Express Entry is how Canada manages most skilled-worker applications for permanent residence. You put a profile into a pool, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) ranks everyone with a points score. It then invites the top-ranked candidates in regular draws. This guide explains who can enter, how the score works in 2026, and what recent draws have actually required. Every figure comes from canada.ca and was checked on 30 September 2026.
What Express Entry is
Express Entry is an application system, not a visa. It covers three federal programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST). Provinces can also nominate candidates from the pool. You must qualify for at least one program to enter. Entering the pool does not guarantee an invitation.
The three programs
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
- At least 1 year of continuous skilled work (or 1,560 hours at 30 hours a week) in the last 10 years, in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3. NOC is Canada's job classification system, and TEER levels 0 to 3 are the skilled ones.
- CLB 7 in all four abilities in your first official language. CLB is the Canadian Language Benchmark scale; NCLC is the French equivalent.
- A Canadian credential, or a foreign one with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
- At least 67 out of 100 on the FSW selection factors. This is a separate test from the CRS score.
- Proof of funds, unless you are authorised to work in Canada and have a valid job offer.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- At least 1 year of skilled work in Canada (or 1,560 hours) in the 3 years before you apply, in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.
- CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs, CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs.
- No education requirement and no proof of funds.
- Self-employment does not count, and neither does work done while you were a full-time student (co-op terms included). The one exception is some publicly funded physicians.
Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
- At least 2 years of full-time work (or 3,120 hours) in a skilled trade within the last 5 years.
- CLB 5 for speaking and listening, CLB 4 for reading and writing.
- Either a valid full-time job offer for at least 1 year, or a Canadian certificate of qualification in your trade.
How it works, step by step
- Check you qualify for at least one program.
- Take an approved language test. Results must be less than 2 years old both when you create your profile and when you submit your application.
- Get an ECA if your education is from outside Canada. It is required for FSW, and it is the only way to get CRS points for education completed abroad.
- Create your profile. You have 60 days to complete and submit it, or you start again.
- Wait in the pool. You are ranked by CRS score. You can raise your score while you wait, for example with a better test result.
- Get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in a draw, if your score and category match.
- Apply within 60 days. The invitation is valid for 60 days only. Submit the full application with documents and fees.
CRS basics
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores you out of 1,200:
- Core human capital (age, education, language, Canadian work experience): up to 500 points if single, or 460 with a spouse or partner
- Spouse or partner factors: up to 40
- Skill transferability (combinations such as education plus language): up to 100
- Additional points: up to 600
The additional points are where scores jump:
- Provincial or territorial nomination: 600
- French at NCLC 7+ in all four skills and English at CLB 5+ in all four: 50. With English at CLB 4 or lower: 25.
- Canadian post-secondary credential: 15 for one or two years, 30 for three years or longer
- Brother or sister in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident: 15
Job offer points are gone. From 25 March 2025, IRCC removed job offer points from the CRS for current and future candidates. Those were 50 points, or 200 for senior management. Older calculators and guides may still count them. A job offer can still matter for eligibility, for example for the FST.
Work out your own score with Visaify's Express Entry CRS Calculator.
2026 draw categories
As well as general and program-specific draws, IRCC runs category-based draws for candidates who meet an economic goal. The category page (updated 22 June 2026) lists ten categories:
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare and social services occupations
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
- Trade occupations
- Education occupations
- Transport occupations
- Physicians with Canadian work experience
- Senior managers with Canadian work experience
- Researchers with Canadian work experience
- Skilled military recruits
For the occupation categories, you need at least 12 months of full-time work (or the part-time equivalent) in an eligible occupation within the past 3 years. The three "with Canadian work experience" categories need that experience in Canada. French-language draws need NCLC 7 in all four abilities. Skilled military recruits need, among other things, an arranged job with the Canadian Armed Forces.
Recent draws and cut-offs
From IRCC's official rounds data, as published on 30 September 2026. The score is the CRS of the lowest-ranked candidate invited.
