Permanent residence in Canada: Express Entry and PNP

Express Entry is the online system IRCC uses to manage applications for three economic programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. You create a profile, get a CRS score and wait in the pool. IRCC holds regular draws and invites the highest-ranked candidates to apply for permanent residence.

The Comprehensive Ranking System gives each profile a score out of 1,200. Most points come from age, education, language ability and work experience, plus the same factors for a spouse or partner if they come with you. Additional points are given for things like a provincial nomination, Canadian study, a sibling in Canada or strong French.

You have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence online. That includes police certificates, a medical exam, proof of funds if your program needs it and documents that support every claim in your profile. IRCC aims to process most complete Express Entry applications within six months of receiving them.

Applicants under the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program usually need to show settlement funds, and the amount depends on family size. You do not need them if you are applying under the Canadian Experience Class, or if you are authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer. IRCC updates the amounts each year.

A nomination from a province through an Express Entry linked stream adds 600 points to your CRS score, which usually leads to an invitation in a following draw. Provinces also run streams outside Express Entry, where you apply to IRCC separately once you are nominated. Each province sets its own criteria and changes them often.