Question Period Note: Express Entry

Status of the Express Entry application system, which is used to manage a number of economic immigration programs.

• We are focused on building a strong economy by attracting the best talent in the world and filling critical gaps in the job market, such as healthcare and construction.

• Express Entry enables us to select skilled workers based on factors that include age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.

• As part of this system, we have the ability to select the best workers with the skills and talent needed in key sectors.

• Launched in January 2015, Express Entry is an online application management system for three federal high skilled immigration programs (the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program) and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program.
• Express Entry allows IRCC to manage application intake through an expression of interest and invitation to apply model.
• Foreign nationals interested in applying through Express Entry must first create a profile (expression of interest). Candidates who meet the minimum requirements for at least one of the federal programs managed in the system are then entered into a pool, and receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which is based on a combination of human capital and other factors.
• Top ranked candidates that meet the criteria for a particular round are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular invitation rounds.
• Invitation rounds in Express Entry can be general (i.e. based solely on CRS score), program specific (i.e. based on candidates’ eligibility for a specific program), or based on category eligibility (i.e. for category-based selection).
• Candidates have 60 days to submit their application after receiving an invitation to apply. IRCC’s service standard is to finalize 80% of complete Express Entry applications within six months, which is currently being met.

Category-based selection
• Categories chosen for Express Entry are selected based on labour market data and consultations with partners and stakeholders, and are intended to select the best talent in the world, who are also equipped to help address labour market needs as they evolve.
• Occupational categories are informed by Employment and Social Development Canada’s (ESDC) Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) projections of occupations anticipated to be in long-term shortage in Canada between 2024 and 2033. By prioritizing candidates with skills in shortage, the Department avoids bringing in more workers than are needed, and supports sustainable immigration levels.
• In 2025, IRCC is conducting category-based invitation rounds that prioritize candidates with strong French language proficiency, or work experience in the following occupations:
o Healthcare and social services occupations, such as family physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists and chiropractors;
o Trades occupations, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors;
o Education occupations, such as teachers, child care educators and instructors of persons with disabilities.

Housing
• Addressing housing pressures in Canada is a whole of government effort. IRCC is doing its part through a trades-specific category to help attract skilled talent to support the housing industry.
o Between 2019 and July 31, 2025, 20,190* construction workers were admitted to Canada under Express Entry.

Job offers
• As of March 25, 2025, Express Entry no longer awards points for job offers. This measure is due to concerns about fraud risk related to job offers and Labour Market Impact Assessments.
• We recognize that this change makes is more difficult for some candidates to receive an invitation to apply, including senior managers and executives and have heard feedback from stakeholders to that effect.
• We are continuing to monitor the impact of the removal of these points and are exploring ways to address the challenges.

Express Entry review
• The Department is undertaking a review of Express Entry to ensure that its core federal economic immigration programs and selection system are calibrated to attract the best talent in the world and achieve strong economic outcomes.

*Notes:
- Data are preliminary estimates and are subject to change.