Cutoff score remains relatively high in latest Express Entry draw

IMPACT – MEDIUM

Canada conducted its 12th Express Entry draw of the year Wednesday, issuing 3,350 invitations to apply for permanent residency. The lowest Comprehensive Ranking System score was 465.

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.

Analysis & Comments: The minimum CRS score in Wednesday’s draw dropped slightly after reaching the highest cutoff point of the year two weeks ago. While the minimum CRS score remained relatively high at 465, Canada continues to invite a high number of individuals for permanent residency through the Express Entry program.

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