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Federal · Canada-wide / Immigration & citizenship

Apply for permanent residence through Express Entry

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How do I apply for permanent residence through Express Entry?

Express Entry manages applications for three skilled-worker programs. Creating a profile is not a permanent residence application. You must receive an invitation before submitting the PR application through the IRCC secure account.

Where to begin

  1. Use the Express Entry overview to compare the three programs, current requirements and documents needed for a profile.
  2. Create and maintain your profile through the official route if you meet a program’s requirements; entering the pool does not guarantee an invitation.
  3. If invited, read the invitation and its deadline. IRCC’s guide gives 60 days to submit the PR application.
  4. Complete the application in your IRCC secure account and follow its personalized document checklist, including current medical-exam instructions.
  5. Review changes in your circumstances, upload the required evidence and pay the applicable fees through the account.
  6. Submit the complete application within the deadline and follow IRCC’s subsequent instructions.

Before you open the official service

  • Program requirements and profile evidence
  • Invitation and submission deadline, if received
  • Personalized checklist and current supporting documents

Keep your actual documents and account details off this website. Use the official service’s current checklist before applying.

What to check for your situation

Express Entry is only one PR pathway. The PR Portal used for family sponsorship is a different application route. This guide does not calculate eligibility, scores or approval chances.

Fees, processing times and document rules can change. This page helps you navigate; it does not confirm eligibility or replace the government’s instructions.

Official sources

Prepared by Active K Digital from the linked public guidance. Read our source approach.