- 29 Sep 2026 (#446) Canadian Experience Class: 2,000 invited, CRS 518
- 28 Sep 2026 (#445) Provincial Nominee Program: 733 invited, CRS 725
- 16 Sep 2026 (#444) Senior managers with Canadian work experience: 250 invited, CRS 389
- 15 Sep 2026 (#443) Canadian Experience Class: 2,000 invited, CRS 519
- 14 Sep 2026 (#442) Provincial Nominee Program: 576 invited, CRS 734
- 4 Sep 2026 (#441) Healthcare and social services: 3,500 invited, CRS 475
- 19 Aug 2026 (#437) French-language proficiency: 5,000 invited, CRS 382
- 7 Aug 2026 (#434) Transport occupations: 300 invited, CRS 470
- 2 Apr 2026 (#408) Trade occupations: 3,000 invited, CRS 477
How to read this. Provincial Nominee cut-offs look huge because a nomination alone adds 600 points. Category draws often invite people with far lower scores than CEC draws, so an eligible occupation or strong French can matter more than a few extra points. If several candidates tie at the cut-off score, IRCC uses a tie-break: whoever submitted their profile earlier gets the invitation. Cut-offs move with every draw, so treat these as a snapshot, not a target.
Proof of funds
FSW and FST candidates must show settlement funds unless they are authorised to work in Canada and have a valid job offer. CEC candidates are exempt. IRCC updates the amounts each year, based on 50% of the low-income cut-off. On 30 September 2026 the official page still shows the table updated 7 July 2025; no 2026 table had been published:
1 family member: CAD 15,263 · 2: CAD 19,001 · 3: CAD 23,360 · 4: CAD 28,362 · 5: CAD 32,168 · 6: CAD 36,280 · 7: CAD 40,392 · each additional member: CAD 4,112.
Family members include your spouse or partner and dependent children (and your partner's dependent children), even if they are not coming with you or are already Canadian. Check the official page again before you apply, because the table can change.
Fees
IRCC's fee list for economic immigration currently shows CAD 1,590 per adult (you and your spouse or partner). That covers the processing fee plus the right of permanent residence fee. It is CAD 990 if you defer the right of permanent residence fee. Each dependent child is CAD 270, and biometrics are CAD 85 per person. You also pay for language tests, the ECA, medical exams and police certificates.
Common mistakes
- Still counting job offer points. They ended on 25 March 2025.
- Letting a language test expire. It must be under 2 years old at both profile creation and application.
- Picking the wrong NOC code. Your duties decide your TEER level and category eligibility. A wrong code can sink an application after an invitation.
- Counting student or self-employed work for CEC. Neither counts.
- Funds that dip below the minimum. FSW and FST applicants must have the money available both when they apply and when the visa is issued.
- Waiting for a "safe" score. There isn't one. Improving your French, language scores or category eligibility often helps more.
Comparing with Australia? See our Australian points test guide and skilled migration overview.
Frequently asked questions
Does a job offer still give CRS points?
No. IRCC removed job offer points from the Comprehensive Ranking System on 25 March 2025 for current and future candidates. Before that, a job offer was worth 50 points, or 200 for senior management roles. A job offer can still matter for eligibility, for example under the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
What CRS score do I need in 2026?
There is no fixed pass mark; it depends on the draw. In September 2026, Canadian Experience Class draws cut off at 518 to 519, a Healthcare and Social Services draw at 475, and a Senior Managers draw at 389. Provincial Nominee Program draws were above 700 because a nomination adds 600 points.
How much proof of funds do I need for Express Entry?
The IRCC table updated on 7 July 2025, still shown on the official page on 30 September 2026, requires CAD 15,263 for a single applicant, CAD 19,001 for two people and CAD 28,362 for four. Canadian Experience Class applicants do not need proof of funds, nor do those authorised to work in Canada with a valid job offer.
What are the Express Entry categories in 2026?
IRCC lists ten: French-language proficiency; healthcare and social services; STEM; trade; education; transport; physicians with Canadian work experience; senior managers with Canadian work experience; researchers with Canadian work experience; and skilled military recruits.
How long do I have to apply after an invitation?
An invitation to apply is valid for 60 days. You must submit a complete application for permanent residence, with fees and documents, within that time.
Sources
All checked 30 September 2026:
- IRCC: Express Entry rounds of invitations
- IRCC: Category-based selection
- IRCC: CRS criteria
- IRCC: Proof of funds
- IRCC: Educational Credential Assessment
- IRCC: Language test requirements
- IRCC: Federal Skilled Worker Program
- IRCC: Canadian Experience Class
- IRCC: Federal Skilled Trades Program
- IRCC: Apply for permanent residence
- IRCC: Fee list
Disclaimer
This article is for general information purposes only. Express Entry rules, categories, fees and draw results change often, sometimes weekly. This guide was accurate when it was written (30 September 2026) but may not reflect the current rules. Nothing in this article is legal or immigration advice. Always check the official IRCC website at canada.ca. For advice about your situation, speak to a licensed Canadian immigration consultant (RCIC) or a Canadian immigration lawyer.