Express Entry (federal economic programmes)
Not a visa but a ranked pool. You submit a profile, receive a Comprehensive Ranking System score, and wait for a round of invitations. An invitation leads directly to permanent residence — there is no temporary stage.
Who it is for. Skilled workers with post-secondary education, language test results and, usually, several years of experience.
Worth knowing. Settlement fund amounts are revised periodically, and reports for 2026 differ between about CAD 14,690 and CAD 15,263 depending on the update being cited — check the IRCC proof-of-funds page for the figure in force on the day you submit. Proof of funds does not apply to Canadian Experience Class applicants or to most holders of a valid job offer. Being in the pool is not being selected: since immigration levels were cut from 2025, the score needed has risen and category-based rounds now favour particular occupations and French speakers.
- Income required
- Not stated
- Savings required
- CA$15,263
- Investment required
- None
- Application fee
- CA$1,525
- Processing time
- 180–365 days
- Permission lasts
- —
- Permanent residence
- Not via this route
- Citizenship
- After 3 years
Not renewable
Application checklist
Tick things off as you go. Progress is saved in this browser and nowhere else.
0 of 11 done
Eligibility
Documents
Fees
After you arrive
Restrictions
Progress is kept in this browser. It will not follow you to another device, and clearing your site data clears it.
How the process runs
Lead times are the ones the authorities publish or that applicants consistently report. Added up, they come to roughly 18 months — start with whatever takes longest.
Take a language test
≈ 45 daysBook early: results are valid for two years and are the single largest lever on your score.
Get your credentials assessed
≈ 60 daysOrder an educational credential assessment from a designated organisation.
Create your profile and enter the pool
≈ 7 daysProfiles stay in the pool for twelve months. Improving language scores or adding experience raises your rank.
Receive an invitation to apply
≈ 180 daysRounds happen roughly every two weeks, some limited to particular occupations or to French speakers. There is no guaranteed wait.
Submit the full application within 60 days
≈ 60 daysPolice certificates, medicals and proof of funds all have to be ready by this point, which is why they are worth starting early.
Confirm permanent residence and land
≈ 180 daysComplete the landing formalities, then apply for a Social Insurance Number and provincial health cover.
Official forms
Always download the current version from the authority. Consulates publish their own variants, and an out-of-date form is a common reason for rejection.
Express Entry profile
onlinePlaces you in the ranked pool and generates a CRS score.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · English and French
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Permanent residence application and right of permanent residencePayable to IRCCPer adult applicant. The right of permanent residence portion is refunded if you do not become a permanent resident. | CA$1,525 |
| BiometricsPayable to IRCCCapped per family. | CA$85 |
Why we say this
The wording behind the headline figures on this page.
Permanent residents must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days in every rolling five-year period.
The residency obligation requires a permanent resident to be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days within every five-year period, with limited exceptions for time spent accompanying a Canadian citizen spouse or working abroad for a Canadian business.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (opens in a new tab)
Sources
Worth knowing. Settlement fund amounts are revised periodically, and reports for 2026 differ between about CAD 14,690 and CAD 15,263 depending on the update being cited — check the IRCC proof-of-funds page for the figure in force on the day you submit. Proof of funds does not apply to Canadian Experience Class applicants or to most holders of a valid job offer. Being in the pool is not being selected: since immigration levels were cut from 2025, the score needed has risen and category-based rounds now favour particular occupations and French speakers.
Check this against
- Express Entry — the application management system for several economic programmes (opens in a new tab)Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · National immigration authority
- IRCC — immigrate, work, study and visit Canada (opens in a new tab)Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · National immigration authority
- IRCC fee list (opens in a new tab)Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · National immigration authority