This week, Canada held two Express Entry draws inviting 7,002 candidates to apply for permanent residence.
Draw #193 – Provincial Nominee Program
On June 23, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) extended 1,002 invitations to apply to candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 724. The candidates were invited to apply through the Provincial Nominee Program. This draw marks the largest Provincial Nominee Program draw since its formation.
Following the tie-breaking rule, the cut-off time for the draw was February 18, 2021, at 04:04:56 UTC. This means that candidates were only invited if they met the minimum score and submitted their Express Entry profile prior to the above cut-off time.
The Provincial Nominee Programs allow each province and territory to select immigrants based on the province’s labour and economic needs. There are more than 80 different provincial economic stream programs available for students, skilled and semi-skilled workers, and entrepreneurs.
Foreign nationals can apply for a Provincial Nomination Program either through Express Entry or by applying directly to the specific program. Candidates who select the Express Entry route receive 600 additional points to their CRS score, which provides a guaranteed invitation to apply being offered.
Draw #194 – Canadian Experience Class
On June 24, 2021, IRCC held its second draw of the week inviting a total of 6,000 candidates to apply for permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class. The minimum CRS score required for this draw was 357 – the second-lowest score cut-off for a Canadian Experience Class draw.
IRCC applied the tie-breaking rule, announcing a cut-off time of February 17, 2021 at 10:15:50 UTC. In the event that multiple candidates had the lowest CRS score, the cut-off time would determine who is extended an invitation to apply.
Canadian Experience Class candidates have at least one year of Canadian work experience within a NOC 0, A, or B group. The program also requires certain language and financial support thresholds to be met.
Following these two draws, the total number of invitations to apply issued in 2021 is 88,715 invitations.
I haven’t yet received an invitation to apply for Express Entry, what can I do?
While waiting in the Express Entry pool mostly requires patience, there are a couple of things that you can do to ensure that things run smoothly should you receive an invitation.
Upon receiving an invitation to apply, you will only have 90 days to submit a complete application. This is why it is incredibly important to ensure that your Express Entry profile is fully complete and up to date.
Changes in your life such as starting a new career, getting married or completing a new language test must be accurately reflected in your Express Entry profile. False information can lead to a refused application, inadmissibility or being barred from applying to Canada for 5 years.
It is also possible to try to improve your CRS score in the meantime. Being offered a valid job offer, applying to a Provincial Nominee Program, and improving your language score and education level may contribute to a higher CRS score.
After 12 months of submitting an Express Entry profile, your profile will automatically expire should you not receive an invitation to apply. At this time, you are able to create a new profile in order to be considered in Express Entry draws for the following 12 months.
If you have any questions about your Express Entry profile, or general questions about express entry, provincial nomination programs, permanent residency or immigrating to Canada, please contact Abramovich & Tchern today.
