Key facts
- Where
- Your secure IRCC online account
- Cost to submit a profile
- None — fees are paid only after an invitation
- Profile validity
- 12 months, unless you are invited or withdraw
- Needed first
- Language test result, ECA for foreign education, passport details
- Tie-break rule
- Candidates with the same score are ordered by profile submission date and time
- Official authority
- IRCC
Last verified against official sources: 2026-09-21
Who this applies to
- Anyone planning to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Candidates hoping to receive an enhanced provincial nomination linked to Express Entry
Before you start
- An approved English or French test result that is less than two years old (IELTS General, CELPIP General, PTE Core, TEF Canada or TCF Canada).
- An Educational Credential Assessment for education completed outside Canada that you want counted.
- A valid passport or travel document.
- Your work history with dates, hours and the NOC code that matches your duties.
- Details for your spouse or partner and dependent children, even if they are not coming with you.
Python explanation
Treat the profile as if it were already an application. Anything you declare must be provable with documents after an invitation, so gather evidence before you submit, not after.
Creating the profile, step by step
Check your eligibility
Estimate your score and confirm you meet at least one program's minimum requirements.
Estimate your CRSSign in to your IRCC account
Create or sign in to your secure IRCC account and choose to apply through Express Entry.
Answer the eligibility questions
IRCC asks short questions to check whether you are eligible for any Express Entry program. If you are, you receive a personal reference code.
Complete each section
Enter personal details, language results exactly as on your test report, education, work history with NOC codes, and family details.
Review and submit
Check every date and score against your documents, then submit. The system confirms which programs you are eligible for and shows your CRS score.
Keep it up to date
Update the profile if anything changes — a new test result, more work experience, a new family member or a provincial nomination.
After you submit
- Your profile is ranked against others in the pool by CRS score.
- Rounds of invitations are held without a published schedule; each round has its own type and cut-off.
- If several candidates have the lowest score in a round, IRCC uses the date and time each profile was submitted to break the tie.
- If you are not invited within 12 months, the profile expires and you can create a new one if you are still eligible.
Common mistakes
- Entering language scores that differ from the official test report.
- Choosing a NOC by job title instead of by the duties actually performed.
- Leaving out a spouse or child because they will not come to Canada.
- Claiming work experience that cannot be backed by reference letters.
- Letting a language test or ECA expire while the profile is still in the pool.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost anything to create an Express Entry profile?
No. There is no fee to create or submit a profile. Application and other fees are paid only after you receive an invitation to apply.
What is the tie-breaking rule in Express Entry?
When several candidates have the same CRS score as the round's cut-off, IRCC invites those who submitted their profiles earliest, based on the date and time of submission stated in the round's instructions.
Can I edit my profile after submitting it?
Yes, you can update most information until you receive an invitation. Keep it accurate — a higher score from an update only counts if it is true and provable.
Do I need a job offer to create a profile?
No. A job offer is not required for most candidates, and since 25 March 2025 it no longer adds CRS points.
What to do next
- Estimate your CRS score with your real test results.
- Confirm your NOC code and gather reference letters that describe your duties.
- Use the Express Entry profile checklist so nothing is missing before you submit.
Your next steps
Continue in the order most people find useful, rather than a list of unrelated pages.