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Federal Pathway

Express Entry: Canada's fastest federal route to permanent residence.

Express Entry manages three federal economic programs — Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades — through a single ranked pool. We help you build a competitive profile, understand your realistic CRS range, and time your application around the right draw.

Typical Processing
~6 months
After a complete application, post-ITA
Recent CRS Cut-offs
420 – 510
Category draws score lower than general draws
Provincial Nomination Boost
+600 points
Near-guarantees an ITA in the next draw
Government Fees
From ~$1,625
Per adult applicant, processing + right of PR
The Three Programs

Express Entry isn't one program — it's three.

Your profile is automatically assessed against all three. Most candidates qualify for one, sometimes more than one — which matters, because eligibility requirements (and the language bar) differ meaningfully between them.

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

  • At least 1 year of continuous skilled work experience (NOC TEER 0–3) in the last 10 years, anywhere in the world
  • Minimum CLB 7 in all four language abilities
  • An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if you studied outside Canada
  • At least 67 of 100 points on the FSWP's own selection grid (separate from CRS)

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

  • At least 12 months of full-time skilled work experience in Canada (NOC TEER 0–3) in the past 3 years
  • Work must be authorized — time on a study permit doesn't count
  • Language requirement varies by NOC TEER level
  • The most common pathway for international graduates already working in Canada on a PGWP
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): for tradespeople with 12 months of experience in a single eligible trade occupation in the past 3 years. Language bar is lower — CLB 5 in speaking/listening, CLB 4 in reading/writing — and a Certificate of Qualification adds 50 CRS points if you have one.
What Actually Moves Your Score

Understanding the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

Your CRS score — out of 1,200 — determines your place in the pool. IRCC invites top-ranked candidates through regular draws. Here's what the score is actually built from.

  • Core human capital (up to 500 pts single / 460 married): age, education, language ability, Canadian work experience
  • Spouse factors (up to 40 pts): your spouse's education, language, and Canadian work experience
  • Skill transferability (up to 100 pts): combinations of education, work experience, and language ability
  • Provincial nomination (+600 pts): the single biggest lever available, virtually guarantees an ITA
  • French-language proficiency (+25 to +50 pts): NCLC 7+ opens category-based French draws with historically lower cut-offs
  • Canadian education (+15 to +30 pts): credentials completed in Canada
Note on job offers: as of March 2025, job offers no longer add direct CRS points (a change from previous years). A genuine job offer can still matter for program eligibility and provincial nomination — it just doesn't move your score on its own anymore.
Our Process

From profile to permanent residence.

1

Eligibility & CRS Assessment

We review your education, work history, and language scores to confirm which program(s) you qualify for and calculate a realistic CRS estimate.

2

Document & Score Optimization

ECA, language retesting strategy, and identifying every legitimate point you're entitled to — including provincial nomination options if your base CRS is below recent cut-offs.

3

Profile Submission

We build and submit your Express Entry profile, then monitor draws on your behalf for the category or general draw most likely to invite you.

4

ITA to PR Application

Once invited, you have 60 days to submit your full permanent residence application. We prepare and review every document before submission.

Government Fees

What Express Entry costs, in plain numbers.

These are IRCC government fees only, paid directly to the federal government — separate from any consulting fee. Figures are per adult applicant.

ItemFee (CAD)
Processing fee (principal applicant)~$985
Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF)~$640
Educational Credential Assessment (WES)~$264
Language test (IELTS or CELPIP)$300 – $325
Biometrics~$85
Government fees change periodically. We confirm exact current amounts with you before you pay anything, and the RPRF can typically be paid after Approval in Principle rather than upfront.
Common Questions

Express Entry FAQ

What CRS score do I actually need?

It depends entirely on the draw type. General draws have recently ranged from roughly 420–510, while category-based draws (healthcare, trades, STEM, French language) often clear at meaningfully lower scores. We'll tell you honestly where your profile sits against recent trends.

My CRS score is below the cut-off — what are my options?

A provincial nomination is the most powerful lever: it adds 600 points, which clears almost any recent cut-off. We'll assess whether a BC PNP or another province's stream is a realistic fit for your profile.

Do I need a job offer to qualify?

No — CEC and most FSWP applicants qualify without one. FSTP applicants need either a valid job offer or a provincial Certificate of Qualification. Job offers no longer add CRS points directly, but they can still support eligibility and provincial nomination.

How long does the whole process take?

IRCC aims to process complete PR applications within about 6 months after you submit, following your invitation. The time spent waiting in the pool before an invitation varies and depends on your CRS score relative to ongoing draws.

Related Pathways

Other routes worth knowing about.

Get Started

Find out your real CRS score and where you stand.

A free consultation, no obligation — just a clear, honest read on your options.

Book a Free Consultation
Figures and program details reflect publicly available IRCC information as of mid-2026 and are provided for general guidance only — not legal advice. Confirm current details with your consultant before relying on any number here.