Introduced in January 2015, Canada's Express Entry (EE) system was developed to allow Canada to meet its future labour market needs in order to maintain long-term economic growth. In 2019, 85,300 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued, 40,550 of which were issued to those applied from outside Canada. The immigration target for 2020 is set at 195,800 through federal economic programs, like those under the Express Entry System, and this number is expected to significantly increase as the year continues.

Applications can take as little as six months to process, making this program one of the fastest immigration programs in Canada. Only immigrants who have the right skills required in each province can qualify, unlike the Green Card Lotteries used in the U.S.

Applicants who are successful with the program can eventually apply for permanent residence in Canada.

The system was introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and it is used to select candidates for immigration to Canada through many of the Federal Economic Immigration programs. Candidates who intend to apply for immigration through the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class and Canadian Experience Class are required to do so through the system.