Canada Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker)
Canada CAN
Last verified 2025-01-01Official source
Canada's Express Entry is a points-based immigration management system for three federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. Candidates create a profile and receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency; the highest-scoring candidates receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) during regular draws. Successful applicants receive permanent residency directly and may apply for citizenship after three years of physical presence.
Program Details
- Category
- Skilled Worker
- Processing Time
- 7 months
- Application Fee
- $1,000
- Minimum Income
- N/A
- Minimum Investment
- N/A
- Family Included
- Spouse/common-law partner and dependent children included in the application and receive PR simultaneously
- Path to PR
- Yes — 0 years
- Path to Citizenship
- Yes — 3 years
- Physical Presence
- Must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days out of 5 years to maintain PR status; citizenship requires 1,095 days in 5 years
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Tax Impact
- Permanent residents are taxed as Canadian residents on worldwide income from the date of landing
No minimum income requirement, but proof of settlement funds required unless currently working in Canada
Key Requirements
- ✓Meet the eligibility criteria for one of the three federal programs under Express Entry
- ✓Sufficient Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
- ✓Language proficiency in English or French (CLB 7+ for Federal Skilled Worker)
- ✓Minimum one year of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience
- ✓Canadian educational credential assessment (ECA) for foreign degrees
- ✓Proof of settlement funds unless currently working in Canada with a valid work permit
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