June 12, 2021
By Deanne Acres-Lans
Express Entry is the main driver of economic immigration to Canada, but many people hoping to immigrate through Express Entry are led astray by some common misconceptions.
We’re here to set things straight.
Misconception 1: Everyone is eligible to submit an Express Entry profile
The most common misconception about Express Entry that we hear is that everyone is eligible to submit an Express Entry profile. Unfortunately, this is not true. Only those who meet the requirements of the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, or the Canadian Experience Class are eligible to create Express Entry profiles. If you do not meet all of the requirements of one of these programs, then you will be found to be ineligible for Express Entry. Even if you complete an approved language test and obtain an educational credential assessment, these documents alone do not mean that you meet all of the criteria of one of those three programs.
Misconception 2: If you submit an Express Entry profile you will get to immigrate to Canada
Not everyone who creates an eligible Express Entry profile will receive an Invitation to Apply and get to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence. Express Entry profiles are only valid for 12 months. Applicants can renew Express Entry profiles every 12 months, but if their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is too low they may never receive an Invitation to Apply, unless they can increase their CRS score. The Express Entry system is not a lottery system, and candidates are not selected at random — they are selected based on their CRS score. Prospective applicants can view previous draw results to see if their score will be competitive or not.

Find the best immigration program for your family

Get immigration help you can trust
Recent Express Entry draw results
Date | Number of invitations to apply issued | Minimum CRS points required | |
---|---|---|---|
Draw 221 | Apr 27 | 829 | 772 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 220 | Apr 13 | 787 | 782 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 219 | Mar 30 | 919 | 785 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 218 | Mar 16 | 924 | 754 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 217 | Mar 2 | 1,047 | 761 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 216 | Feb 16 | 1,082 | 710 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 215 | Feb 2 | 1,070 | 674 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 214 | Jan 19 | 1,036 | 745 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 213 | Jan 5, 2022 | 392 | 808 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 212 | Dec 22 | 746 | 720 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 211 | Dec 10 | 1,032 | 698 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 210 | Nov 24 | 613 | 737 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 209 | Nov 10 | 775 | 685 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 208 | Oct 27 | 888 | 744 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 207 | Oct 13 | 681 | 720 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 206 | Sept 29 | 761 | 742 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 205 | Sept 15 | 521 | 732 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 204 | Sept 14 | 2,000 | 462 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 203 | Sept 1 | 635 | 764 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 202 | August 19 | 3,000 | 403 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 201 | August 18 | 463 | 751 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 200 | August 5 | 3,000 | 404 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 199 | August 4 | 512 | 760 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 198 | July 22 | 4,500 | 357 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 197 | July 21 | 462 | 734 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 196 | July 8 | 4,500 | 369 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 195 | July 7 | 627 | 760 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 194 | June 24 | 6,000 | 357 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 193 | June 23 | 1,002 | 742 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 192 | June 10 | 6,000 | 368 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 191 | June 9 | 940 | 711 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 190 | May 31 | 5,956 | 380 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 189 | May 26 | 500 | 713 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 188 | May 20 | 1,842 | 397 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 187 | May 13 | 4,147 | 401 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 186 | May 12 | 557 | 752 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 185 | April 29 | 6,000 | 400 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 184 | April 28 | 381 | 717 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 183 | April 16 | 6,000 | 417 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 182 | April 14 | 266 | 753 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 181 | April 1 | 5,000 | 432 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 180 | March 31 | 284 | 778 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 179 | March 18 | 5,000 | 449 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 178 | March 17 | 183 | 682 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 177 | March 8 | 671 | 739 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 176 | February 13 | 27,332 | 75 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 175 | February 10 | 654 | 720 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 174 | January 21 | 4,626 | 454 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 173 | January 20 | 374 | 741 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 172 | January 7 | 4,750 | 461 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 171 | January 6, 2021 | 250 | 813 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 170 | December 23, 2020 | 5,000 | 468 |
