IRCC Clarifies Express Entry Process for Permanent Residence

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provided a detailed explanation of the Express Entry system for selecting candidates for permanent residence. The announcement was made on August 28, 2026, amid the trend of young Africans seeking better opportunities abroad, referred to as the 'japa' wave.

To qualify, skilled workers must meet the requirements of at least one of three programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, or the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Eligible candidates must create a profile and enter the pool, where IRCC conducts rounds of invitations, selecting the highest-scoring candidates based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

There is no fixed minimum score for invitations; each round has its own cut-off score that can vary based on the candidate pool. IRCC determines the targeted worker categories and the number of invitations issued before each round.

Candidates who receive invitations must submit full applications for review, with processing times varying by case.