IMMIGRATION — EXPRESS ENTRY

Express Entry — CEC, FSW, and FST permanent residence.

Canada's federal economic immigration system for skilled workers — from initial eligibility assessment and profile creation through CRS optimisation, Invitation to Apply, and the full PR application. We handle CEC, FSW, and FST end-to-end.

Get in TouchCall 647-286-4266
REGULATED CONSULTANT
RCIC
LICENSED PARALEGAL
Law Society of Ontario
BASED IN
Brampton, ON
OVERVIEW

How Express Entry works.

Express Entry is IRCC's online intake system for managing applications under three federal economic immigration programs: Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), and Federal Skilled Trades (FST). It also handles the Express Entry stream of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Eligible candidates submit an online profile, are scored under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and enter a pool valid for 12 months. IRCC issues Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in regular draws — some general (highest scores), others category-based (targeting specific occupations or French speakers). After an ITA, you have 60 days to file a complete PR application. IRCC's service standard for most files is six months from submission.

THE THREE PROGRAMS

Which Express Entry program fits you.

All three programs share the same Express Entry profile, CRS scoring, and ITA process. What differs is the underlying eligibility — most of our work begins by confirming which program (or programs) you qualify under.

CEC

Canadian Experience Class

For people already working in Canada.

  • 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) within the past 3 years
  • Language: CLB 7 for TEER 0/1, CLB 5 for TEER 2/3
  • No formal education requirement to qualify (education adds CRS points)
  • Must plan to live outside Quebec (Quebec runs its own system)
FSW

Federal Skilled Worker

For skilled workers anywhere in the world.

  • 1+ year of continuous skilled work experience (TEER 0/1/2/3) in the past 10 years
  • Language: CLB 7 minimum across reading, writing, listening, speaking
  • Education: ECA report required for foreign credentials (Canadian high school equivalency or higher)
  • Pass the 67-point FSW selection grid (age, language, education, work, employment, adaptability)
FST

Federal Skilled Trades

For skilled tradespeople with a job offer or Canadian certification.

  • 2 years of full-time work experience in an eligible skilled trade within the past 5 years
  • Language: CLB 5 speaking/listening, CLB 4 reading/writing
  • Either a valid Canadian job offer (1+ year, full-time) or a Canadian certificate of qualification in the trade
  • Must meet job-duty and essential-task requirements of the trade NOC
COMPREHENSIVE RANKING SYSTEM

How CRS points work.

Every Express Entry profile gets a CRS score out of a possible 1,200 points. IRCC issues invitations in each draw down to a cutoff score — the higher your score, the sooner you're invited. We optimise score-building inputs before you submit (language tests, ECA timing, work experience documentation, French if relevant) so your profile enters the pool at its strongest.

Calculate your CRS score →

Core human capital

Age, education, official language ability, Canadian work experience. The biggest block of points for single applicants.

Spouse / partner factors

If you're applying with a spouse, points are split between the principal applicant and the partner across education, language, and work experience.

Skill transferability

Combinations of education + work experience + language earn additional points (e.g. higher education combined with strong English and Canadian work experience).

Additional points

Provincial nomination adds 600. Valid arranged employment adds 50 or 200 depending on the role. French proficiency, Canadian study credentials, and a sibling in Canada also add points.

CATEGORY-BASED SELECTION ROUNDS

Since 2023, IRCC also issues invitations through category-based rounds — drawing from in-pool candidates who meet specific occupation, language, or sector criteria. Cutoff scores in category rounds are usually lower than general rounds for qualifying profiles. Current categories:

  • Healthcare and social services
  • STEM (science, technology, engineering, math)
  • Skilled trades
  • Transport
  • Agriculture and agri-food
  • Education
  • French-language proficiency

IRCC refreshes the category list each year based on labour-market priorities. We confirm current eligibility at your consultation.

HOW WE WORK IT

From eligibility check to PR.

Every Express Entry file at JSR is handled directly by Jugraj — no junior reviewers, no handoffs. Below is the four-step path most economic-class files follow.

01

Eligibility assessment & profile prep

We confirm which program(s) you qualify under, map your work history to the right NOC/TEER, plan your language test (IELTS General / CELPIP for English, TEF/TCF for French), and order an ECA if needed.

02

Profile submission & pool entry

We submit your Express Entry profile with the strongest documented score. Your profile is valid in the pool for 12 months. We monitor every draw and update your profile when scores change.

03

Invitation to Apply (ITA)

When your CRS meets the round cutoff (general or category-based), IRCC issues an ITA. You have 60 days to file the complete electronic application for permanent residence (e-APR).

04

PR application, decision, landing

Full document package, medicals, biometrics, and IRCC submission. We respond to procedural fairness letters and follow up on stalled files. Service standard for most files is six months — we walk you through landing once approved.

WHAT WE'LL ASK FOR

Documents at a glance.

The exact list depends on your program, country, and family situation. This is the working inventory most Express Entry files need — we customise it after the first consultation.

Identity & status

  • Passport biodata pages (all family members)
  • Birth certificates
  • Current Canadian status documents (if in Canada)
  • Marriage / divorce records where applicable

Language results

  • IELTS General Training or CELPIP-General (English)
  • TEF Canada or TCF Canada (French)
  • Results must be less than 2 years old at profile submission
  • Retake if scores no longer support your target CRS

Education

  • Canadian transcripts, diplomas, or degrees (originals)
  • Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign credentials from a designated organisation
  • ECA is valid 5 years from the report date

Work experience

  • Reference letters listing duties matched to the NOC
  • Employment dates, hours per week, salary
  • Pay records (T4, Notice of Assessment, payslips) and contracts
  • LMIA + offer of employment if claiming arranged-employment points

Other PR-stage requirements

  • Proof of settlement funds (FSW and FST without Canadian job offer)
  • Police certificates from every country lived in for 6+ months as an adult
  • Upfront medical exam by a panel physician
  • Biometrics appointment confirmation
GOVERNMENT FEES

What IRCC charges.

These are the government fees payable to IRCC at the application stage. They apply across CEC, FSW, FST, and the Express Entry stream of the Provincial Nominee Program.

  • Principal applicantCAD $1,590
    Processing fee + right of permanent residence fee combined.
  • Spouse or common-law partnerCAD $1,590
    Same combined fee as the principal applicant.
  • Dependent childCAD $270 each
  • Right of permanent residence fee (if deferred)CAD $600
    Already included in the $1,590 above when paid up-front. Can be paid separately before landing.
  • BiometricsCAD $85 / person · $170 family max

IRCC fees as of April 30, 2026. Medical exam, language tests, ECA reports, translations, and police certificates are billed separately by their respective providers.

View the current IRCC fee schedule ↗
FAQ

Questions we're asked most.

Ready to plan your Express Entry path?

Send a short summary of your work history, education, and language status. We'll respond within one business day with the program(s) you qualify under and the next steps.

Get in Touch647-286-4266