Express Entry Timeline: What to Expect Step-by-Step

We know how exhausting the immigration process can be. Waiting for months without a clear update can be incredibly stressful. It’s natural to want detailed answers—When will I hear back? When should I be ready for the next step? But if you’ve already started researching, you’ve probably heard this frustrating phrase more than once: “It depends.”

Although Express Entry provides a streamlined process for eligible candidates, processing times can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of your application, program-specific requirements, and whether additional security or background checks are required.

The total duration for the Express Entry process we describe here includes the processing time and preparation, both could range from 8 to 15 months, depending on your preparation, CRS score, and application stream.

Let’s check each stage one by one, including how long each part typically takes and what factors can speed things up—or cause delays—so you can navigate the process with confidence and realistic expectations.

Step‑by‑Step Express Entry Timeline Breakdown

Here’s a detailed breakdown of every stage of the Express Entry process—ranging from preparing your submission package to finally obtaining your eCOPR and PR card—backed by both official guidelines and real applicant experiences. The total process is made up of multiple steps that every applicant must go through, and each step comes with its own timeline, dependencies, and potential delays. The first step in the Express Entry process is crucial, as it sets the foundation for all subsequent stages and determines whether your application can proceed.

While IRCC publishes general processing times for Express Entry programs, these estimates cover only the post-submission period and don’t tell you how long each stage—from document prep to ITA to final approval—might take.

That’s where this guide comes in; we’ve done the hard work for you! We broke down each phase of the process to show you how long it typically takes based on both IRCC data and real-world Reddit case reports during 2025. By understanding each step in detail, you’ll be able to better estimate your own timeline, know where you stand in the process, and anticipate what’s coming next.

Express Entry Timeline 2025: What to Expect

1. Profile Preparation & Submission (Weeks–Months)

This is one of the most important—and often time-consuming—stages of the entire Express Entry process, so it’s crucial not to rush through it. While we understand that many applicants feel pressured to move quickly, especially to avoid losing valuable CRS points due to age, keep in mind that thorough preparation is key to success.

During this stage, you’ll need to gather essential documents, each with its timeline and challenges. Some of the most time-intensive components include your identity documents, language test results, and employment reference letters.

• Identity Documents
  At first glance, this might seem like the easiest step—just scanning your identity documents. However, it can take longer than expected, especially when you factor in that your passport or travel document must be valid throughout the entire application process. If your passport is close to expiring, it’s strongly recommended to renew it before applying. Keep in mind that passport processing times vary by country, so plan accordingly to avoid delays.
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
  We used WES, one of the designated organizations that evaluates foreign educational credentials, to calculate how long this step could take. WES reports that the process is divided into two parts: the applicant side (submitting documents and payment), and the WES side (document verification and evaluation), which can take between 4 to 6 weeks.
• Language test results
  Getting your IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF results depends entirely on your scheduling, test center availability, and location. You can find exam dates for the same week, but remember the test fee must be paid before booking.
• Work reference letters
  This isn’t required for the profile submission. Still, we can position it as good to have since the beginning, as it can help you select the best NOC for your profile. Also, this is often the most unpredictable part, as you may need to follow up with past employers or HR departments, something many report as taking several weeks. Don’t forget to make sure your work reference letters are aligned with the NOC code you are applying for.

Based on multiple user reports on Reddit, this preparation stage can take anywhere from 2 to 4 months, depending on how organized you are and how quickly institutions respond to your requests.

2. Waiting for an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Once you’ve submitted your Express Entry profile, the next step is to wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA), and IRCC typically holds draws every two weeks. Invitations are issued to candidates with the highest point totals in each draw, so your position in the pool depends on your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score relative to others.

However, when you receive an ITA depends heavily on your CRS score, how it compares to recent draw thresholds and the program you applied for. Applicants with scores well above recent cutoffs of the program or category may receive an ITA within the first or second draw, while others may wait weeks or even months, hoping for lower cutoffs or draw category alignment.

In 2025, IRCC has held more CEC and PNP-specific draws, targeting skilled workers with significant Canadian working experience or provincial nominations, gradually lowering the CRS cutoffs in these dedicated draws, making them a valuable strategic advantage.

For applicants with CRS scores on the borderline of general draw thresholds (typically 470–500), the wait can be unpredictable. Even a single point can make the difference in receiving an invitation, as the minimum required score fluctuates with each round. We have seen applicants waiting 3 to 6 months or longer without receiving an ITA, even with competitive scores, while others who met niche draw criteria were invited far earlier than expected.

