Express Entry is the online system Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses to manage permanent residence applications for skilled workers. If you are planning to move to Canada in 2026 or 2027, understanding how it ranks and invites candidates is the first step to a realistic plan.
The three programs managed by Express Entry
Express Entry is not a visa in itself. It manages applications for three federal economic programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program – for skilled workers with foreign work experience.
- Canadian Experience Class – for people with skilled work experience gained in Canada.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program – for qualified tradespeople.
Provinces and territories can also select candidates from the Express Entry pool through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
How the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) works
Once you create a profile, IRCC gives you a score under the Comprehensive Ranking System. The score is based on factors such as age, education, official language ability (English and/or French), skilled work experience, and, where relevant, your spouse’s profile. The pool is ranked and IRCC invites the highest-ranked candidates in regular “rounds of invitations”.
A provincial nomination received through Express Entry adds a large number of points (600), which is why PNP-specific rounds have much higher cut-off scores. If several candidates share the lowest score in a round, IRCC breaks the tie using the date and time each profile was submitted.
Three types of rounds
- General rounds – open to candidates from all programs.
- Program-specific rounds – for example, Canadian Experience Class or PNP only.
- Category-based rounds – for candidates with specific skills or experience.
The 10 category-based selection categories
According to IRCC, the current categories are:
- French-language proficiency (minimum NCLC 7 in all four abilities)
- 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-based categories, IRCC generally requires at least 12 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in the past three years in one eligible occupation. The physician, senior manager and researcher categories require that experience to be gained in Canada.
Recent cut-off scores (examples)
Cut-offs change with every round. Recent published examples include:
| Date | Round | Invitations | Lowest CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Oct 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 2,500 | 519 |
| 13 Oct 2026 | Provincial Nominee Program | 752 | 772 |
| 1 Oct 2026 | Trade occupations | 3,500 | 476 |
| 29 Sep 2026 | Canadian Experience Class | 2,000 | 518 |
Always check IRCC’s official rounds page for the latest results before making decisions.
What changed in November 2026: job offer points are back
IRCC has announced that, as of 3 November 2026, it is reintroducing job offer points to the CRS under a new labour market integration factor. Points depend on how the offered wage compares with the average median wage:
- 100 points – at least two times the average median wage
- 70 points – 1.5 to under 2 times
- 50 points – 1.3 to under 1.5 times
The factor is capped, and Canadian work experience and job offer points cannot be combined under it. IRCC also states that a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is not needed for a job offer to count, and that having an LMIA does not give extra points. IRCC indicated that rounds could be paused for up to two weeks while profiles are recalculated.
After an invitation
If you are invited, you have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence with your documents, which typically include passports, language test results, an Educational Credential Assessment for foreign education, employment reference letters, proof of funds (unless exempt), police certificates and a medical examination.
How AZ Sterling International can help
We review your profile, estimate your CRS score, explain which rounds and provincial streams you may realistically target, and prepare a complete, consistent application. We never guarantee an invitation or a visa, because those decisions are made only by IRCC and the provinces.
Explore our Canada PR service or request a free assessment.
Sources
- IRCC – Express Entry: who can apply
- IRCC – Rounds of invitations
- IRCC – Category-based selection
- IRCC – What has changed in Express Entry
- Liberty Immigration – Latest Express Entry draws (draw examples)
Information is current as of November 2026 and may change. Always confirm current rules with IRCC.
