Invitations to apply up again in latest Express Entry draw

Invitations to apply up again in latest Express Entry draw

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Canada has conducted its 20th Express Entry draw of 2016, issuing 1,288 invitations to apply. The lowest qualifying score was 483.

What does the change mean? The number of invitations was up significantly for the second straight draw after hovering between 747 and 799 from May through August and then jumping to 1,000 in the Sept. 7 draw. The minimum score dropped slightly to 483 from 491 in the Sept. 7 draw.

  • Implementation time frame: 
  • 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 has remained under 600 in all draws this year, indicating that some candidates continue to be issued invitations to apply without having an LMIA-supported job offer or provincial nomination.

Background: Last year, Canada issued 31,063 invitations to apply through Express Entry. Officials had projected a greater number for 2016, but have issued just 20,580 so far this year.

Express Entry Draws in 2016:

Date Invitations Score Date Invitations Score
Jan. 6 1,463 461 May 18 763 484
Jan. 13 1,518 453 June 1 762 483
Jan. 27 1,468 457 June 15 752 488
Feb. 10 1,505 459 June 29 773 482
Feb. 24 1,484 453 July 13 747 482
March 9 1,013 473 July 27 755 488
March 23 1,014 470 Aug. 10 754 490
April 6 954 470 Aug. 24 750 538
April 20 1,018 468 Sept. 7 1,000 491
May 6 799 534 Sept. 21 1,288 483

BAL Analysis: The number of invitations to apply in Wednesday’s draw hit its highest point since Feb. 24, while the minimum score remained in the 480-490 range after spiking to 538 on Aug. 24. BAL will continue to follow Canada’s Express Entry program to gauge whether the recent increase in invitations to apply will become a sustained trend.

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.

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.

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