Immigrate to Canada: How to create an Express Entry profile

If you want to immigrate to Canada as an experienced professional or skilled worker, take advantage of the Express Entry system. This video takes you through the steps of completing an Express Entry profile.

This video is also available in HD on YouTube where you can leave a comment, share it on your social network or embed it into your site. Watch it now.

Transcript: “Immigrate to Canada: How to create an Express Entry profile”

Video length: 4:42 minutes

A globe spins against a blue background.

White arrows originate from various global points and lead to Canada.

Multi-colored triangles dot the map of Canada representing various Canadian locations.

Narrator: Canada welcomes immigrants from around the world for their experience, skills and ability to contribute to Canada’s economy. They also bring diversity and help build vibrant communities.

An animated keyhole appears on the map of Canada.

Narrator: If you are an experienced professional or skilled worker, and you want to come to Canada permanently, take advantage of the Express Entry system.

A large red key, shaped as a maple leaf is inserted into the keyhole.

Narrator: This video will help you create an online Express Entry profile – the first step in the process.

A blue sphere head and shoulder avatar appears against a pink background.

The full upper torso avatar is shown beside a variety of job skill related animations.

Narrator: In your profile, you will tell us about your skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other details.

The avatar rests on a pink shelf as animated documents appear beside it.

Several other similar images appear perpendicular to the original.

Narrator: If you meet the criteria, you will be placed in the Express Entry pool. You will get points and given a score based on the information in your profile.

Text displays: “EXPRESS ENTRY POOL”.

Numbers appear beside each of the avatar’s documents.

The original avatar slides up into its numerical order in relation to the others.

Narrator: Your score will be used to determine your position in the pool. The top candidates in the pool are then invited to apply for permanent residence.

Several avatars are separated from the rest.

Text displays: “INVITED CANDIDATES”.

Text displays against a white background: “STEP ONE – Check Your Eligibility”.

An illustrated laptop displays an IRCC web site page with the heading, “Do you want to come to Canada as a skilled immigrant?”.

Text displays above the laptop: “Come to Canada – online tool”.

Narrator: Start by using the Come to Canada online tool to see if you meet the criteria to get into the Express Entry pool. This step will take about 15 minutes to complete.

A pie chart with one quarter colored orange appears beside the laptop with the text, “15 minutes”, beside it. It is replaced by an illustrated document with the heading, “LANGUAGE TEST”. Circles labeled, “English” and “French” are added to the document. They are replaced by orange circles labeled, “CELPIP”, “IELTS” and “TEF”.

Narrator: We need to know your language ability in English or French. You’ll have to take a language test at one of the approved testing agencies before filling out your profile

Have these things ready:

  1. Your language test results; and
  2. The skill type of the job your work experience is in and, if different, the job you plan to have in Canada

An illustrated document with the heading, “LANGUAGE TEST” is shown with the number “8.5” beside the first paragraph and “7.5” beside the second one. Another illustrated document with the heading, “SKILL TYPE or your WORK EXPERIENCE and JOB YOU SEEK IN CANADA” appears on top of the previous document.

An illustrated computer screen displays an IRCC web site page with the heading, “Find your job title, code and skill type”.

Text displays: “National Occupational Classification – NOC”.

Narrator: Find the skill type of your job in Canada’s job classification system (the National Occupational Classification or NOC). Use our online tool at Canada.ca/ExpressEntry

Text displays: “Canada.ca/ExpressEntry”.

An illustrated diploma is shown.

Text displays above the diploma: “Educational Credential Assessment”.

Narrator: If you want to get points for the education you got outside of Canada, you will need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). You can learn more about ECAs and the organizations that offer them by visiting our website.

An illustrated computer screen displays an IRCC web site page with the heading, “Your results”.

Text displays above the screen: “Reference code”.

Narrator: After you have finished entering in all of your info in the Come to Canada Tool, and if you got a positive result, a reference code will show on the screen.

A series of numbers and letters flashes on the computer screen. A green checkmark appears beside the screen.

Narrator: Write this code down. You will need it later when you go to build your Express Entry profile.

A piece of paper with the handwritten text, “Express Entry – Reference Code – NI6185828705” is shown beside an illustrated laptop.

Text displays “Reference code – Write it down!”

Text displays on a white background: “STEP TWO – Gathering Your Information”.

Narrator: The next step is to gather the other things you will need to fill out your Express Entry profile. This may take some time so start getting your information together right away.

Associated verbatim text displays and sample illustrated documents appear on a white background as the narrator reads a list.

Narrator: You will need:

  1. Your personal reference code from the Come to Canada tool
  2. Where you have lived over the last 10 years or since the age of 18
  3. Details about your work experience for the last 10 years or since the age of 18, such as dates of work (start and end), contact (including address), and hours of work per week
  4. Your passport information
  5. If you have one, a copy of your written job offer from an employer in Canada
  6. Information about family including dependent children.

If you have a spouse, you will need his or her information, including their language assessment and education assessment if available.

An illustrated laptop displays an IRCC web site page with the heading, “Find out if you’re eligible to apply”.

Narrator: If you have any questions while filling out your profile, look for the question mark (?) button and click it.

An illustrated mouse pointer seeks out and clicks a question mark icon on the web page.

Text displays above an illustrated laptop displaying an IRCC web site page: “REMEMBER!”.

A does not equal sign and a Canadian Permanent Resident Card appear to the right of the laptop.

Narrator: Remember, filling out a profile is not the same as applying for permanent residence. If we invite you to apply, you will still need to fill out your online application.

An illustrated envelope appears with a number one in the top right corner.

A Canadian Permanent Resident Card is shown against a white background.

A green seal with a white circled checkmark appears to the right of the card.

Narrator: If you get an invitation to apply for permanent residence, we will ask for proof of the information you gave us in your Express Entry profile.

Text displays on a white background: “Useful Tips”.

Associated text displays and related illustrations appear on a white background as the narrator reads a list.

Narrator: Remember:

  • Be completely truthful in your profile. We can refuse your application if the information in your profile is different from what you submit in your application.
  • If you have any questions while filling out your profile, you can find more information by clicking the button that looks like a question mark (?)
  • Visit our online Help Centre if you have any other questions

An illustrated laptop, a does not equal sign and an envelope with a red number one are shown.

Narrator: An important note: completing an online Express Entry profile or entering the pool does not guarantee that you will get an Invitation to Apply… it is only the first step.

Text displays: “REMEMBER: Have all your information and documents ready before you fill out your profile.”

Various illustrated documents are shown.

Narrator: A final reminder: having the correct information and documents before you fill out your profile will speed up the overall process. It also reduces the chance that your profile will be rejected because it is incomplete.

Text displays: “Canada.ca/ExpressEntry”.

Narrator: You’re now ready! Start your Express Entry profile today at Canada.ca/ExpressEntry!

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada corporate signature, ISBN 978-0-66—06720-9, and the copyright message “Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 2016” are displayed followed by the Canada wordmark.

Page details

Date modified: