IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Canada has conducted its fourth Express Entry draw of 2016, issuing 1,505 invitations to apply.

What does the change mean? The lowest qualifying score was 459, indicating that the minimum score to qualify for an invitation to apply for permanent residency remains in the low range.

  • 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 Skills 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. Officials have projected a greater number of invitations in 2016. So far this year, Canada has issued 5,954 invitations to apply:

Date Invitations Minimum Score
Jan. 6 1,463 461
Jan. 13 1,518 453
Jan. 27 1,468 457
Feb. 10 1,505 459

BAL Analysis: BAL expects the minimum qualifying scores to remain low as the number of invitations to apply is expected to increase to 5,000 per month, compared to around 2,500 per month in 2015.

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

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