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Express Entry

NEWS

IRCC Issues 500 ITAs to Canadian Experience Class Candidates in Second Express Entry Draw of the Week 

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Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently conducted an Express Entry draw, issuing 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category.  In this draw, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 539 to be eligible for consideration.  Earlier in the week, IRCC held another draw, issuing 1,613 ITAs to Express Entry candidates with Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nominations. In that round, candidates were required to have a higher CRS score of at least 739.  Get a Free Express Entry Assessment Looking back, the most recent Express Entry draw before these occurred on September 19, when 4,000 ITAs were extended to CEC candidates with a minimum CRS score of 509. This was a slight increase from the previous CEC draw on August 27, where the cut-off was 507.  Over the summer, IRCC has been conducting more CEC-specific draws, issuing a total of 21,800 ITAs to Canadian Experience Class candidates since July. This approach aligns with IRCC’s strategy to increase “domestic” draws, aiming to reduce the number of temporary residents and meet the country’s annual permanent residency targets.  Today’s draw is the second held this month, while last October, IRCC conducted four draws, issuing a total of 9,173 invitations.  What is Express Entry?  Launched in 2015, Express Entry is a system designed by IRCC to manage applications for economic immigration. The primary goal of Express Entry is to select candidates who can fill critical labor shortages in Canada.  Three main programs are managed under Express Entry:  Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)  Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)  Canadian Experience Class (CEC)  The system uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to evaluate candidates based on various human capital factors such as work experience, age, language proficiency, education, and occupation. Additional points can also be awarded if a candidate is immigrating with a spouse or partner, has a sibling in Canada, or possesses Canadian work experience or education.  The higher a candidate’s CRS score, the better their chances of receiving an ITA in future Express Entry draws, depending on the specific draw type.  Category-Based Selection  In May 2023, IRCC introduced category-based selection draws, where CRS cut-off scores tend to be lower compared to other draw types. These targeted draws aim to address critical labor force gaps and demographic needs. The six key categories are:  Healthcare  Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions  Trades  Transport  Agriculture and agri-food  French language proficiency  These categories were chosen based on extensive consultations with stakeholders and an analysis of labor market needs. IRCC also aims to ensure that 6% of all newcomers are admitted to French-speaking minority communities outside Quebec.  Although CRS scores in category-based draws are generally lower, candidates must still have a profile in the Express Entry pool, and a higher score remains an advantage in securing an ITA. Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024   Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS October 7 Provincial Nominee Program 1,613 743 September 19 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 509 September 13 French language proficiency 1,000 446 September 9 Provincial Nominee Program 911 732 August 27 Canadian Experience Class 3,300 507 August 26 Provincial Nominee Program 1,121 694 August 15 French language proficiency 2,000 394 August 14 Canadian Experience Class 3,200 509 August 13 Provincial Nominee Program 763 690 July 31 Canadian Experience Class 5,000 510 July 30 Provincial Nominee Program 964 686 July 18 French language proficiency 1,800 400 July 17 Canadian Experience Class 6,300 515 July 16 Provincial Nominee Program 1,391 670 July 8 French proficiency 3,200 420 July 5 Healthcare occupations 3,750 445 July 4 Trade occupations 1,800 436 July 2 Provincial Nominee Program 920 739 June 19 Provincial Nominee Program 1,499 663 May 31 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 522 May 30 Provincial Nominee Program 2,985 676 April 24 French proficiency 1,400 410 April 23 General 2,095 529 April 11 STEM occupations 4,500 491 April 10 General 1,280 549 March 26 French language proficiency 1,500 388 March 25 General 1,980 524 March 13 Transport occupations 975 430 March 12 General 2,850 525 February 29 French language proficiency 2,500 336 February 28 General 1,470 534 February 16 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 150 437 February 14 Healthcare occupations 3,500 422 February 13 General 1,490 535 February 1 French language proficiency 7,000 365 January 31 General 730 541 January 23 General 1,040 543 January 10 General 1,510 546 Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

