How does Canada's Express Entry points system work, and who can apply?

Checked on 2026-10-26

Key facts

The three programs

Express Entry is not itself a program. It is the system IRCC uses to manage applications for three economic immigration programs:

Canadian Experience Class (CEC) — for people who already have skilled work experience in Canada. You need at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of work in TEER categories 0, 1, 2 or 3 within the last 3 years. Language: CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs, CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3. No job offer or formal education is required for eligibility, though these add CRS points.

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) — for skilled workers with experience outside Canada. You need at least 1 year of continuous work in TEER 0–3 in the last 10 years, CLB 7 in English or French, and at least secondary education. You must also score at least 67 points on the FSW points grid (age, education, work, language, job offer, adaptability).

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST) — for qualified tradespeople. You need at least 2 years of trade experience in the last 5 years in a designated trade under a recognised NOC group, CLB 5 in speaking and listening and CLB 4 in reading and writing, and either a valid full-time job offer for at least 1 year or a certificate of qualification from a provincial or territorial authority.

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)

Once you enter the Express Entry pool, you are scored on the Comprehensive Ranking System out of 1,200 points. Core human capital factors (age, education, language, work experience) can earn up to 500 points with a spouse or 600 without. A further 600 points come from skill transferability and additional factors, including a provincial nomination — which is worth 600 points on its own and effectively guarantees an invitation. IRCC holds regular draws and invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply for permanent residence.

New from November 3, 2026: high-wage points

IRCC is introducing a Labour Market Integration factor that awards extra CRS points for work experience or a qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation. The more above the median wage you earn, the more points:

• 2× the median wage: 70 points for work experience, 100 for a job offer
• 1.5× the median wage: 40 points for experience, 70 for a job offer
• 1.3× the median wage: 20 points for experience, 50 for a job offer

You receive points for either work experience or a job offer, not both — whichever is higher. The maximum is 150 points (without a spouse) or 140 (with a spouse). Importantly, from this date an LMIA is no longer required for a job offer to count for CRS points; the offer must still be assessed by an officer as genuine.

Related questions

• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP): each province and territory runs its own immigration streams. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points.
• After receiving an invitation to apply, you have 60 days to submit a complete application. IRCC processes most applications within 6 months.

This is general information, not legal advice, and Lumen is not a law firm. Rules change and offices differ: check the official sources above before you act. Found something wrong or out of date? Write to support@lumen.observer.