Express Entry draw: 500 invitations, minimum score of 332, limited to Federal Skilled Trades program

IMPACT – MEDIUM

Canada conducted its 10^th Express Entry draw of the year Wednesday, but limited to the Federal Skilled Trades program. The government issued 500 invitations to apply for permanent residency to candidates under the Federal Skilled Trades program with the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 332 to qualify.

Analysis & Comment: Wednesday’s draw was the first limited to the Federal Skilled Trades program this year. The minimum CRS score was 332, a significant increase from the limited draw that took place in September. Overall, Canada continues to invite a high number of individuals for permanent residency.

The following chart lists Express Entry Draws to date in 2019:

*Program-specific draw.

Background: The Express Entry system prioritizes permanent residence candidates in four skilled migration programs—Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Canadian Experience Class and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program—on a points system that considers such factors as current job offer, education, skills, work experience and age, among others. Candidates register their profiles online through the Express Entry system. Draws are conducted roughly every two weeks, usually for all four categories but sometimes limited to one or two of them. The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration publishes the results of each draw, indicating the number of invitations for permanent residence that are issued and the minimum score needed to earn an invitation. Individuals who receive an invitation must apply for permanent residency within 60 days. Under tie-breaking rules, applicants with the same Comprehensive Ranking System score are ranked according to the date and time they submitted their profiles, highlighting the importance of submitting Express Entry profiles as early as possible.

This alert was prepared by Garson LLP, an independent law firm, allied with Deloitte LLP in Canada.