NEWS

PNP Candidates: 1,613 Invited in Latest Express Entry Draw 

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Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently conducted an Express Entry draw, inviting 1,613 candidates to apply for permanent residence. This specific draw focused solely on applicants who had received a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination. In order to be eligible, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 743.  The previous draw, held on September 19, targeted 4,000 candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). These candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 509, slightly higher than the earlier CEC draw on August 27, where the cut-off was 507.  Get a Free Express Entry Assessment CEC draws have become more frequent over the summer, with IRCC issuing a total of 21,800 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to CEC candidates since July. This aligns with the department’s efforts to increase “domestic” draws, thereby reducing the number of temporary residents in Canada. This approach also supports IRCC’s objective of meeting its permanent resident targets for the year.  The most recent draw is the first for October, while last year IRCC conducted four draws during the same month, inviting a total of 9,173 candidates.  What is Express Entry?  Express Entry, introduced in 2015, is an application management system designed to assist IRCC in selecting economic immigration candidates who can address urgent gaps in the Canadian labor market. It manages applications for three key immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).  Candidates applying through Express Entry are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This system assesses candidates based on various factors like work experience, age, language proficiency, education, and occupation. Additional points can be awarded for factors such as having a spouse or sibling in Canada, or for Canadian work or educational experience.  The higher a candidate’s CRS score, the better their chances of receiving an ITA in a future draw, though eligibility can vary depending on the type of draw.  Category-Based Selection  Since May 2023, IRCC has introduced category-based selection draws to address specific workforce and demographic needs. These draws often have lower CRS score thresholds than general or program-specific draws. However, candidates must still be in the Express Entry pool, and a high CRS score remains beneficial.  There are six categories for these draws:  Healthcare  Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)  Trades  Transport  Agriculture and agri-food  French language proficiency  The categories were chosen after extensive consultations with various stakeholders, labor market analysis, and in alignment with the department’s goal to welcome 6% of all newcomers into French-speaking minority communities outside of Quebec.  While the cut-off scores for these category-based draws tend to be lower, maintaining a competitive CRS score is still important for candidates looking to receive an ITA.  Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024 Date  Draw Type  Number of ITAs  Minimum CRS  October 7  Provincial Nominee Program  1,613  743  September 19  Canadian Experience Class  4,000  509  September 13  French language proficiency  1,000  446  September 9  Provincial Nominee Program  911  732  August 27  Canadian Experience Class  3,300  507  August 26  Provincial Nominee Program  1,121  694  August 15  French language proficiency  2,000  394  August 14  Canadian Experience Class  3,200  509  August 13  Provincial Nominee Program  763  690  July 31  Canadian Experience Class  5,000  510  July 30  Provincial Nominee Program  964  686  July 18  French language proficiency  1,800  400  July 17  Canadian Experience Class  6,300  515  July 16  Provincial Nominee Program  1,391  670  July 8  French proficiency  3,200  420  July 5  Healthcare occupations  3,750  445  July 4  Trade occupations  1,800  436  July 2  Provincial Nominee Program  920  739  June 19  Provincial Nominee Program  1,499  663  May 31  Canadian Experience Class  3,000  522  May 30  Provincial Nominee Program  2,985  676  April 24  French proficiency  1,400  410  April 23  General  2,095  529  April 11  STEM occupations  4,500  491  April 10  General  1,280  549  March 26  French language proficiency  1,500  388  March 25  General  1,980  524  March 13  Transport occupations  975  430  March 12  General  2,850  525  February 29  French language proficiency  2,500  336  February 28  General  1,470  534  February 16  Agriculture and agri-food occupations  150  437  February 14  Healthcare occupations  3,500  422  February 13  General  1,490  535  February 1  French language proficiency  7,000  365  January 31  General  730  541  January 23  General  1,040  543  January 10  General  1,510  546  Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

NEWS

“Ontario Raises Minimum Wage: Can Newcomers Afford to Live on It?”

