Express Entry
Immigration Canada (IRCC) introduced Express Entry Program in January 2015 and since then it has become the main driver of economic immigration to Canada. It is completely an electronic process used to manage applications that are designed specifically for selecting skilled and qualified candidates for Canadian immigration.
Table of Contents
How Does it work?
After meeting the eligibility criteria, applicants need to submit an online profile known as an Expression of interest (EOI), under one of 3 federal Canada immigration programs to the Express Entry Pool. There is a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) in this system Candidates’ profiles are ranked against each other. The highest-ranked candidates will be considered for an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Those receiving an ITA must quickly submit a full application and payment processing fees, within a delay of 90 days. The federal government aims to process complete PR applications in only 6 months.
Eligibility for Express Entry Program
- Age
Highest level of education
Other work experience
Skill transferability
Language skills
Canadian work experience
Federal Skilled Worker Program
Before the FSWP was implemented in 1967, Canada chose skilled worker immigrants based on the personal judgement of each immigration officer, who made a determination whether they believed that a potential applicant might fit in on the Canadian work market. The Canadian government made the decision to employ objective criteria to evaluate all candidates in the same manner, taking into account each one’s age, education, language proficiency, job experience, and occupation, among other things.
Process
Based on your age, education level, language proficiency, and work experience, you will be assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. The Express Entry lotteries are typically held every two weeks, and the winners are invited to submit applications for permanent residency. You should expect your permanent resident status to be granted to you within six months of filing your completed application, allowing you to move to Canada at that point.
Contact Batis Immigration and seek the expertise consultation for Express Entry Application.
Eligibility
- 1 year of continuous work within the last ten years of comparable paid work experience in a skilled occupation with a National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level of 0, A, or B, (Teer 0, 1,2 & 3).
- A Canadian educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) or a foreign credential, along with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
- Language proficiency in English or French equivalent to (CLB) 7 across all sections (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
- Obtain at least 67 points out of a possible 100 on the FSWP grid. The grid used by the program evaluates applicants based on criteria such as age, education, work experience, arranged employment, language proficiency, and adaptability.
- Satisfy (if applicable) the requirements for the settlement funds. Candidates might have to prove they have a particular amount saved up in order to maintain themselves financially once they arrive in Canada.
Selection Factors
Education | Up to 25 points |
Language Skills | Up to 28 points |
Work Experience | Up to 15 points |
Age | Up to 12 point s |
Arranged Employment | Up to 10 points |
Adaptability | Up to 10 points |
Canadian Experience Class
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program aims to provide a specific skilled worker pathway to temporary foreign workers and international graduates who desire to earn permanent residence status. CEC has expanded into one of Canada’s most significant immigration routes for talented workers, and it is widely considered by Canadian governments, local governments, businesses, and immigrants themselves as a huge success.
CEC as an International Student
The primary group of people who obtain permanent residency through the CEC is an international student who later graduates from a qualifying educational program in Canada.
Procedure
– Complete your educational program at an institution of higher learning recognized by Canada.
– Contact Batis Immigration to apply for an application for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
– At least 1,560 hours of Canadian work experience in a NOC TEER category 0, 1, or 3 positions with your PGWP needs to be gained.
– Pass a language exam in either English or French that has been approved by the IRCC to meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) standard (a CLB 7 for NOC TEER category 0 and 1 job experience and a CLB 5 for NOC TEER category 2 and 3 work experience).
-Reach out to Batis Immigration to assist you enter your profile into> the Express Entry pool. If you receive an invitation to apply, IRCC will attempt to complete your application for permanent residency within six months.
CEC as a Temporary Foreign Worker
A year of professional work experience in Canada is required for temporary foreign workers to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class program.
Benefits
- Skilled worker candidates who have lived in Canada before having a significant advantage when integrating into the labour market there. Being young and middle-aged, having high levels of education, work experience, and education, together with developing social and professional networks in Canada, enable CEC immigrants to be very successful in the job market.
