Express Entry Draws Continue to Drop

Express Entry Points Dropped

In response to COVID-19 crisis Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has substantially dropped their comprehensive ranking score (CRS).

Since the whole pandemic started on March 18, 2020 the points are continuously dropping and it has reached its lowest score of 447 points in which 3,371 invitations have been issued on May 15, 2020.

Additionally, 529 invitations were issued to Express Entry candidates that got nominated through Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). To have received invitation to apply under the PNP the candidate must have a minimum of CRS score of 718.

Despite the many changes that have taken place, the Express Entry system continue to be active allowing candidates to submit their online profile.

This is a great time to apply and taking advantage of the low scores as it is unclear when the numbers will go back up. Therefore, if you wish to immigrate to Canada it would be a great time to apply under the Express Entry.

What is the Express Entry?

Express Entry is online profile that allows foreign applicants to apply for permanent residency through one of the federal economic routes such as

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)
• Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Express Entry candidates are put in pool of candidates from all around the world and are ranked amongst each other. The candidates that score the highest receive an invitation to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence

The ranking is based on:

• Age
• Education Level
• Skilled work experience
• Language ability in English or French
• If you have job offer
• Adaptability

Should the candidate receive an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence, the applicant has 60 days to provide all supporting documentation, however due to COVID-19 90 day extension has been granted until further notice. If the immigration officer is satisfied with the all the supporting documentation then the applicant receives confirmation of permanent residence usually within 6 month period.

Express Entry Top 3 Categories

The most common routes candidates apply under the Express Entry include, Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

Federal Skilled Worker Program Eligibility

The Federal Skilled Worker Program is a popular route for most candidates that apply to immigrate to Canada for permanent residency.

To be eligible to apply the minimum requirements include:

• At least 1 year continues full time or equivalent paid work experience in the past 10 years
• Skilled occupation should be under NOC:
  • 0 (managerial),
  • A (professional jobs),
  • B (technical jobs and skilled trades)
• Good command of the English or French language at least CLB 7 in
  • Writing
  • Reading
  • Listening
  • speaking
• Education
  • If you studied inside of Canada then you should have certificate, diploma or degree from a secondary institution or post-secondary institution
  • If you studied outside of Canada, you need to show you have completed your program by providing a copy of your diploma, degree, certificate and providing an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). The assessment should show your education is equivalent to Canadian secondary or post-secondary education
• Should score at least 67/100
• Proof of funds to support stay in Canada unless you have valid job offer with employer in Canada or are currently legally working in Canada.
• Admissible to Canada
• Plan on residing outside of Quebec

Canadian Experience Class Eligibility

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a great option for international students and foreign workers that have gained Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residence.

To be eligible to apply the minimum requirements include:

• Before you apply you must have at least 1 year full-time or an equal amount in part-time of skilled work experience in Canada within the last 3 years
• Your work experience is gained from working in Canada legally
• Skilled occupation should be under NOC:
  • 0 (managerial),
  • A (professional jobs),
  • B (technical jobs and skilled trades)
  • The skilled work experience can be under 1 or more NOC 0, A or B jobs. However you must show that these duties were performed in your lead statement of the occupational description in the NOC. This includes all the essential and main duties listed
• Meet language proficiency in English or French language at least CLB 7 for NOC 0 or A jobs or CLB 5 for NOC B jobs this includes in:
  • Writing
  • Reading
  • Listening
  • Speaking
• No education requirement, however if you wish to improve your scoring, you can provide your school credentials if you went to a Canadian secondary or post-secondary school or provide your foreign education credential assessment report that equates to canadian diploma, certificate or degree
• Proof of funds to support stay in Canada unless you have valid job offer with employer in Canada or are currently legally working in Canada.
• Admissible to Canada
• Plan on residing outside of Quebec

Self-employed individuals and/ or have full-time student work experience does not count towards Canadian work experience.

Federal Skilled Trades Program Eligibility

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is a great route for candidates that have skilled trade work experience and wish to become permanent residents of Canada.

To be eligible to apply the minimum requirements include:

• Meet language proficiency in English or French language at least
  • CLB 5 for speaking and listening
  • CLB 4 for reading and writing
• Before you apply you must have at least 2 years of full-time or an equal amount of part-time work experience in skilled trade within the 5 year period
• Must meet the job requirements of the skilled trade occupation
• Should have full-time job offer from an employer in Canada for at least 1 year period or hold a certificate of qualification in the skilled trade that has been provided by an official Canadian authority
• No education requirement however if you wish to improve your scoring, you can provide your school credentials if you went to a canadian secondary or post-secondary school or provide your foreign education credential assessment report that equates to canadian diploma, certificate or degree
• Proof of funds to support stay in Canada unless you have valid job offer with employer in Canada or are currently legally working in Canada.
• Admissible to Canada
• Plan on residing outside of Quebec

Express Entry Draws Limited to CEC and PNP Categories

Due to COVID-19 being a public health concern in Canada, Citizenship and Immigration Canada has limited draws to candidates from Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).

The draws have been limited to these categories is because most Canadian Experience Class candidates already reside in Canada in which they do not require to be quarantined upon entering Canada. To ensure the provinces meet their annual allocations citizenship and immigration Canada continues to provide invitations to qualified candidates for the Provincial Nominee Programs.

Unfortunately, candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Federal Skilled Trades (FST) programs will not be receiving any invitations until further notice from citizenship and immigration Canada.

The latest draw that included candidates from FSW and FST was around March 4, 2020. However, it appears that next draws may include candidates from all categories, contact us for more information on latest updates.

Received Invitation to Apply but can’t Provide Documents Due To COVID-19

If you have received an invitation to apply (ITA) under one of the economic routes but struggling to collect documentation due to COVID-19 and worried to missing a deadline then do not fret.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada understands that most places have been shut down due to the recent crises and understands applicants are having a hard time gathering documentation.

If you are in this sticky situation than simply submit your Express Entry application with an explanation letter as to which documents you are not able to provide and reasoning behind it. Citizenship and Immigration Canada usually grants an additional 90 days to provide missing documentation.

Also when you receive biometric instructions it indicates you have 30 days to provide the biometrics from the date of receiving the letter. However, due to most centers being closed IRCC has extended the deadline to 90 days of receiving the letter.

Contact Akrami & Associates.

If you are looking to apply for permanent residence to Canada and not sure if you qualify to apply under of the economic routes then contact us for more information at info@thevisa.ca or call us at 416-477-2545. Akrami & Associates has successfully assisted clients through Express Entry route and we can help you too.

With Akrami & Associates there is always a way!!