IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? In the latest Express Entry draw, conducted Friday, the minimum qualifying score was 489, indicating that minimum scores are beginning to creep up again, from a low of 450 points in previous draws.

What does the change mean? The minimum scores to be invited to apply for permanent residency may be levelling off after reaching a low in the past month.

  • Implementation time frame: Ongoing.
  • Visas/permits affected: Permanent residency through Express Entry.
  • Who is affected: Canadian employers sponsoring foreign nationals through one of four skilled migration programs – Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Canadian Experience Class and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program.
  • Business impact: With the numbers still hovering in the high 400s, this indicates that some candidates were issued an invitation to apply without an LMIA-supported job offer or provincial nomination.

Background: On Friday, 1,502 Express Entry candidates were invited to apply for permanent residence as a result of the 19th draw. A total of 25,044 invitations have been issued since the program was launched in January 2015.

BAL Analysis: While the minimum score remains relatively low, employers are reminded that there is still a significant advantage to foreign candidates who hold an LMIA-based job offer or provincial nomination, as this earns the candidate 600 points out of a possible 1,200.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Canada. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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