- Candidates with Canadian experience can use Express Entry to earn extra Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This raises their chances of getting permanent residency.
- CEC applicants who are selected through Express Entry often receive their permanent residency status within six months of being selected.
- The fact that applicants who are accepted under the CEC do not have to show IRCC evidence of having settlement money to support themselves financially after obtaining permanent status, in contrast to the other two Express Entry programs.
Procedure
- Get a work permit.
- Get at least 1,560 hours of Canadian work experience in a NOC TEER category 0, 1, or 3 positions as the second step.
- Pass a language test in either English or French that has been approved by IRCC and meets the minimal Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) standard (a CLB 7 for NOC TEER category 0 and 1 job experience and a CLB 5 for NOC TEER category 2 and 3 work experience).
- Reach out to Batis Immigration to assist you enter your profile into the Express Entry pool. If you receive an invitation to apply, IRCC will attempt to complete your application for permanent residency within six months.
Eligibility
- Holds, within 36 months of the application date, at least one year of skilled, professional, or technical job experience in Canada.
- Qualify for NOC TEER category 2 or 3 positions, must achieve or surpass a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 5 (“initial intermediate”), or a CLB of 7 (“adequate intermediate proficiency”) for NOC TEER category 0 or 1 positions.
- If you intend to live and work outside of Quebec (if you have job experience in Quebec and a plan to reside there, so you can apply to the Quebec Experience).
Conditions
- In Canada, at least 1,560 hours of skilled labour constitute one year (or 12 months) of work experience. Work that is either full-time or part-time will result in the required 1,560 hours.
- Throughout the application procedure, applicants are permitted to stay in Canada. The Canadian Experience Class, however, is also open to anyone who has left Canada, so long as they apply within three years of quitting their work in Canada.
- The Canadian Experience Class prerequisites follow a pass-or-fail system. The applicant can join the Express Entry pool if the prerequisites are satisfied.
Federal Skilled Trades Program
In order to solve the workforce shortfall in the trades, the federal and provincial governments are making a significant effort to welcome more qualified workers to Canada. Because of its aging population and low birth rate, Canada is increasingly depending on immigration to support its workforce and economic expansion. A major need exists in the skilled trades
Eligibility
- A certificate of qualification* from a province or territorial body OR genuine job offers of ongoing, paid, full-time employment (at least 30 hours per week) from up to two employers in Canada.
- Demonstrate that the applicant achieves the minimal standard defined by the IRCC, which is Canadian Level Benchmark (CLB) 5 for speaking and listening and CLB 4 for reading and writing, by providing proof of basic language competency from a designated language testing organization.
- Holds two years’ worth of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time work) in the skilled trade during the five years before the application.
–be able to show that they have the necessary knowledge, abilities, and work history, as well as that they have completed the job’s primary responsibilities.
Certificate of qualification
– An international worker’s eligibility to work in a skilled trade in Canada can be established by showing their certificate of qualification.
– A certificate of qualification demonstrates that a candidate has completed a certification exam or has fulfilled all requirements for working in a certain province or area.
Eligible Skilled Worker Experience for FSTP under Categories of National Classification(NOC)
Major Group 72: industrial, electrical, and construction trades,
Major Group 73: maintenance and equipment operation trades,
Major Group 82: supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture, and related production,
Major Group 92: processing, manufacturing, and utilities supervisors and central control operators,
Minor Group 632: chefs and cooks, and
Minor Group 633: butchers and bakers.
Candidates for the FSTP must intend to reside outside of Quebec. Quebec has a special immigration system that it uses to choose its own skilled labour force. Please visit the Quebec Skilled Worker Program page if you intend to immigrate to Quebec for more details.
Express Entry in 2026–2028: What has changed?
Since its launch in 2015 by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Express Entry has evolved significantly. These changes have been noticeable in 2024 onward.
