Express Entry improvements: Spring 2017

Backgrounder

Express Entry is Canada’s flagship application management system for key economic immigration programs, including the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program.

Programs managed through the Express Entry system attract high-skilled foreign workers who want to live in Canada permanently and whose in-demand skills are needed by employers across the country to help build businesses and grow the economy.

Ministerial Instructions with further details are available in the Canada Gazette and on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.

As of June 6, 2017, the Express Entry system will automatically update the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of candidates in the pool. 

Before June 6, 2017 On June 6, 2017

No additional points for candidates with strong French language skills.

The Express Entry system currently awards points for language ability in either of Canada’s two official languages—English or French.

Candidates can get up to 136 points for their first official language and up to 24 points for their second official language.

There are no changes planned for these points, and they will continue to be awarded by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) before and after June 6, 2017.

Further details on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) are on our website.

Additional points for candidates with strong French language skills, with more going to candidates who also have English language skills

Express Entry candidates with strong French language skills, with or without English language skills, will be awarded additional points by the CRS.

A total of 15 additional points will be awarded for test results of the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) at level 7 or higher in all four language skills in French (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and an English test result of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 or lower, or no English test at all.

A total of 30 additional points will be awarded for test results of the NCLC at level 7 or higher in all four skills in French and test results of CLB 5 or higher in all four language skills in English.

French-speaking newcomers contribute to the growth, vitality and prosperity of Francophone minority communities across Canada.

No points for candidates with siblings in Canada

The Express Entry system does not award any points to candidates with siblings in Canada.

Additional points for candidates with siblings in Canada

The Express Entry system will begin awarding 15 points to candidates with siblings in Canada.

To get these points, candidates will need to show that the sibling is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is living in Canada and is 18 years of age or older.

The sibling in Canada must share a mother or father with the principal Express Entry applicant or their spouse or common-law partner. This relationship can be through blood, marriage, common-law partnership or adoption.

Studies have shown that as newcomers build a new life in Canada, those with siblings benefit by having improved integration into Canadian society.

Job Bank registration required

After completing a profile, a candidate must create a Job Bank account if they do not have a valid job offer or a provincial or territorial nomination before they are placed in the pool and become eligible for an invitation round.

Job Bank registration voluntary

Job Bank registration for Express Entry candidates becomes voluntary for all candidates.

Candidates who meet the minimum entry criteria for Express Entry will be automatically placed into the pool and immediately eligible for invitation rounds.

All Express Entry Candidates who would like to start their job search can register for Job Bank.

Employers will still be able to use all of their existing recruiting methods, including Job Bank, to find Express Entry candidates.

Candidates in the pool are ranked by their CRS score

The Express Entry system ranks candidates in the pool by their CRS score alone.

At the time of an invitation round, all candidates with the same CRS score that corresponds to the minimum rank must be invited to apply, making it hard for the Department to manage invitation rounds.

Candidates in the pool are ranked by their CRS score and the date and time their profile entered the pool to rank tied scores.

The Express Entry system will rank candidates in the pool by their CRS score.  Where a CRS tie exists, all tied candidates will then be ranked based on the date and time of their profile submission.

Candidates who update their profile with any new information will keep their original date and time stamp.

A new time and date stamp will be issued to candidates:

  • who choose to withdraw their profile  to complete a new one instead of updating their original profile, and,
  • whose profile has expired and they complete and submit a new one.

Page details

Date modified: