Express Entry Program
Immigration Nation – Immigration Consultant Edmonton
Are you looking to settle in Canada as a skilled worker and become a permanent resident? Canada’s Express Entry system offers a fast, efficiently pathway for skilled immigrants. Since its launch in 2015, it has undergone significant developments, including new category-based selection rounds that focus on in-demand occupations and skills.
Below, we explain how Express Entry works, outline strategies to maximize your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and detail the new categories that may allow you to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) even if your CRS isn’t among the highest.
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Express Entry Program
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an online immigration system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage applications for three federal economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Candidates create an Express Entry profile on the IRCC portal, receiving a CRS score based on factors like age, education, language proficiency, and work experience. Periodically, IRCC conducts draws—inviting top-scoring profiles to apply for permanent residence.
Key Steps in Express Entry
- Create an Online Profile
Provide details about your age, education, work experience, language test results, and more. - Enter the Express Entry Pool
Once complete, you join the pool of candidates. The CRS ranks you against others. - Invitation to Apply (ITA)
If IRCC holds a draw and your score meets or exceeds the cut-off, you receive an ITA. - Submit Your Application
You have 60 days to provide all documents (police certificates, language results, proof of work experience, etc.). IRCC aims to finalize most applications within 6 months.
CRS Score: Ways to Improve
Your CRS score determines your chance of getting an ITA. Consider these tips:
- Boost Language Proficiency
High IELTS or CELPIP (English) or TEF (French) results can significantly raise your total points. - Enhance Education Credentials
Additional diplomas, degrees, or recognized Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) can yield higher points. - Accumulate Skilled Work Experience
More years (up to 5 in Canada or 3 abroad, depending on the program) can improve your CRS. - Secure a Valid Job Offer
May add 50 or 200 points, depending on the occupation’s TEER level. - Obtain a Provincial Nomination (PNP)
PNP endorsement adds +600 CRS—virtually guaranteeing an ITA. - Apply with a Spouse/Partner
Sometimes designating the spouse with stronger credentials as principal applicant helps. Spousal factors (e.g., language tests) can also add points.
Category-Based Selection: 2025 Overview
In category-based rounds, IRCC invites candidates who meet specific labor market needs, such as occupation or language criteria. Even if you don’t rank at the top of the CRS distribution, you could still be selected if you fall under one of the target categories:
- French-Language Proficiency
- Healthcare and Social Services Occupations
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Occupations
- Trade Occupations
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations
- Education Occupations
Category-based draws supplement other round types (general, PNP-specific, etc.). IRCC chooses categories annually based on labor market data and stakeholder input. Below is a summary of each category’s eligibility.
- French-Language Proficiency
Who Qualifies: Candidates with French test results (TEF or TCF) showing at least NCLC 7 in all four abilities (listening, speaking, reading, writing).
Key Notes:
- No occupation requirement; strictly language-based.
- Bilingual candidates (English + French) often have a significant CRS advantage.
- Healthcare & Social Services Occupations
Eligibility: 6+ months of full-time, continuous work experience in one of IRCC’s designated healthcare NOC codes within the past 3 years. Occupations range from registered nurses and physicians to social workers and dentists.
Sample Healthcare Occupations Table:
Occupation | 2021 NOC Code | TEER |
Registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses | 31301 | 1 |
General practitioners and family physicians | 31102 | 1 |
Social workers | 41300 | 1 |
…and more (refer to IRCC’s official list) | – | – |
(View our dedicated Healthcare Occupations Blog for the full table.)
- Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)
Eligibility: At least 6 months of continuous experience in recognized STEM roles—e.g., electrical engineers, IT specialists, mechanical engineers, or architectural managers—within the past 3 years.
Sample STEM Occupations Table:
Occupation | 2021 NOC Code | TEER |
Cybersecurity specialists | 21220 | 1 |
Mechanical engineers | 21301 | 1 |
Electrical/electronics engineers | 21310 | 1 |
…and more | – | – |
(See our STEM Occupations Blog for all listed codes.)