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As of October 1, the minimum wage has increased in Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. These wage hikes are mostly tied to inflation. In Ontario, for example, the minimum wage went up from $16.55 an hour to $17.20. The income of someone earning minimum wage depends on how many hours they work each week. According to data from Statistics Canada in 2023, full-time employees in Ontario work an average of 39.3 hours per week. Based on this, a full-time worker earning minimum wage would make around $675.96 per week before taxes. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Most employers in Ontario pay their employees every two weeks. This means that a full-time worker on minimum wage can expect to earn about $1,351.92 per paycheck. Part-time workers will earn less. Over a year, which has 26 pay periods, a full-time worker would make approximately $35,149.92 before taxes. Using Wealthsimple’s income tax calculator, a person in Ontario earning this yearly amount would take home about $29,026 after taxes (assuming no other income or deductions like investments or retirement savings). Can you live on a full-time minimum wage job in Ontario?  This is a crucial question for many new immigrants, especially those who arrive without a job and need to support themselves quickly or show proof of income to find housing. Cost of Living for New Immigrants in Ontario Toronto has the highest immigrant population in Canada, with census data from 2021 showing that 46.6% of the city’s residents are immigrants. Many newcomers rent when they first arrive in Canada, as buying a home can be difficult right away. Here’s an estimate of the monthly costs for a single person living alone in Toronto. Keep in mind that other places in Ontario or Canada may be cheaper, and these amounts can vary:Rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,452 (as of September 2024) Monthly groceries: $526.50 Utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water): $160.44 Phone plan: $56.20 Internet: $69.70 Public transit: $3.30 per ride, or $143 for a monthly pass In total, these basic expenses add up to around $3,407.84 per month, or $40,894.08 per year. This amount is more than what a full-time minimum wage worker earns in gross pay, and over $11,000 more than their net (take-home) pay. There are ways to cut costs, such as sharing a home with others, buying groceries on sale, choosing cheaper phone or internet plans, or walking instead of paying for public transport. Newcomers in Minimum Wage Jobs Many newcomers, while waiting for their foreign qualifications to be recognized, often find themselves working in minimum-wage jobs. About 20% of jobs in Canada are regulated and need specific licenses or certificates. Each province has its own rules for these jobs, so the time it takes for newcomers to get their qualifications recognized can vary. While waiting, many newcomers end up working jobs outside their field, which often pay minimum wage or slightly more. A recent report from Statistics Canada found that between 2001 and 2021, more immigrant workers were filling low-skilled jobs that used to be filled by Canadian-born workers. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

NEWS

“Gateway to Opportunity: Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec Open Doors for Provincial Immigration Candidates”

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Applications for provincial immigration programs are now being accepted by three Canadian provinces. This has been accomplished by British Columbia and Ontario through their own Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). In an effort to disperse the advantages of immigration throughout areas of Canada that had previously had low rates of immigration, PNPs were launched in 1998. Provincial governments in Canada and Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) share authority over immigration. Each participating province and territory receives a set number of nominations from the IRCC through the PNP. The provinces then choose the economic immigration candidates who have the best chance of assimilating into the Canadian economy. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration A candidate does not automatically become a permanent residence just because their province nominated them. A candidate’s application for permanent residency will be substantially stronger if they are nominated, according to the IRCC. Indeed, candidates for Express Entry who also get a provincial nomination earn an extra 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, which practically guarantees them an ITA in the next Express Entry lottery. Because of a separate arrangement it has with the federal government that gives it control over the selection of all its candidates for economic immigration, Quebec does not have a PNP. Additionally, it establishes its own guidelines for how many new applicants it will accept annually. Results of provincial immigration, September 14–20 The Ontario Candidates in the Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate courses received invites from the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) on September 17. Of these, 194 went to PhD candidates with a score of 45 or higher, while 1,249 were sent to Master’s graduate candidates with a score of 53 or higher. On September 19, the province conducted a second draw for applicants in the OINP’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream. For 1,424 applicants in “other priority occupations,” it was a targeted draw. To be taken into consideration, they required a CRS score between 505 and 528. British Columbia The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) also held draws on September 17, inviting more than 163 candidates. The largest draw was general and selected candidates from the Skilled Worker, International Graduate and Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled streams of the BC PNP. Skilled Worker and International Graduate candidates (both streams including those eligible for Express Entry BC) required a minimum score of 128. Those in the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker stream needed a score of at least 110 to be considered. Another three draws for Skilled Workers and International Graduates targeted for candidates in specific occupations: 43 candidates in childcare occupations with a score of at least 83 29 candidates in construction occupations with a score of at least 89 29 candidates in healthcare occupations with a score of at least 99 Quebec Quebec has published the results of a provincial selection draw for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program that happened on September 5. Quebec generally posts selection draw results retroactively. The province invited 1,417 people to apply for permanent selection. They required a minimum score of 575 points. Additionally, all candidates were required to demonstrate a level 7 oral proficiency (or higher) in French according to the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français(Québec’s scale of French proficiency levels for adult immigrants) or its equivalent. Candidates may also have been considered if they had a job offer outside of the territory of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

