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6. Getting into the Express Entry Pool

Follow the steps to create your profile and get into in the pool of applicants 

Home > Work in Canada > Permanent Residency > Express Entry: The Ultimate Guide > Express Entry: Step-by-Step Guide > 6. Getting into the Express Entry Pool

There are two main steps to enter into the pool: (i) using the Come to Canada tool to confirm eligibility and get your Personal Reference Code, and (ii) create a GCKey account and your profile to get in the pool. This article will help you navigate through this process.

Come to Canada Tool

You can use the Come to Canada tool here. You do not need to submit any documents for this initial eligibility. At this stage your name/ID information is also not needed. Before you start, you need the below information:

• Nationality,
• Age,
• Marital status,
• Number of family members,
• Education qualifications: enter your highest credential as per your Educational Credential Assessment,
• Language ability: English and/or French language test results and exam dates for you, and your spouse/partner if applicable,
• Work experience: only the number of years of skilled work experience,
• Details on any valid job offer in Canada,
• Your preferred province(s) in Canada (do not choose Quebec or you will be deemed inadmissible), and
• The amount of money you will be bringing into Canada.

You should be able to complete the entries in the Come to Canada tool in under 10 minutes. Based on your answers, the tool will show whether you are eligible for Express Entry programs, and if so will give you a Personal Reference Code (below the confirmation of eligibility page from the Come to Canada tool will look like), valid for 60 days. 

Come to Canada eligibility results

Create a GCKey account and Express Entry profile

You should absolutely not create an Express Entry profile if you did not take the language test(s) and gotten your ECA. You will be asked for your report numbers.

​The second step is to create a GCKey account. Go to this page, and choose GCKey (the other option is for Canadian citizens or residents), and choose to sign up. You will have to choose a username, a password, and 4 questions and their answers as security questions (make sure you memorize the 4 questions and answers you choose, as each time you connect to your account, you will be asked one of these questions after entering your login and password). 

When inside your GCKey account, you will be able to click on an Express Entry button to begin filling your profile. 

Express Entry button in your account

While creating your profile you will be asked for the Personal Reference Code that we got earlier from the Come to Canada tool. Fill up the code in the relevant field, and it will automatically populate some of your personal details, work experience, education, etc.

​To create your profile you will need to fill details of the following :

1. Personal Reference Code from the Come to Canada tool,
2. Name,
3. Gender,
4. Date of birth,
5. Country and city of birth,
6. Marital status,
7. ID documents data,
8. Number of family members and settlement funds amount,
9. Education history,
10. Your language test results,
11. Your Education Credential Assessment results,
12. Your work history details and corresponding National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes,
13. Your passport or travel document number,
14. Details of Provincial nomination, if applicable,
15. Details of your valid job offer, if applicable,
16. Your choice(s) of province, and
17. Details about your representative (if any).

Examples for forms to fill in your Express Entry profile

You will have 60 days to fill up and submit your profile. You will then get in the pool of candidates.

Express Entry Step-by-Step Guide

Click here for the next step, receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

1. Finding your NOC (National Occupational Classification)

To be eligible, you need to first check that you work experience, as defined by the NOC system, is eligible for Express Entry.

Go to step 1.

2. Getting your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if you credential is not Canadian

You need to get your foreign educational credential assessed by one of IRCC's approved third parties.

Go to step 2.

3. Taking your English and/or French language tests

For all the three Express Entry programs, you need to take English and/or French test(s) and score a number of points to be eligible. 

Go to Step 3.

4. Checking your eligibility to Express Entry

Check if you eligible to Express Entry under one of the three economic immigration programs. 

Go to Step 4.

5. Calculate your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score

You need next to understand how to calculate your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This score is the one you will be ranked with in the Express Entry pool. 

Go to Step 5.

6. Getting into the Express Entry Pool - YOU ARE HERE

After taking your language exam(s), and getting your ECA (if your credential is not Canadian), you need to verify your eligibility through the Come to Canada Tool and then create your Express Entry profile to get into the pool of applicants.

7. Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If you have enough CRS points, you will get an Invitation to Apply. You will have 60 days to fill additional forms and submit your supporting documents.

Go to step 7.

8. Your document checklist: Tips and Advice

After receiving you Invitation to Apply (ITA), you will need to upload the requested supporting documents. Get ahead and make sure you will not have a problem gathering them.

​Go to step 8.

9. From Ackownlgedgment of Receipt (AoR) to Passeport Request (PPR)

After submitting your documents, learn about the process of approval of your application and the different updates that will let you have an idea on where you application is at.

Go to step 9.

10. Preparing your landing in Canada

Check out our before landing and living pages, to learn all about Canada, its biggest cities, its healthcare and education systems, what things to do first when arriving in Canada, etc.