Express Entry

Express Entry is Canada’s flagship immigration system for skilled workers — a points-based pool where candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and the highest-scoring profiles get invited to apply for permanent residency in regular draws. It’s the fastest legal pathway to PR for most skilled professionals: typical processing time after invitation runs around six months, compared to multiple years for other streams.

This section covers what you need to compete in the Express Entry pool: the CRS score thresholds in recent draws and how to improve yours, the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) pathway that lets international students transition into Express Entry, and the proof-of-funds requirements that trip up otherwise-eligible applicants. If you’re at the start of your immigration journey and trying to figure out whether Express Entry is your best path, start here.