As described by IRCC, Express Entry is an online system that IRCC uses to manage immigration applications such as:

1. Federal Skilled Worker

   1. Open to anyone who has skilled work experience and meets eligibility requirements 

2. Canadian Experience Class

   1. Open to those who have at least 1 year of skilled Canadian work experience in addition to other conditions

      
      

3. Federal Skilled Trades

   1. Open to professionals who work in skilled trades occupations and meet remaining program instructions

      
      

4. Provincial Nominee Program*

   1. Open to select applicants who are applying for permanent residence under a provincial program that goes in tandem with Express Entry

      1. Must be noted that only select PNPs have this option, most programs run separately from Express Entry

So what does it mean?

It means, when you create an Express Entry profile, the system will automatically categorize your profile into one (or two) of the categories above.

This is important because when Express Entry conducts invitation rounds, the system will invite select candidates from the above categories (unless the system conducts a general draw). 

Meaning that if you are only eligible for Canadian Experience Class but the recent invitation round targeted candidates from Federal Skilled Trades, you won’t be invited to apply and will have to wait the next time IRCC conducts a general draw or Canadian Experience Class draw. 

Understanding CRS Points:

CRS stands for Comprehensive Ranking System - a point scoring system that IRCC uses for Express Entry. 

Applicants are evaluated based on age, education, work experience and language abilities. Extra points are awarded to those who have a sibling with a Canadian PR or citizen status.

While it is impossible to change the points in the age category, there are other ways to increase your chances of getting an invitation to apply.

If you are looking to improve your CRS score, you should consider the following options:

1. If your language test results are below CLB level 9 in all 4 categories, re-take it - this can drastically boost your score.

2. If you speak French or are willing to learn French. It will not only boost your score, but also make you eligible for French language proficiency draws as long as the results are at NCLC level 7 in all 4 categories.

3. Pursuing post-secondary education in Canada - the program must be at least 1 year in duration to claim 15 points and 3 years to claim 30 points. 

IRCC created a free calculating tool for anyone to use and calculate their own potential score within the Express Entry system.