For example, a user with a score of 465 received an ITA in a French draw, while another with 483 waited over four months for a general round  (Reddit users). Understanding where your profile fits with current draw patterns is essential to estimating your wait time and planning your next move.

3. From ITA Submission to Acknowledgment of Receipt (AoR)

After receiving your Invitation to Apply (ITA), you have up to 60 days to submit your full application package to IRCC. This means all your documents must be ready before you click “submit.” The speed at which you complete this step depends entirely on you: if you have everything at hand, you could submit within days; if you need to chase down missing pieces, it might take several weeks.

You can use our Express Entry Document Checklist to prepare for every step from the beginning, reducing the time it takes to apply.

Once your application is submitted, IRCC usually issues the Acknowledgment of Receipt (AoR) on the same day—sometimes within minutes. According to one Reddit discussion, Express Entry applicants often report receiving their AoR almost immediately after submission:

4. IRCC Processing Times After AoR

Once IRCC issues your Acknowledgment of Receipt (AoR), your case enters the formal processing phase. At this stage, your application will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility before moving forward. IRCC publishes service standards showing that 80% of EE applications receive a decision within 180 days, or six months—measured from the AoR date. These standards apply across streams like CEC, FSWP, and Express Entry–linked PNPs. Note that government policies and priorities can influence processing times, potentially causing delays or speeding up certain categories. Here’s how processing typically varies by immigration program:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): ~5 months from AoR to eCoPR
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): ~5–6 months
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): ~6 months
• Express Entry–linked PNP: usually ~6–8 months in practice, though some applicants report faster timelines when nominations align with IRCC categories

Community-collected data from early 2025 aligns closely with IRCC’s estimates and offers more granular insight. According to a Reddit mega-thread with nearly 400 recent cases:

The median AOR-to-eCoPR timeframe is approximately 195 days (about 6.5 months) according to a Reddit user data analysis.

Several Reddit users also shared full-case timelines:

• “ITA: Sep 13, 2024 → AOR: Sep 20 → P2: Jan 13, 2025 → eCoPR: Mar 24, 2025” — Source: Reddit user

A total of 185 days from AOR to eCoPR, well below the median. Another inland case reported:

• “Submit Application to eCoPR: 152 days … P2 to eCoPR: 14 days”—(Link to source)

These examples illustrate how quickly the final stages can move once P2 is issued.

Processing Times After AoR per Stream

5. Provincial Nomination in EE Timeline

For many candidates, obtaining a provincial nomination is a game-changer in the Express Entry process. If you’re selected by a Canadian province or territory through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), you’ll receive an additional 600 CRS points—virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply for permanent residency in the next Express Entry draw. This makes provincial nomination an essential strategy for candidates whose CRS scores are below the typical cutoffs.

The process for securing a provincial nomination varies by province and stream, but generally involves submitting a separate application to the province, demonstrating your skills and intent to settle in that region. Once nominated, your Express Entry profile is updated automatically, and your new CRS score is reflected in the pool.

6. Other Documents Required

As part of the post-submission phase, all applicants are required to take a photo, and most of the applicants are required to complete biometrics, a medical examination and sometimes a background check is also conducted as part of the post-submission process to ensure you meet security requirements.

These are not optional steps—they are mandatory components of Canada’s efforts to verify your identity and assess your admissibility from both a health and security standpoint.

A Biometrics involve providing your fingerprints and a digital photograph at a designated collection center. Once IRCC issues the Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL)—typically within a few days of your AoR—you’ll have 30 days to complete this step. Biometrics are usually valid for 10 years, so if you’ve already given them for a previous application, you may be exempt. IRCC’s portal will notify you if that’s the case.

Medical exams, on the other hand, are conducted by IRCC-approved panel physicians and are used to determine whether an applicant poses a potential risk to public health or safety in Canada. The exam includes a physical assessment, a chest X-ray, and blood and urine tests depending on your age and health history.

7. Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).

The final step in the Express Entry journey is receiving the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)—a document that officially recognizes you as a Canadian permanent resident. After a thorough review of your complete application, including background checks, biometrics, medical results, and supporting documents, IRCC will make a final decision. If approved, you’ll receive a notification through your IRCC online account, followed shortly by the issuance of your eCOPR (electronic COPR).

