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Canada Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker) Eligibility Calculator
Check Your Visa Eligibility Score in 60 Seconds
Free • Canada
1. Highest language test result (English or French)?
2. Highest level of education (with ECA if foreign)?
3. Skilled work experience (NOC TEER 0/1/2/3)?
4. Do you have a Canadian job offer, PNP nomination, or category-based draw eligibility?
Canada Express Entry (FSW) Visa Overview
Canada Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker) is one of the most searched immigration pathways for people moving to Canada
This page gives you a fast, no-signup way to check where you stand before you spend money on application fees or agents. Our calculator mirrors the official rule set and then translates the answers into a clear, percentage-based eligibility score. You will see exactly which requirements you already meet, which ones need work, and what the realistic next step looks like.
If you want a deeper, AI-personalised plan covering documents, timeline, costs and alternative pathways, run the full assessment — it compares your profile against every visa we track for your destination and ranks the routes most likely to succeed for someone with your background.
Federal Skilled Worker Eligibility Requirements
Eligible program
Qualify for FSW (CEC requires Canadian work), CEC, or FSTP via the Express Entry pool.
Language (CLB)
IELTS General / CELPIP / TEF / TCF — minimum CLB 7 for FSW, CLB 7 NOC TEER 0/1 for CEC, CLB 5/4 for FSTP. French boosts CRS significantly.
Education
Canadian credential OR foreign credential with ECA from an IRCC-designated organisation (WES, ICAS, IQAS, ICES, CES, MCC, PEBC).
Work experience
At least 1 year continuous skilled work (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, 3) in the last 10 years; CEC requires 1 year in Canada in the last 3 years.
Proof of funds
LICO settlement funds (e.g., CAD $14,690 for 1 person in 2026; +CAD ~3,000–4,000 per dependant). Not required for CEC or if you have a valid Canadian job offer.
Admissibility
Pass medical, biometrics, security and police certificates from every country lived 6+ months since age 18.
Official Express Entry Resources
Express Entry Eligibility FAQs
Common mistakes to avoid
Submitting an ECA from a non-IRCC-designated body (only WES, ICAS, IQAS, ICES, CES, MCC, PEBC are accepted).
Using a language test more than 2 years old at e-APR submission.
Mis-claiming Canadian work experience that was on a study permit (only off-campus paid work in NOC TEER 0/1/2/3 counts and CEC excludes self-employment).
Forgetting to re-stamp proof of funds (must remain available until landing).
Letting the e-APR 60-day clock lapse after ITA without uploading PCCs for every country lived 6+ months since age 18.
Improve your chances
- 1
Retake IELTS/CELPIP/TEF aiming for CLB 9 — large CRS jump in skill transferability and core points.
- 2
Add French (TEF/TCF) — even CLB 7 in French is worth +50 CRS plus access to French-language draws with much lower cut-offs.
- 3
Pursue a PNP nomination (Ontario OINP Tech Draw, BC PNP Tech, Alberta AAIP) for +600 CRS — near-guaranteed ITA.
- 4
Target a category-based draw matching your NOC (STEM, healthcare, trades, transport, agriculture).
- 5
Add a spouse-accompanying profile carefully — sometimes single-applicant CRS scores higher than couple CRS.
2025–2026 CRS cut-off ranges by draw type
| Draw type | Typical CRS cut-off range |
|---|---|
| General / All-program | 524–549 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 507–547 |
| PNP-enhanced (+600 bonus) | 727–802 |
| French-language proficiency | 379–478 |
| STEM occupations | 470–510 |
| Healthcare occupations | 420–470 |
| Trades occupations | 425–436 |
Fees & settlement funds (2026)
| Item | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant processing fee | $950 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) | $575 |
| Spouse / partner | $950 + $575 RPRF |
| Dependent child | $260 |
| Biometrics (per person) | $85 (family max $170) |
| Proof of funds — 1 person (LICO 2026) | $14,690 |
| Proof of funds — 2 persons | $18,288 |
| Proof of funds — 4 persons | $27,297 |
Step-by-step application process
- Self-assess eligibility. Use this calculator and review the official Canada Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker) Eligibility Calculator criteria before paying any fees. Confirm you meet every hard gate (age, language, health, character, qualifying offer or investment) — failing one gate cannot be offset by scoring well elsewhere.
- Gather and translate documents. Collect passport, civil documents, qualifications, language test, police clearances from every country lived in 12+ months since age 17, and proof of funds. Obtain certified translations and apostilles/attestations where the destination authority requires them.
- Submit the formal application. Lodge online through the official government portal listed on this page. Pay the correct government fee, complete biometrics at the designated centre, and upload supporting evidence in the exact format the authority specifies.
- Respond to requests for evidence. Caseworkers commonly request additional payslips, employer letters, or medicals. Respond inside the deadline given — most refusals come from missed deadlines, not weak profiles.
- Travel and activate status. On approval, collect your visa vignette or eVisa, enter the country before it expires, register your address where required, and collect any biometric residence permit/card. Keep digital and paper copies of every document.
Sources & references
Every figure on this page is sourced from official government or regulator publications. Cross-check before applying — rules change.
This calculator is editorial guidance, not legal advice. Immigration thresholds, points, salary floors and occupation lists change frequently — always verify your route against the official government source linked on this page before applying. For complex cases, consult a licensed immigration adviser regulated in the destination country.
Helpful resources
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