Express Entry draw: 3,900 invitations, minimum score of 449

IMPACT – MEDIUM

Canada conducted its 24th Express Entry draw of the year last week, issuing 3,900 invitations to apply for permanent residency, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 449.

Analysis & Comment: While the minimum CRS score rose slightly to 449, the overall trend remains positive for Express Entry applicants. Canada continues to issue a high number of invitations, in line with its goals of bringing more economic immigrants to the country.

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 CRS 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.

The following chart lists the Express Entry Draws to date in 2018:

*Draw limited to two programs.
**Draw limited to Federal Skilled Trades program.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.