Today, it is no longer just a points-based system.
In 2026–2028, Express Entry is driven by:
- Category-based selection draws
- Labour market shortages
- Targeted occupations
- Language-specific priorities (especially French)
This means candidates are no longer competing only on CRS score, but also on how well their profile matches Canada’s economic needs.
At Batis Immigration, we help you align your profile with these priorities, not just submit it.
What is CRS and why it matters
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is used to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool.
It evaluates:
- Age
- Education
- Language ability
- Work experience
- Canadian experience
- Spouse factors (if applicable)
However, in today’s system:
CRS alone is not enough.
Even candidates with high scores may not receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) if they are not aligned with current draw categories.
Category-Based Draws
IRCC now conducts targeted draws for candidates in specific categories such as:
- Healthcare
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
- Skilled trades
- Agriculture and transport
- French-speaking candidates
This creates opportunities for candidates with moderate CRS scores to still receive invitations.
How to increase your CRS score in 2026 (Proven Strategies)
Many applicants underestimate how much strategy affects their success.
1. Improve Language Scores (BIGGEST IMPACT)
Achieving CLB 9 or higher can dramatically increase your CRS score.
2. Add French Language
Even intermediate French (CLB 7) can:
- Unlock category-based draws
- Add significant CRS points
3. Optimize Your NOC Selection
Choosing the correct NOC TEER category is critical.
A wrong NOC can:
- Make you ineligible
- Reduce your CRS
- Lead to refusal
4. Leverage Spouse Points
If applicable:
- Spouse language test
- Spouse education
5. Apply for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
A nomination gives:
- +600 CRS points
- Almost guaranteed ITA
Why many Express Entry applications fail
Despite meeting eligibility, many applicants never receive an ITA.
Common Mistakes:
- Entering the pool without strategy
- Low language scores
- Incorrect documentation
- Ignoring PNP opportunities
- Weak profile positioning
Simply creating a profile is not enough anymore.
Strategic Insight: FSWP in Today’s System
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) remains a key pathway, but:
Invitations are now influenced by:
- Category-based draws
- Labour shortages
- Language advantages
This means:
- Some FSW candidates may wait longer
- Others (in priority sectors) may get invited faster
Why CEC is One of the strongest PR pathways
The Canadian Experience Class is highly valued because candidates:
- Already understand Canadian work culture
- Have local experience
- Integrate faster into the labour market
Because of this, CEC candidates often have higher success rates.
Important 2026 insight for students
International students must plan carefully:
Choosing the wrong program can:
– Limit work permit options
– Reduce PR eligibility
Your study pathway should be aligned with:
- PGWP eligibility
- Express Entry requirements
- Provincial programs
Express Entry timeline (Realistic Expectations)
Typical timelines:
- Profile preparation: 1–2 months
- Time in pool: varies (strategy-dependent)
- PR processing after ITA: ~6 months
Without proper strategy, candidates may remain in the pool indefinitely.
Frequently Asked Questions – Express Entry Canada
There is no fixed minimum score. It depends on the type of draw and category.
Yes, through category-based draws or PNP programs.
No, most Express Entry applicants do not require a job offer.
Not mandatory, but it significantly improves your chances.
Typically every 2–4 weeks, depending on IRCC priorities.
In our experience, the best time for an international student who intends to become a permanent resident in Canada is either before arriving in Canada or as soon as they begin their studies.
If you come to Canada on a work permit, it is also highly beneficial to start planning your permanent residency as soon as you arrive. Applicants who delay until the last minute, waiting for the “ideal” situation, often miss valuable opportunities.
Why choose Batis Immigration for Express Entry?
Express Entry has become more complex and competitive.
At Batis Immigration, we provide:
- Detailed eligibility assessment
- CRS score optimization strategies
- NOC and profile alignment which is most critical part
- PNP pathway planning
- Complete application support
We don’t just submit applications; we build winning immigration strategies.
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