⚡ Key Takeaways
- You have 60 days from starting your profile to submit it — miss that window and you start over.
- Everything is entered through your own secure IRCC account, directly on canada.ca — never through a third-party site.
- Your profile is saved automatically if you exit partway through, so you don't need to finish it in one sitting once it's started.
- You cannot choose which program (Federal Skilled Worker, CEC, Federal Skilled Trades, or a linked PNP) you're invited under — IRCC sorts that from what you enter.
Before You Start: Get These Ready First
Have these in hand before you create your profile — entering incomplete or estimated information is the main reason people redo sections later:
- Language test results — IELTS, CELPIP or another IRCC-recognized test. Check the test hasn't expired.
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) — required if your degree wasn't earned in Canada. ECAs can also expire, so check the date.
- Proof of work experience — enough to demonstrate you meet the 3-year (or relevant) requirement for your target program.
- Proof of funds — settlement funds documentation, unless you're currently authorized to work in Canada or have a valid job offer.
- A valid job offer (optional) — not required, but improves your CRS score if you have one.
The Actual Steps
- 1. Prepare your documentation using the checklist above, before you open the profile form.
- 2. Sign in to your IRCC secure account (create one first if you don't already have one).
- 3. Enter your personal reference code, if you used the "Come to Canada" tool to check your eligibility first — this pre-fills part of your profile.
- 4. Enter your personal details — this is where your language scores, education, work history and funds all go in.
- 5. Submit your profile to enter the Express Entry pool and receive your CRS score.
What Changes After You're Invited
You don't need to enter dependent children's information when you first create your profile — IRCC only asks for that if and when you actually receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Once invited, you move to the full permanent residence application, which asks for considerably more documentation than the initial profile did.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don't finish my Express Entry profile within 60 days?
The profile expires and you have to start again from scratch. This is a firm IRCC deadline, so don't start the profile until your language test, ECA and other documents are actually ready.
Can I choose whether I'm invited under Federal Skilled Worker, CEC, or a Provincial Nominee Program?
No — IRCC's system sorts your profile based on the information you enter; you don't select the program directly. This is why entering accurate, complete information matters — it determines which pool(s) you're actually eligible for.
Do I need a job offer to create an Express Entry profile?
No, a job offer is optional. It can meaningfully improve your CRS score if you have one, but the large majority of profiles in the pool don't have one.
How can ICS help with my Express Entry profile?
We check your language test, ECA and work-experience documentation before you start the clock on the 60-day window, help you understand what CRS score range you're realistically likely to land in, and keep your profile updated if your circumstances change while you're in the pool.