates must:

• Submit an online profile through IRCC’s website

• Provide personal details such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency

Required Documents

Applicants must upload:

• Language Test Results (from an approved provider)

• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) (for foreign education credentials)

• Proof of Settlement Funds (if required)

Approved Language Tests

Candidates must take a language test from an approved provider, including:

• CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index)

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

• PTE Core (Pearson Test of English)

• TEF Canada (Test d’Évaluation de Français)

• TCF Canada (Test de Connaissance du Français)

Language test scores are converted to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) scale and must be valid at the time of application.

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

Foreign education must be assessed by an IRCC-approved organization, such as:

• Comparative Education Service (CES)

• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)

• World Education Services (WES)

• International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)

• International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)

ECAs are valid for five years.

Job Offer Validity

A job offer under Express Entry must be:

• Full-time

• Continuous

• For at least one year

• From a Canadian employer with a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) (unless exempt)

Work Experience Restrictions

The following types of work experience do not qualify for Express Entry:

• Unpaid work or internships

• Self-employment

• Work experience gained as a student (except in some FSWP cases)

If you do not qualify for Express Entry, you may explore:

• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP): Many provinces offer pathways for skilled workers.

• Quebec Immigration Programs: Quebec has its own selection system for permanent residency.

• Family Sponsorship: If you have a close relative who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, they may sponsor you.

The Canadian federal government periodically conducts Express Entry draws to invite candidates to apply for permanent residence. Each draw selects top-ranking candidates from the Express Entry pool who meet the eligibility criteria for that specific round.

Express Entry Draws in 2024

In 2024, Canada held 54 Express Entry draws, issuing a total of 98,803 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to foreign nationals.

Types of Express Entry Draws

The Canadian government conducts three types of Express Entry draws:

1. General Draws – Open to all eligible candidates with valid Express Entry profiles.

2. Program-Specific Draws – Target candidates applying through a specific federal economic program (e.g., Canadian Experience Class - CEC).

3. Category-Based Draws – Selects candidates who meet criteria for a specific category established by the federal government.

Priority Categories for 2025

For 2025, Canada has identified the following priority categories:

• Healthcare

• Trades

• French language proficiency

CRS Score and Candidate Ranking

To receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), candidates must meet the cut-off Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for a given draw. The CRS assigns points based on various factors, with a maximum score of 1,200 points:

Core Human Capital Factors

Points are awarded based on:

• Age

• Education

• Language proficiency

• Canadian work experience

For single applicants, up to 500 points can be earned, while those applying with a spouse/common-law partner can earn up to 460 points, with an additional 40 points allocated to the spouse’s qualifications.

Skill Transferability Factors

Candidates can earn up to 100 additional points for strong combinations of:

• Education

• Foreign work experience

• Language proficiency

• Certificates of qualification

Additional CRS Factors

Up to 600 additional points can be obtained for:

• French language proficiency

• Canadian education credentials

• Arranged employment

• Sibling in Canada

• Provincial or territorial nomination (worth 600 points alone)

How to Improve Your CRS Score?

Boosting your CRS score can significantly enhance your chances of receiving an ITA. Here are key ways to improve:

1. Improve Language Proficiency

• Achieving CLB 10 across all abilities can earn 136 points compared to 68 points for CLB 7.

• High language proficiency contributes to skill transferability factors, adding up to 100 points.

2. Gain More Work Experience

• Canadian work experience awards up to 80 CRS points.

• A combination of foreign work experience and Canadian experience or strong language skills can yield up to 50 additional points.

3. Obtain a Provincial Nomination

• A provincial or territorial nomination guarantees an additional 600 CRS points, making an ITA almost certain.

4. Secure a Valid Job Offer

• A valid job offer from a Canadian employer can provide 50–200 additional points.

• To count, a job offer must be supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or be LMIA-exempt.

What Happens After Receiving an ITA?

Once an ITA is received, the following steps must be completed within 60 days:

1. Accept or Decline the ITA.

2. Gather Supporting Documents (e.g., police certificates, proof of funds, medical exams, biometrics).

3. Complete the Online PR Application via the permanent residence portal.

4. Pay Application Fees (Processing Fee & Right of Permanent Residence Fee).

5. Submit the Application and complete biometrics if required.

6. Wait for Processing (typically 6 months for Express Entry applications).

7. Receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) upon approval.

8. Land in Canada and become a Permanent Resident before COPR expiry.

Understanding NOC and TEER Categories

Candidates' work experience is assessed under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) and categorized based on Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER):

Candidates must select a primary NOC code that matches their job duties, not just their job title.

Settlement Funds Requirement

For Federal Skilled Worker (FSWP) and Federal Skilled Trades (FSTP) applicants, proof of settlement funds is required:

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) does not require proof of settlement funds.

Alternative Pathways If You Don’t Qualify for Express Entry

If you are not eligible for Express Entry, alternative options include:

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

• Many provinces offer base PNPs (not linked to Express Entry) with direct PR application options.

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

• For skilled workers and graduates with job offers in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, or Prince Edward Island.

Federal Immigration Pilot Programs

1. Francophone Community Immigration Pilot – For French-speaking candidates with job offers in designated communities.

2. Agri-Food Pilot – For non-seasonal agricultural workers with Canadian job offers.

3. Rural Community Immigration Pilot – For workers moving to designated rural communities.

Want to Assess Your Eligibility?

If you're considering Express Entry, you can take a Free Express Entry Assessment to check your eligibility and improve your chances of securing an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Conclusion

Express Entry is one of the most efficient pathways to Canadian permanent residency, provided you meet the eligibility criteria and submit a strong application. Ensuring that you have the right documents, language proficiency, and a competitive profile will maximize your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

For a personalized assessment, consult with an immigration professional or use a free Express Entry evaluation tool.