Search
Contact
Login
Share this article
IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? Canada has conducted its 11th Express Entry draw of the year, issuing 3,796 invitations to apply for permanent residency. The lowest qualifying score was 423.
What does the change mean? The number of invitations issued was on par with other draws conducted so far this year, and up significantly compared with draws in 2015 and 2016. The minimum qualifying score of 423 was one of the lowest qualifying scores to date, indicating that a wide pool of candidates continues to be accepted.
Background: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada made changes to the Comprehensive Ranking System in November. The changes benefit candidates with a valid job offer that is not supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment, provided the employee has worked for the employer for a year and the job is in NOC 0, A or B occupations. The new scoring system also benefits candidates who have completed post-secondary education in Canada. Additional changes to the scoring system are set to go into effect in June, and they should help attract Francophone immigrants and those with siblings in Canada.
There have been 11 draws so far this year:
BAL Analysis: Thursday’s draw was the fourth draw in a 30-day period after draws had been conducted roughly every two weeks for most of 2016 and 2017. The draw continues the trend of high numbers of invitations and low minimum qualifying scores since the new scoring system was introduced.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
Copyright © 2017 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
The U.S. State Department released the August 2025 Visa Bulletin. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced filings for…
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) published the randomized assignment groups for H-2B visa applications submitted July…
The State Department recently published the Report of the Visa Office 2024 showing a steady climb in both immigrant visa…
The reconciliation bill H.R.1, aka “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed into law on July 4, includes several immigration-related…