NEWS

“Ontario, BC, and Quebec Invite Skilled Workers to Apply for Provincial Immigration”

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Applications for provincial immigration programs are now being accepted by three Canadian provinces. In order to do this, British Columbia and Ontario both have Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). In an effort to disperse the advantages of immigration throughout areas of Canada that had previously had low rates of immigration, PNPs were launched in 1998. Provincial governments in Canada and Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) share authority over immigration. Each participating province and territory receives a set number of nominations from the IRCC through the PNP. The provinces then choose the economic immigration candidates who have the best chance of assimilating into the Canadian economy. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration A candidate does not automatically become a permanent residence just because their province nominated them. A candidate’s application for permanent residency will be substantially stronger if they are nominated, according to the IRCC. Indeed, candidates for Express Entry who also get a provincial nomination earn an extra 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, which practically guarantees them an ITA in the next Express Entry lottery. Because of a separate arrangement it has with the federal government that gives it control over the selection of all its candidates for economic immigration, Quebec does not have a PNP. Additionally, it establishes its own guidelines for how many new applicants it will accept annually. Results of provincial immigration, September 14–20 The Ontario Candidates in the Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate courses received invites from the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) on September 17. Of these, 194 went to PhD candidates with a score of 45 or higher, while 1,249 were sent to Master’s graduate candidates with a score of 53 or higher. On September 19, the province conducted a second draw for applicants in the OINP’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream. For 1,424 applicants in “other priority occupations,” it was a targeted draw. They needed a CRS score in the range of 505-528 to be considered. British Columbia The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) also held draws on September 17, inviting more than 163 candidates. The largest draw was general and selected candidates from the Skilled Worker, International Graduate and Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled streams of the BC PNP. Skilled Worker and International Graduate candidates (both streams including those eligible for Express Entry BC) required a minimum score of 128. Those in the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker stream needed a score of at least 110 to be considered. Another three draws for Skilled Workers and International Graduates targeted for candidates in specific occupations: 43 candidates in childcare occupations with a score of at least 83 29 candidates in construction occupations with a score of at least 89 29 candidates in healthcare occupations with a score of at least 99 Quebec The outcomes of the September 5 provincial selection draw for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program have been made public by Quebec. Results of selection draws are usually posted by Quebec after the fact. 1,417 persons were asked to apply for permanent selection by the province. A 575 point minimum score was required. Furthermore, according to the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français (Québec’s scale of French proficiency levels for adult immigrants) or its equivalent, all candidates had to show that they could speak French at a level 7 (or higher) or above. Candidates may also have been considered if they had a job offer outside of the territory of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

NEWS

“IRCC Issues 4,000 ITAs to CEC Candidates: Latest Express Entry Draw Updates”