- Trade Occupations
Eligibility: Skilled trades professionals—electricians, carpenters, cooks, etc.—with at least 6 months of continuous experience in the past 3 years under one recognized NOC. This category covers both construction trades and related supervisors.
Sample Trade Occupations Table:
Occupation | 2021 NOC Code | TEER |
Electricians (except industrial/power system) | 72200 | 2 |
Carpenters | 72310 | 2 |
Cooks | 63200 | 3 |
…and more | – | – |
(Check our Trade Occupations Blog for the full list.)
- Agriculture & Agri-Food Occupations
Eligibility: 6+ months of experience in an agriculture-related role, such as butchers in retail/wholesale, within the last 3 years.
Current Occupations:
- Butchers (retail/wholesale) – NOC 63201 (TEER 3)
While the list is currently short (butchers only), IRCC may expand it if Canada’s agri-food sector experiences further labor demands.
- Education Occupations
Eligibility: At least 6 months of experience as a teacher, early childhood educator, instructor for persons with disabilities, or assistant in the past 3 years.
Sample Education Occupations Table:
Occupation | 2021 NOC | TEER |
Elementary & secondary school teacher assistants | 43100 | 3 |
Early childhood educators and assistants | 42202 | 2 |
Elementary & kindergarten teachers | 41221 | 1 |
Secondary school teachers | 41220 | 1 |
Instructors of persons with disabilities | 42203 | 2 |
How Immigration Nation Can Help
At Immigration Nation – Immigration Consultant Edmonton, we provide personalized, start-to-finish assistance for Express Entry applicants:
- Profile Creation & CRS Optimization: We help you gather the right documents and highlight factors that maximize your ranking.
- Category Strategy: Unsure if you qualify for Healthcare, STEM, or Education? We pinpoint the correct NOC codes and category eligibility.
- PNP Exploration: If your CRS is lower, a provincial nomination can add +600 points. We match you to relevant PNP streams.
- Ongoing Support & Updates: Express Entry draws can change frequently. We keep you informed, so you never miss an ITA opportunity.
Contact us at (780) 800-0113 or [email protected] to get started.
Our Edmonton office is located at:
9038 51 Ave NW, Suite 206, Edmonton, AB T6E 5X4
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I qualify for more than one category-based selection?
Yes. If you have relevant work experience across multiple categories (e.g., Healthcare and Education), IRCC may invite you under whichever category has an active draw, provided you meet its specific criteria. - Is my CRS irrelevant if I fall under a category?
No, you still need to rank competitively within that category’s pool. Category-based draws can haveCRS cut-offsthat vary from general draws. - Does 6 months of part-time experience qualify for category-based selection?
Yes, as long as it’scontinuousand equivalent to 6 months full-time. IRCC typically calculates part-time hours to see if they total the required period. - I have multiple occupations. Which NOC should I choose?
Focus on thesingleNOC you have at least 6 months continuous experience in that matches a designated category. Your primary occupation must align precisely with IRCC’s table codes. - What if I’m missing an ECA or language test?
You must have these resultsbeforecreating a final Express Entry profile. While you can still create a partial profile, you won’t be eligible for an ITA until your official scores/assessments are added. - How often do category-based draws occur?
IRCC does not have a fixed schedule for them. They supplement general draws or program-specific draws, as Canada’s labor market needs evolve. - If I’m invited under a category, do I have to stay in that occupation after I land?
Generally, no. Upon becoming a permanent resident, you’re free to pursue any occupation. However, IRCC expects you had genuine experience in the occupation you claimed.
Ready to Start Your Express Entry Journey?
Immigration Nation – Immigration Consultant Edmonton is committed to guiding you toward Canadian permanent residence—whether through general or category-based Express Entry draws. Let us tailor a strategy that maximizes your CRS and capitalizes on specialized healthcare, STEM, trades, education, or other categories.
Book a Consultation today:
- Phone: (780) 800-0113
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 9038 51 Ave NW, Suite 206, Edmonton, AB T6E 5X4
We look forward to helping you achieve Express Entry success in 2025 and beyond!
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