Migration Overseas
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Everything you need to know about Canada's flagship immigration system - eligibility, CRS points, programs, draws, and step-by-step application process.
Category-Based Rounds: IRCC lists 10 categories for 2026: French, healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, education, transport, physicians, senior managers, researchers and skilled military recruits. Agriculture is not one of them. No general round was held in 2026 up to 28 October, and Canadian Experience Class cutoffs ranged from 507 to 523. IRCC paused rounds from 3 November 2026 to rescore profiles.
Express Entry is Canada's primary immigration management system for skilled workers seeking Permanent Residency. It manages applications for three federal economic immigration programs:
Candidates create an online profile and are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranking candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular draws.
Three pathways under the Express Entry system
For skilled workers with foreign work experience who want to immigrate to Canada permanently.
For skilled workers who have recent Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents.
For skilled tradespeople who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade.
Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades candidates must show they can support themselves and their family, unless they are exempt. You are exempt if you apply under the Canadian Experience Class, or if you are already authorized to work in Canada and also have a valid job offer. A job offer alone does not remove the requirement for an applicant outside Canada. IRCC updated the table below on July 7, 2025.
| Family members | Funds required (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 15,263 |
| 2 | 19,001 |
| 3 | 23,360 |
| 4 | 28,362 |
| 5 | 32,168 |
| 6 | 36,280 |
| 7 | 40,392 |
| Each additional member | 4,112 |
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) assigns points based on various factors. Maximum possible score is 1,270 points following the Labour Market Integration (LMI) change of 3 November 2026. See our November 2026 CRS changes guide.
| Factor | Single | With Spouse |
|---|---|---|
| Core/Human Capital | - | |
| Age (max at 20-29) | 110 | 100 |
| Education | 150 | 140 |
| Language (1st official) | 136 | 128 |
| Language (2nd official) | 24 | 22 |
| Labour Market Integration (LMI): Canadian work experience (40 to 80, plus a high-wage bonus of 20, 40 or 70) OR a high-wage job offer (50, 70 or 100), whichever is higher | 150 | 140 |
| Spouse Factors | N/A | 40 |
| Skill Transferability | 100 | |
| Additional Points | - | |
| Provincial Nomination (PNP) | +600 | |
| Job offer (LMIA or arranged employment) as an additional factor | 0 (counted under LMI above) | |
| Canadian Education (3+ years) | +30 | |
| French Proficiency (CLB 7+) | +25-50 | |
| Sibling in Canada (PR/Citizen) | +15 | |
How to apply through Express Entry in 2026:
Determine which Express Entry program you qualify for (FSW, CEC, or FST). Use the eligibility tools to verify you meet minimum requirements.
Complete IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General or PTE Core for English, or TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French. Results must be less than 2 years old when you create your profile and when you apply. Aim for CLB 9 or higher for more points.
Have your foreign education evaluated by a designated organization (WES, IQAS, etc.). Processing time varies by organization, and the report must be less than 5 years old when you create your profile and when you apply. Not required for Canadian education.
Submit your profile online with personal info, education, work experience, language scores, and other details. Profile is valid for 12 months.
If your CRS score meets the cutoff in a draw, you receive an ITA. You have 60 days to submit a complete PR application with all documents.
Upload all documents including police certificates, medical exam results, and proof of funds. Pay the fees: CAD 1,590 per adult (CAD 990 processing plus CAD 600 right of permanent residence fee), CAD 270 per dependent child, and biometrics of CAD 85 per person or CAD 170 per family.
After approval, receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and PR visa. IRCC's service standard for Express Entry applications is 6 months for 80% of applications, and its processing times tool shows current times. Land in Canada to activate PR status.
Since 2023, IRCC has held targeted rounds for specific categories. IRCC lists 10 categories for 2026. In 2026 rounds up to 28 October, cutoffs in category rounds were generally lower than in Canadian Experience Class rounds (507 to 523): French 382 to 435, healthcare 467 to 475, trades 476 to 477 and transport 470 to 477. No general round and no STEM round was held in 2026.
Tip: Agriculture is not a category. Most categories need 12 months of work experience in the past 3 years in one listed occupation. Check the latest rounds on the IRCC website.
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