Draw 169 | December 9 | 5,000 | 469 |
Draw 168 | November 25 | 5,000 | 469 |
Draw 167 | November 18 | 5,000 | 472 |
Draw 166 | November 5 | 4,500 | 478 |
Draw 165 | October 14 | 4,500 | 471 |
Draw 164 | September 30 | 4,200 | 471 |
Draw 163 | September 16 | 4,200 | 472 |
Draw 162 | September 2 | 4,200 | 475 |
Draw 161 | August 20 | 3,300 | 454 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 160 | August 19 | 600 | 771 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 159 | August 6 | 250 | 415 *FST-specific draw |
Draw 158 | August 5 | 3,900 | 476 |
Draw 157 | July 23 | 3,343 | 445 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 156 | July 22 | 557 | 687 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 155 | July 8 | 3,900 | 478 |
Draw 154 | June 25 | 3,508 | 431 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 153 | June 24 | 392 | 696 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 152 | June 11 | 3,559 | 437 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 151 | June 10 | 341 | 743 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 150 | May 28 | 3,515 | 440 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 149 | May 27 | 385 | 757 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 148 | May 15 | 3,371 | 447 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 147 | May 13 | 529 | 718 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 146 | May 1 | 3,311 | 452 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 145 | Apr 29 | 589 | 692 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 144 | Apr 16 | 3,782 | 455 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 143 | Apr 15 | 118 | 808 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 142 | Apr 9 | 3,294 | 464 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 141 | Apr 9 | 606 | 698 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 140 | Mar 23 | 3,232 | 467 *CEC-specific draw |
Draw 139 | Mar 19 | 668 | 720 *PNP-specific draw |
Draw 138 | Mar 4 | 3,900 | 471 |
Draw 137 | Feb 19 | 4,500 | 470 |
Draw 136 | Feb 5 | 3,500 | 472 |
Draw 135 | Jan 22 | 3,400 | 471 |
Draw 134 | Jan 8 | 3,400 | 473 |
Draw 133 | Dec 19 | 3,200 | 469 |
Draw 132 | Dec 11 | 3,200 | 472 |
Draw 131 | Nov 27 | 3,600 | 471 |
Draw 130 | Nov 13 | 3,600 | 472 |
Draw 129 | Oct 30 | 3,900 | 475 |
Draw 128 | Oct 16 | 500 (Federal Skilled Trades only) | 357 (Federal Skilled Trades only) |
Draw 127 | Oct 2 | 3,900 | 464 |
Draw 126 | Sept 18 | 3,600 | 462 |
Draw 125 | Sept 4 | 3,600 | 463 |
Draw 124 | Aug 20 | 3,600 | 457 |
Draw 123 | Aug 12 | 3,600 | 466 |
Draw 122 | July 24 | 3,600 | 459 |
Draw 121 | July 10 | 3,600 | 460 |
Draw 120 | June 26 | 3,350 | 462 |
Draw 119 | June 12 | 3,350 | 465 |
Draw 118 | May 29 | 3,350 | 470 |
Draw 117 | May 15 | 500 (Federal Skilled Trades only) | 332 (Federal Skilled Trades only) |
Draw 116 | May 1 | 3,350 | 450 |
Draw 115 | April 17 | 3,350 | 451 |
Draw 114 | April 3 | 3,350 | 451 |
Draw 113 | March 20 | 3,350 | 452 |
Draw 112 | March 6 | 3,350 | 454 |
Draw 111 | February 20 | 3,350 | 457 |
Draw 110 | January 30 | 3,350 | 438 |
Draw 109 | January 23 | 3,900 | 443 |
Draw 108 | January 9 | 3,900 | 449 |
Misconception 3: Everyone who submits an Express Entry profile needs a provincial nomination
A provincial nomination is not required to submit an Express Entry profile. A provincial nomination will add 600 points to a candidate’s CRS score, but those whose CRS score is already high enough to be selected on their own do not require a provincial nomination. Provincial nominations cost additional money in provincial government fees and can take longer to process. Also, those who accept a provincial nomination have to demonstrate their intent to live and work in the province that has issued them with the provincial nomination.
Misconception 4: Everyone can apply for a provincial nomination to increase their CRS score
While each of the provinces (except Quebec) and two of the territories of Canada have Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) in place, not everyone is eligible to apply to these programs. Most PNP streams offered by the provinces and territories require applicants to have a job offer in place. The provinces that do not require a job offer for some PNP streams look at other factors such as the applicant’s primary National Occupational Classification (NOC) code, Comprehensive Ranking System score and any connections that they may have to the specific province or territory.
Misconception 5: Language scores don’t matter if you speak French or English
All candidates who create an Express Entry profile are required to take an approved language test in French or English. It does not matter if you did a degree in French or English or come from a country whose first language is French or English. Many applicants believe that as long as they write the approved test and obtain the minimum scores required for their immigration program that their score will be as high as possible. This is not correct. The way that the CRS score works, applicants who achieve a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 9 will have higher scores than those who achieve the minimum requirements, and there are even more points available for those who reach CLB level 10 or above.