For most applicants, the eCOPR arrives within a few days to a few weeks after the “Final Decision” stage, depending on whether you are inside or outside Canada. Inland applicants using the PR Confirmation Portal often receive their eCOPR and PR card instructions within 5 to 30 days, while outland applicants may receive physical COPR documents for presentation at a port of entry. This document is essential—you’ll need it for your landing process, to activate your PR status, and later to apply for your PR card.

If, for any reason, your application is refused, IRCC will usually provide an explanation in your account. Reasons may include missing documentation, misrepresentation, medical inadmissibility, or concerns during security/background screening. In such cases, applicants may have the option to reapply or pursue an appeal or judicial review, depending on the nature of the refusal. While disappointing, a refusal is not necessarily the end—it can often be an opportunity to correct your file and submit a stronger application in the future.

8. Obtaining a PR Card

After your Express Entry application is approved and you receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), the final step to becoming a permanent resident in Canada is obtaining your PR card. This card is the official document that proves your permanent residency and is required for re-entering Canada after any international travel.

For Express Entry applicants applying from outside Canada, the first PR card is usually sent to a Canadian mailing address after they arrive in the country and complete the electronic Confirmation of Permanent Residence (e-COPR) process. There’s no need to apply separately for the initial PR card, as the application is automatically triggered once the e-COPR is finalized upon landing. Usually, it takes about 4 to 6 weeks after landing and address submission for the PR card to arrive.

Why Timelines Vary for Express Entry?

Although IRCC provides general service standards for Express Entry processing, the actual time your application takes can vary significantly, sometimes by weeks or even months. Several key factors come into play. One of the most common reasons for delays is incomplete or incorrect documentation. If any of your documents are unclear, expired, or missing required information, IRCC may issue a request for additional evidence, which can pause your file during the completeness check or Final Decision (FD) stage. If you have concerns about your case status or delays, you can use the IRCC webform to seek clarification and assistance. Similarly, applicants who receive a Provincial Nomination may face extended processing times due to the extra verification and communication required between IRCC and the provincial authorities.

Other elements outside your control can also affect your timeline. These include seasonal workload surges, especially around the end of the fiscal year or after policy changes that trigger a spike in applications. Additionally, geopolitical factors, staffing limitations, and changes in IRCC processing priorities can influence how fast files move through the system. For instance, during global crises or when new immigration targets are set, IRCC may redirect resources, resulting in slower timelines for certain streams. Moreover, applicants from countries that require more in-depth background checks or security screening may also experience longer delays.

Post-Application Submission

Once you’ve received your Acknowledgment of Receipt (AoR), your focus should shift to actively monitoring your IRCC account. While much of the process happens behind the scenes, it’s critical to check regularly for updates, document requests, or communication from IRCC. Missing a deadline to respond—whether for additional documents, biometrics, or medical instructions—can result in unnecessary delays or, in the worst case, refusal of your application.

In addition to monitoring updates, it’s your responsibility to keep your application details current. If you change your address, employment, marital status, or have a new family member (such as a newborn), you must update IRCC immediately. These changes can affect your eligibility or processing status, and failing to report them might lead to delays or legal complications. In some cases, IRCC may request an interview or further supporting documentation, especially if your background or travel history requires more scrutiny. Staying organized and responsive during this post-submission phase ensures your file progresses without unnecessary issues and helps maintain transparency and trust in your application.

How Can Moving2Canada Help?

Moving2Canada is more than just an information hub—it’s a support system built to guide you through every step of the Express Entry process. By joining for free, you’ll gain access to a personalized Express Entry roadmap, tailored checklists, and real-time updates on PNP opportunities that match your profile. You’ll also find expert guides, resume resources, and job-matching tools to help you not only get permanent residence but also land on your feet once you arrive in Canada.

What sets Moving2Canada apart is its active community and trusted insights. Thousands of newcomers rely on its advice, tools, and support—many even find it more helpful than paid consultants. Whether you’re just starting or already waiting for your COPR, joining the Moving2Canada community can give you clarity and confidence.

Join Moving2Canada today and get the tools and support you need to succeed.

Your Express Entry Timeline FAQs answered

Does travel history affect Express Entry timeline?

No—travel history on its own does not extend your Express Entry timeline. IRCC timelines are driven by when they receive your complete application (AoR) and how long it takes to process it. According to IRCC, processing time begins on the date your complete application is received and ends when a decision is made.

However, inconsistencies in travel history reporting—such as missing trips, incorrect dates, or unexplained travels to sensitive countries—can affect your application’s credibility. This can result in extra scrutiny, additional document requests, or even deeper background checks that indirectly slow down processing