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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. There is no need to provide any supporting document at this stage, not even your name. Before you start, you need the below information:

• Age,
• Country of nationality,
• Education qualifications: enter your highest credential as per your Educational Credential Assessment,
• If single, married or in a common-law relationship,
• Number of members in your family,
• Language ability: English and/or French language test results and exam dates for you, and your spouse/partner if applicable,
• Number of years of Work experience,
• If you have a valid job offer in Canada,
• Your destination province(s) (do not choose Quebec or you will be deemed inadmissible), and
• The amount of money you have in your possession.

You can fill in the required information 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

When 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 fill in some of the information already given in the Come to Canada tool.

​In order to create your Express Entry profile, you will need to enter detailed information on the following :

1. Personal Reference Code,
2. First name, middle name, last name, 
3. Gender,
4. Date, country, and city of birth,
5. Marital status,
6. ID documents data,
7. Number of dependent family members,  
8. Settlement funds amount,
9. Education history,
10. Education Credential Assessment date, results, and reference number,
11. Language test date, results, and reference number,
12. Work history and National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes for each work experience,
13. Passport or travel document number, expiry date,
14. Choice(s) of province,
15. Details of Provincial nomination, if applicable,
16. Details of valid job offer, if applicable, and
17. Details about representative, if applicable.

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.