Express Entry is Canada’s online system for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents. You create a profile, and the Canadian government scores it on factors like age, education, language skills and work experience. Candidates with the highest scores are invited to apply for permanent residence. At TRV Global, we help you check your eligibility, build a strong profile and submit an accurate application, so you can focus on planning your move.
Who can apply (requirements)
Express Entry covers three federal programs. You need to qualify for at least one:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program: for skilled professionals with work experience from inside or outside Canada.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program: for qualified tradespeople such as electricians, welders and plumbers.
- Canadian Experience Class: for people who already have skilled work experience in Canada.
Basic requirements for most applicants:
Age
There is no fixed age limit for Express Entry, but age affects your points. You get the most points between 20 and 29. Points slowly drop after 30, so the earlier you apply, the better.
Education
You need at least a high school (secondary) diploma. A college degree or higher gives you more points. If you studied outside Canada, you need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to show that your degree is equal to a Canadian one.
IELTS (Language)
You must prove your English or French with an approved test. For English, take the IELTS General Training test. Most skilled worker applicants need at least CLB 7, which means a score of 6.0 in each part: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Higher scores give you many more points.
NOC (Your Job)
NOC means National Occupation Classification. It is Canada’s list of jobs. Your work experience must be in a skilled job on this list (TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3, or an eligible skilled trade). Check your job’s NOC code to see if you qualify. Usually you need at least 1 year of skilled work experience (2 years for skilled trades).
CRS (Your Score)
CRS means Comprehensive Ranking System. It gives your profile a score out of 1,200 based on your age, education, language, work experience and other factors. Canada regularly invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply for permanent residence. Check how CRS points work on the official Government of Canada website.
Note: Quebec runs its own immigration programs and does not use Express Entry.
Benefits
- Permanent residence: live, work and study anywhere in Canada (outside Quebec’s own programs).
- Fast, online process: applications are managed digitally from start to finish.
- Family included: your spouse or partner and dependent children can come with you.
- Healthcare and social benefits: access to Canada’s public healthcare and social programs.
- Path to citizenship: you can apply for Canadian citizenship once you meet the residency requirements.
- Merit-based: your score depends on your own skills and experience, so you don’t need a job offer to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.