Reviewed September 26, 2026. Express Entry is the federal online system that manages applications under three permanent-residence programs: the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program. Check which program’s minimum requirements you meet before creating a profile. Eligibility to enter the pool and a high enough rank to receive an invitation are separate questions.
How the CRS ranking works
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) ranks eligible profiles on a scale of up to 1,200 points. Core and skill-transferability factors can account for up to 600 points; additional factors can account for up to 600. Core factors include age, education, language results and Canadian work experience, with different calculations depending on whether an accompanying spouse or partner is included. Additional factors can include a provincial or territorial nomination, eligible Canadian education, strong French results and a qualifying sibling in Canada. Use IRCC’s CRS calculator for a personal estimate.
Job offers no longer add CRS points. IRCC removed the former 50- and 200-point job-offer awards on March 25, 2025. A valid offer may still matter for minimum eligibility under the Federal Skilled Worker or Federal Skilled Trades programs, or for some provincial streams. Include accurate offer details if your program requires them; do not add the old points to your CRS estimate.
How invitations work
IRCC holds general, program-specific and category-based invitation rounds. Each round states how many candidates were invited and the CRS score of the lowest-ranked invited candidate. When profiles tie at the cutoff, IRCC applies a tie-break based on when the profile was submitted. A past cutoff does not promise a future invitation. Check the live rounds page for the latest results and category criteria.
After an invitation
An invitation allows you to submit a complete permanent-residence application within IRCC’s deadline. IRCC then checks program eligibility, documents and admissibility; an invitation is not approval. Plan ahead for language results, education assessments where needed, employment records, identity documents, police certificates, medical examinations and current fees. IRCC’s application instructions are the source for the current steps and deadline.
Correction: An earlier version contradicted itself by saying job offers no longer earned CRS points and then listing them as an additional-points factor. It also presented dated draw results and fees without a current context. Corrected September 26, 2026.
General information only; not immigration or legal advice.
