
Canada Immigration Express Entry Step by Step
What are the steps to apply for express entry?
Express Entry steps. Express entry is an online system that IRCC uses to manage applications for permanent residence from skilled workers. The Express Entry system allows Canada to actively recruit, assess and select skilled immigrants under the three Federal High Skilled economic-class immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Class; the Federal Skilled Trades Class; and the Canadian Experience Class.

Step 1: Find out if you’re eligible
There are two ways to find out if you’re eligible for a program that is part of Express Entry:
- answer a few questions to see if you meet the minimum requirements
- read the detailed requirements for each program
Step 2: Get your documents ready
You need documents, such as language test results, to show that you’re eligible for Express Entry. Some documents take a long time to get, so you should get them ready now.
Step 3: Submit your profile
You may pre-qualify for a Canada immigration program.
Your Express Entry profile is where you give us information about yourself.
If you’re eligible, we’ll accept you into our pool of candidates.
You’ll be ranked in the Express Entry pool using a points-based system. Your score is based on the information in your profile.
Step 4: Receive an invitation and apply for permanent residence
We send invitations to apply to the candidates with the highest scores in the pool. If we invite you to apply, you’ll have 60 days to submit your application for permanent residence.
We’ll process most complete applications that have all the supporting documents in 6 months or less.

Others find the following useful and relevant
- Your Immigration Options
- Canadian Permanent Residence
- Provincial Nominee Programs
- Free Immigration Evaluation
- Express Entry CRS Points Calculator
- Provincial Nominee Programs Finder
You may pre-qualify for a Canada immigration program.