🇨🇦 Step-by-Step Express Entry Process (2025)
Step 1: Credential Assessment (ECA from WES or other agency)
You will submit your educational documents to WES (World Education Services) They verify and issue an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Time: ~1–2 months (varies)
STEP 2: Creat Your Express Entry Profile:
Once you have your ECA and IELTS/CELPIP (language test) results, you can create your Express Entry profile on the IRCC portal.
You will enter personal details, work experience, language scores, education, and proof of funds. The system calculates your CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score. Profile validity: 12 months
Goal: Wait to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) if your CRS score is high enough for a draw.
Step 3: Receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply
If your CRS score meets or exceeds the cut-off in a draw, you receive an ITA via your IRCC account. You will have to 60 days to submit your complete Permanent Residence (PR) application.
Step 4: Submit PR Application (Post-ITA stage)
This is a critical step — here’s what you’ll submit:
Documents required:
- Passport(s)
- Digital photo
- ECA report
- Language test results (IELTS/CELPIP)
- Proof of work experience (reference letters, payslips, etc.)
- Proof of funds (bank statements, balance certificates, etc.)
- Medical exam results (from IRCC-approved panel physician)
- Police clearance certificates from each country you’ve lived in for 6+ months
- Marriage/birth certificates (if applicable)
Processing time: Usually 6 months after submission (though it can vary).
Step 5: Application Processing (Background & Security Checks)
IRCC will:
Verify your documents
Conduct background/security checks
Review medical and criminal admissibility
You can track your application status in your IRCC account.
Step 6: Receive COPR (Confirmation of Permanent Residence)
Once approved:
You’ll get a COPR and Permanent Resident Visa (if you’re outside Canada). You can now travel to Canada to “land” and become a Permanent Resident.
Step 7: Landing in Canada
At the port of entry or at an IRCC office (if already in Canada):
SECOND PATHWAY:
What Is PNP (Provincial Nominee Program) & How It Relates to Express Entry
There are two main ways to get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian PR through Express Entry:
Option 1: Federal Express Entry (No PNP)
This is the direct federal route completely managed by IRCC.
✅ You create your Express Entry profile, and your CRS score is compared with everyone else’s.
✅ If your CRS score is high enough, you can receive an ITA directly from IRCC (for example, under the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC) streams).
🟢 In this case:You do not need a Provincial Nomination.
You proceed directly to the PR application stage after your ITA. This is called a “Federal ITA.”
Option 2: Express Entry with Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
If your CRS score is not high enough, you can apply to a province under their PNP stream.
✅ If a province (like Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, BC, etc.) likes your profile, they can nominate you.
✅ You then receive 600 additional CRS points, which almost guarantees an ITA in the next draw.
🟢 In this case: You first get a Nomination Certificate from the province.
Then, you get an ITA from IRCC (federal level) based on that nomination. This is called a “PNP-based ITA.”
So in your case: If you have already received an ITA directly from IRCC, you do not need PNP.
PNP is only for candidates who want to increase their CRS score or target a specific province.
CONTACT
MAHMOOD SALEEM
Advocate High Court
Immigration Consultant
Call 0321-4314001
WhatsApp 0333-5769655