Significant Changes In The Outcome Of The Latest Canadian Express Entry Draw

Over the past year, Express Entry has been the most popular chosen route for individuals seeking Immigration to Canada.The most recent draw for the Express Entry Candidate pool took place on 7th September, 2016. The results of this draw were significantly different from the last draw that took place on 24th August 2016. There was a massive increase in the number of Invitations to Apply (ITA) issued to Express Entry applicants which reached a staggering number of 1000 candidates. This number hasn’t been reached in any of previous the draws since April 2016. Moreover, there was a significant decline in the number of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points required for an applicant to be eligible to receive an ITA, going down from 538 in the previous draw to 491, increasing the chances of selection for candidates.

Reason behind the significant shift

Due to this recent rise in the number of ITAs issued and the substantial cut down in the CRS required points, many candidates who were not able to receive an ITA previously are now more hopeful about achieving their Canadian Immigration dream.
The outcome of this draw also makes the intention of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)evident, which is to authorize more ITA’s in order to reach their annual target level of intakes through the fall season. Some indication to this outcome was given by an IRCC representative while speaking at an event in the month of May of this year. Thus, it is now very much a possibility that this is just the beginning of an increase in the number of ITA’s issued per draw and this will continue to happen in the draws to be held in the near future. Other things being equal, this should have the corresponding effect of the CRS cut-off point coming down.

Obtaining an ITA

Considering the Canadian Government’s year-end 2015 Express Entry report, in 2015 57% of candidates to receive an ITA had obtained core CRS scores of less than 450 points which is the lowest CRS point requirement of any Express Entry draw that has been held up till now. Core CRS points imply a candidate’s score without the additional 600 points that can be allotted for a job offer or an enhanced provincial nominee certification.
Since the Express Entry system came into existence in January 2015, there has been a hike in the number of Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) options available to candidates, among which the most sought after is the Quebec Provincial Nominees Program. Many of the selected candidates from the pool are able to obtain a provincial nominees certificate from a Canadian Province. The best approach to receive an ITA for permanent residence through of these PNP programs is to be ready to apply since the window for applying is very limited as these programs keep opening and closing quickly.

How Express Entry Works?

The Express Entry system is an electronic process used to manage applications for permanent residence for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class. Provinces and territories can also select candidates from the Express Entry pool through their Provincial Nominee Programs.
Candidates, who meet the express entry eligibility requirements, will be accepted into a pool of candidates. They will be ranked against other applicants according to a point-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)will regularly screen and select the best candidates from this pool who will then be given an invitation to apply to Immigrate To Canada as a permanent resident.
Within 60 days of receiving an ITA, the applicants are obligated to submit an application for Canadian Permanent Residence, from which point the government of Canada aims to process the application within six months. This application can also include family members, such as the spouse, dependent children and dependent parents along with the principal applicant.
Applicants can stay in the candidate pool for a period of 12 months. If they fail to receive an ITA during this time period, their Express Entry Profile will expire and they will have to submit a new profile. They can re-enter the pool if they’re able to meet the eligibility requirements.
To determine your eligibility for the Express Entry System for immigration to Canada, please feel free to get in touch with our qualified Immigration Consultants on the numbers (92-21) 3438 9311-4 (4 lines).