Misconception 6: You need a job offer to submit an Express Entry profile
Not all candidates require a job offer to be eligible for Express Entry. Depending on which immigration program you are eligible for, you may not require a job offer from a Canadian employer. For Federal Skilled Worker, certain candidates may need a valid job offer to meet the minimum FSW points threshold, but many candidates meet this threshold without a job offer. For Federal Skilled Trades, candidates may need a valid job offer in order to meet the minimum program requirements, but a job offer is not required if they have a certificate of qualification to practice their trade issued by a provincial or territorial authority in Canada. Those candidates that do have a valid job offer will receive an additional 50 or 200 points on their CRS score depending on their job’s NOC skill level. In summary, a job offer is not always required to create an Express Entry profile, but it does help your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residence.
Misconception 7: Express Entry is a lottery system
Express Entry is not a lottery system. There is no randomization in invitation rounds, also known as draws. Applicants are invited to apply solely on their CRS score. If you do not meet the minimum CRS score required for a round of invitations, you will not receive an Invitation to Apply.
Misconception 8: Family is excluded from an Express Entry profile
When creating an Express Entry profile, the candidate has to declare their spouse or partner, if applicable, and whether the spouse or partner will be accompanying them or not. Once the candidate receives an Invitation to Apply, they will be asked to list their spouse or partner, if applicable, as well as any dependents. This includes biological children, adopted children, and step-children. All spouses or partners and dependent children can obtain permanent residence status with the applicant as long as they are not found to be inadmissible to Canada.
Misconception 9: Only one spouse can create an Express Entry profile
If a candidate is married or in a common-law relationship, their spouse or partner can also create an Express Entry profile as long as they meet the requirements of the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program or the Canadian Experience Class. Typically, couples choose one person to be the principal applicant based on them having the higher CRS score. However, it may benefit couples for both partners to create a profile if they are both eligible to do so, because the person with the lower CRS score may in fact be eligible for different PNPs, effectively doubling the couple’s chances of obtaining a provincial nomination.
Misconception 10: Express Entry restricts where you can live in Canada
The Express Entry system is used by workers and families wanting to immigrate to Canada through any of the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or the Canadian Experience Class. Once applicants are in the Express Entry system, they may also qualify for a provincial nomination. If you are invited to apply through Express Entry, you can move anywhere in Canada with the exception of Quebec. Those wanting to immigrate to Quebec should not use the Express Entry system. If a candidate receives an Invitation to Apply as a provincial nominee, they have to intend to live and work in the province who has issued them with the provincial nomination. However, once a person is granted permanent resident status in Canada they have the right to live and work anywhere in the country.
You can get started with Canada Abroad by completing a free eligibility assessment for Canadian immigration:
Deanne Acres-Lans is a regulated Canadian immigration consultant (#508363), leading the immigration consultancy, Canada Abroad. You can book a consultation with Canada Abroad here.
June 12, 2021
By Deanne Acres-Lans
Advertisement
Related articles

PNP Canada Live Tracker: which PNPs are open?
Read more

Express Entry Draw – Latest Figures
Read more

Canada to hold first-ever agriculture Express Entry draw
Read more

Canadian population experiences record-breaking growth thanks to international migration
Read more
-
Canada Abroad
Canada Abroad is a transparent Canadian immigration consultancy with advice you can trust. Led by Deanne Acres-Lans (RCIC #508363), the team delivers professional, regulated, and efficient service.
-
Doherty Fultz Immigration
Led by Anthony Doherty (RCIC #510956) and Cassandra Fultz (#514356), the Doherty Fultz team uses their 40+ years of experience to empower you towards settling in Canada.
-
Perez McKenzie Immigration
Led by Jenny Perez (RCIC #423103), Perez McKenzie Immigration is a Canadian immigration consultancy based in British Columbia, with offices in Vancouver and Whistler.
Get your immigration questions answered by an expert
-
Find the best immigration program for you
Take our free immigration quiz and we'll tell you the best immigration programs for you!
-
Get matched to job opportunities
Get matched to job opportunities from Canadian employers who are seeking to hire people with your skills.
-
Access our immigration roadmaps
Our immigration roadmaps will teach you the basics of Express Entry, study permits, and more! Take control of your own immigration process.