Canada is inviting skilled workers abroad to prepare for permanent residence through its Express Entry immigration system, which manages applications from qualified candidates seeking to settle in the country.
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Express Entry is not a direct job recruitment programme. It is an online immigration system through which the Canadian government selects eligible candidates based on their qualifications, work experience, language ability.
The system manages three immigration programmes: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class. The first targets eligible skilled workers with foreign or Canadian work experience, the second covers qualified skilled tradespeople, while the third is designed for applicants with eligible Canadian work experience.
In February 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced its priority categories for this year’s selection rounds. These include healthcare and social services, education, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), trades, transport occupations and French-language proficiency.
Additional categories cover medical doctors, researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience, as well as skilled military recruits with qualifying job offers from the Canadian Armed Forces.
For renewed occupational categories, the minimum work experience requirement increased to one year in an eligible occupation, gained in Canada or abroad during the previous three years. However, candidates must also satisfy the requirements of an eligible Express Entry programme before qualifying for a category-based invitation.
Creating a profile may not guarantee an invitation, employment or permanent residence. Candidates enter a pool and receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. IRCC conducts invitation rounds and selects eligible candidates according to the applicable criteria and ranking.
Applicants should therefore check the requirements of their intended programme before spending money on assessments, tests or other preparations.
What applicants should prepare
Candidates need approved English or French language test results. Accepted English tests include the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) General Training, Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP-General) and Pearson Test of English (PTE Core). French-language options include Test d’évaluation de français (TEF Canada) and Test de connaissance du français (TCF Canada).
Applicants educated outside Canada may also need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), particularly when applying through the Federal Skilled Worker Program or claiming points for foreign education. Other documents may include proof of work experience, identity documents and evidence of settlement funds, depending on the programme.
Who can apply
Eligibility depends on the selected immigration programme. Applicants must meet its requirements for work experience, language ability, education and other applicable criteria. A Canadian job offer is not compulsory for every Express Entry programme.
How to apply
Interested candidates should visit the official Canadian government Express Entry website at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry.html. Compare the three programmes, check eligibility, complete an approved language test and arrange an ECA where required before creating an online profile. Only candidates who receive an invitation can proceed to apply for permanent residence.
