Canada Express Entry–How It Works

Last Updated May 8, 2026 12:00 am

A small flag of Canada on the background of a blurred background

There are three Canada immigration Express Entry programs that you can use to immigrate to Canada under Express Entry eligibility. The first is the Canadian Experience Class, in which you have at least one year of Canadian skilled work experience in the last three years before you apply. The second is the Federal Skilled Worker Program, in which you are a skilled worker with foreign work experience (there are also a few qualifications regarding education, etc). Finally, there is the Federal Skilled Trades Program, which is for skilled workers who are qualified in a specified skilled trade, and which have either a job offer in Canada or a certificate of qualification. Those are the programs. But navigating it can still be hard and there is Express Entry processing time. It all depends on improving your CRS score (Comprehensive Ranking System). Here are a few tips for Express Entry CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada).

Work to improve your IELTS score

The IELTS is the International English Language Testing System, which is a test you must take when emigrating to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Keep in mind that you have to take the IELTS General Training test for immigration purposes. The language ability scores are based on a 1-9 scale. If you’ve taken the test, but haven’t done as well as you like, you’re invited to apply and keep taking it. The IELTS is a big factor when it comes to Express Entry and doing well on it (or doing poorly on it) will affect your ability to immigrate. So if you don’t think you’ve done well, polish up on your English skills and take the test again. Don’t forget, to apply in Canada, you can take tests in English or French.

Don’t Forget Spousal Points

Express Entry candidates will be scored differently if you have a spouse who will be joining you in Canada. You may score less in your base points when applying with your spouse, but you can also gain points from them. There are three factors where your spouse can contribute to your CRS score: level of education, official language proficiency and Canadian work experience. In total, your spouse or common law partner can receive up to 40 points for their skills. Some may consider immigrating without including their spouse first, to maximize their CRS scores, and then working later to sponsor their spouse to join in Canada. It may be a difficult decision to have to split from your spouse or common law partner to qualify, but it just might help.

Secure That Job Offer

Having a job offer in Canada gets you brought almost to the front of the line, scoring you hundreds of CRS points toward Express Entry. This isn’t to say it’s easy, but you should be actively applying for every job opportunity you can in Canada while you’re waiting for your immigration status to be approved. And if you get a job, report it immediately to your Express Entry Profile.

Hit the Books

People applying for express entry who have a post-secondary degree will earn more than 100 more points toward their Express Entry. So while you’re waiting to immigrate, and applying for jobs, try heading back to college and seeing if you can get a good degree that will bring your application to the top of the stack.

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