What is the federal Express Entry pool?

The Express Entry system provides Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) with a way to select potential candidates for immigration through the economy/job-based streams, which include the following:

• Federal skilled worker
• Federal skilled trades
• Canadian experience class
• Various subcategories of the provincial nominee programs

Eligibility for the express entry pool is based on a number of factors, including the following:

• Human capital factors of the principal applicant and his/her spouse or common-law/conjugal partner
• English or French language abilities
• Skills transferability factors
• Other factors, including the presence of a sibling in Canada, Canadian study experience, and the existence of a qualifying job offer

IRCC uses a Comprehensive Ranking System to rank candidates in the express entry pool according to these factors. An individual can be awarded up to 1,200 points, the distribution of which depends on whether or not a spouse or partner is accompanying the principal applicant. The federal and provincial governments, as well as potential employers, are able to select permanent residence candidates from this pool based on their ratings. Candidates with the highest ratings are most likely to be selected, since they are regarded as having the highest probabilities of economic success in Canada.

How do I get into the express entry pool?

IRCC provides an assessment form that is designed to determine whether or not you are a candidate for the express entry pool. This form, which can be completed and submitted free of charge, asks questions about your work skills, education, language abilities and other factors that affect your eligibility to apply for permanent residence under one of the economic classes.

If you do not immediately qualify for the express entry pool, you can work on improving your skills in the areas of eligibility so that you can reapply at a later date.

If you are eligible, you will need to make an Expression of Interest by completing and submitting an online profile. The information contained in this profile, such as your work experience and education, is used in the Comprehensive Ranking System.

If the federal government, a provincial government or a potential employer selects you from the express entry pool, you will receive an Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residence. You must submit your application form electronically within 90 days of receiving this letter, and you must submit supporting documents as and when they are requested by IRCC. The usual processing time for permanent residence applications through the express entry pool is about six months.

Candidates in the Express Entry pool who do not receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence in Canada after 12 months may resubmit their profile and re-enter the pool if they still meet the criteria of at least one of the economic immigration programs.