IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Canada has conducted its 11th Express Entry draw of 2016, issuing 763 invitations to apply.

What does the change mean? The number of invitations dropped for the second straight time after 799 invitations to apply were issued May 5. In the nine draws before that, between 1,013 and 1,518 people were invited to apply for permanent residence. The lowest qualifying score was 484, down from 534 on May 5 and closer to the minimum score in other draws so far this year.

  • Implementation time frame: Ongoing.
  • Visas/permits affected:Permanent residency through Express Entry.
  • Who is affected:Canadian companies 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:The minimum qualifying score was less than 600, indicating that some candidates were issued invitations to apply without having an LMIA-supported job offer or provincial nomination.

Background: In 2015, Canada issued 31,063 invitations to apply through Express Entry, and officials have projected a greater number for 2016. So far this year, Canada has issued 13,059 invitations to apply.

Express Entry Draws in 2016:

Date Invitations Minimum Score
Jan. 6 1,463 461
Jan. 13 1,518 453
Jan. 27 1,468 457
Feb. 10 1,505 459
Feb. 24 1,484 453
March 9 1,013 473
March 23 1,014 470
April 6 1,014 470
April 20 1,018 468
May 5 799 534
May 18 763 484

BAL Analysis: The minimum score remained below 600 in the latest draw, but the number of invitations has decreased since February, an indication that the government may be shifting resources toward family reunification applications and clearing backlogs on old permanent residence applications submitted under previous, non-Express Entry routes.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright © 2016 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.