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Express Entry

Understand CEC, Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, CRS ranking, category-based selection and what happens after an invitation.

Information snapshot reviewed August 18, 2026. Time-sensitive rules should be verified against the linked official source.

What Express Entry actually is

Express Entry is the federal online system used to manage applications for three economic immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST). Candidates who meet at least one program’s eligibility rules can create a profile and enter the pool. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) then ranks profiles for invitation rounds.

CEC

Canadian Experience Class

For eligible skilled workers with qualifying Canadian work experience. It has its own program rules; having Canadian experience does not automatically mean eligibility.

FSW

Federal Skilled Worker

For skilled workers with foreign work experience who meet the program’s minimum requirements, including the separate 67-point selection-factor threshold.

FST

Federal Skilled Trades

For eligible skilled-trades workers who meet trade-specific program requirements, including the applicable job-offer or qualification-certificate rules.

How the journey works

01

1. Check program eligibility

Determine whether CEC, FSW or FST rules fit your facts before thinking about CRS.

02

2. Gather profile documents

Language results, passport details, education/ECA where required, work history and other profile evidence.

03

3. Create a profile

Submit the Express Entry profile and enter the pool if the system finds you eligible.

04

4. Receive a CRS score

CRS ranks eligible profiles using age, education, language, work experience and other factors.

05

5. Watch applicable rounds

General, program-specific and category-based rounds can target different subsets of candidates.

06

6. If invited, apply for PR

An ITA opens a time-limited permanent residence application stage with supporting evidence.

2026 category-based selection

IRCC currently lists 10 categories. Being in a category does not remove the need to qualify for an Express Entry program and meet the round’s category criteria.

1. French-language proficiencyCategory-based rounds require Express Entry eligibility plus the category-specific criteria in force for that round.
2. Healthcare and social services occupationsCategory-based rounds require Express Entry eligibility plus the category-specific criteria in force for that round.
3. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)Category-based rounds require Express Entry eligibility plus the category-specific criteria in force for that round.
4. Trade occupationsCategory-based rounds require Express Entry eligibility plus the category-specific criteria in force for that round.
5. Education occupationsCategory-based rounds require Express Entry eligibility plus the category-specific criteria in force for that round.
6. Transport occupationsCategory-based rounds require Express Entry eligibility plus the category-specific criteria in force for that round.
7. Physicians with Canadian work experienceCategory-based rounds require Express Entry eligibility plus the category-specific criteria in force for that round.
8. Senior managers with Canadian work experienceCategory-based rounds require Express Entry eligibility plus the category-specific criteria in force for that round.
9. Researchers with Canadian work experienceCategory-based rounds require Express Entry eligibility plus the category-specific criteria in force for that round.
10. Skilled military recruitsCategory-based rounds require Express Entry eligibility plus the category-specific criteria in force for that round.
Official verification: IRCC category-based selection ↗

CRS versus FSW 67 points

These are different systems. The FSW selection-factor grid is an eligibility test for the Federal Skilled Worker Program; the CRS is the ranking system used once an eligible profile is in the Express Entry pool. The current FSW pass mark is 67 out of 100.

A person can meet FSW’s 67-point threshold yet still have a CRS that is not competitive for a particular invitation round. Likewise, CEC candidates do not use the FSW 67-point grid.

Documents to plan early

  • Approved language test results that are valid when required.
  • Educational Credential Assessment for foreign education where the program/profile requires it.
  • Detailed work-history evidence that supports NOC/TEER and qualifying duties.
  • Police certificates and medical examination when required for the PR application.
  • Proof of funds when required by the program and personal circumstances.
  • Provincial nomination documentation if invited through an enhanced PNP stream.

After an ITA

Receiving an ITA is not an approval. The applicant must submit a complete permanent residence application, support the profile claims with evidence, answer statutory questions accurately, complete required biometrics/medical steps, and continue to satisfy the legal requirements that apply.

2026 draw historyCRS comparatorSettlement fundsIELTS → CLBPNP alternatives