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In the most recent Express Entry lottery, Invitations to Apply (ITAs) have been released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). In a lottery only for candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the government distributed 4,000 ITAs. To be considered, candidates had to receive a minimum of 509 points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Get a Free Express Entry Assessment The third draw of the month was held today, coming after two previous weeks in which 1,000 candidates were invited in a category-based selection draw for French-language proficiency, and 911 candidates were invited from the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Since 5,000 candidates received ITAs in a draw on July 31, this was the largest CEC draw. The CRS score for this draw is marginally higher than it was for the previous CEC draw. In the most recent one, which was held on August 27, applicants had to receive at least a 507. An overview of the 2024 Express Entry draw results Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS September 19 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 509 September 13 French language proficiency 1,000 446 September 9 Provincial Nominee Program 911 732 August 27 Canadian Experience Class 3,300 507 August 26 Provincial Nominee Program 1,121 694 August 15 French language proficiency 2,000 394 August 14 Canadian Experience Class 3,200 509 August 13 Provincial Nominee Program 763 690 July 31 Canadian Experience Class 5,000 510 July 30 Provincial Nominee Program 964 686 July 18 French language proficiency 1,800 400 July 17 Canadian Experience Class 6,300 515 July 16 Provincial Nominee Program 1,391 670 July 8 French proficiency 3,200 420 July 5 Healthcare occupations 3,750 445 July 4 Trade occupations 1,800 436 July 2 Provincial Nominee Program 920 739 June 19 Provincial Nominee Program 1,499 663 May 31 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 522 May 30 Provincial Nominee Program 2,985 676 April 24 French proficiency 1,400 410 April 23 General 2,095 529 April 11 STEM occupations 4,500 491 April 10 General 1,280 549 March 26 French language proficiency 1,500 388 March 25 General 1,980 524 March 13 Transport occupations 975 430 March 12 General 2,850 525 February 29 French language proficiency 2,500 336 February 28 General 1,470 534 February 16 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 150 437 February 14 Healthcare occupations 3,500 422 February 13 General 1,490 535 February 1 French language proficiency 7,000 365 January 31 General 730 541 January 23 General 1,040 543 January 10 General 1,510 546 Express Entry: What Is It? In 2015, the application management system Express Entry was introduced. It is in charge of three of the most well-known economic immigration initiatives in Canada: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Each of these programs assigns a point value to a number of in-demand human capital variables, including age, occupation, job experience, education, and language proficiency, using the Comprehensive Ranking System. A sibling living in Canada, immigration with a spouse or partner, or having strong English and French Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) scores are other factors that can provide points to candidates. Taken together, the scores for these factors add up to a candidate’s overall CRS score. Those who have the highest scores are the most likely to recieve an ITA in an upcoming Express Entry draw. Last year, IRCC also introduced category-based selection draws for Express Entry candidates with specific attributes such as their work experience or language ability. Six categories were chosen including: Healthcare Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions Trades Transport Agriculture and agri-food French language proficiency According to the IRCC, these categories were selected following stakeholder consultations and represent Canada’s need to meet demographic targets and gaps in high-demand areas of the labor force. For instance, the department chose to prioritize competency in French in order to aid reach its goal of having newcomers settle in French-minority regions outside of Quebec. A candidate has sixty days from the moment they receive their ITA to send the IRCC their final application. The department’s usual service time for processing an Express Entry application that has been finalized is six months. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

NEWS

IRCC issues 911 invitations to apply in Express Entry draw for PNP candidates

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In the most recent Express Entry lottery, Invitations to Apply (ITAs) have been released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Only candidates for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) were eligible to receive 911 ITAs from the department. To be considered, candidates had to receive a minimum of 732 points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Get a Free Express Entry Assessment The first drawing of the month is today, and it comes after a hectic summer. In 14 distinct Express Entry lotteries, the IRCC solicited candidates in July and August. More precisely, since the system’s debut in 2015, July has broken the record for the most drawings in a single month. Between July 2 and July 31, there were nine drawings. In the most recent Express Entry, which was held on August 27, 3,330 individuals received invites in a lottery that was limited to those enrolled in the Canadian Experience Class. IRCC has recently adopted a pattern of multiple draws every other week. They generally include at least one draw for PNP candidates. This is line with IRCC’s previously announced intention to hold more “domestic” draws to ensure that temporary residents in Canada have increased opportunity to become permanent residents and to reduce the volume of temporary residents entering Canada. Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024 Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS September 9 Provincial Nominee Program 911 732 August 27 Canadian Experience Class 3,300 507 August 26 Provincial Nominee Program 1,121 694 August 15 French language proficiency 2,000 394 August 14 Canadian Experience Class 3,200 509 August 13 Provincial Nominee Program 763 690 July 31 Canadian Experience Class 5,000 510 July 30 Provincial Nominee Program 964 686 July 18 French language proficiency 1,800 400 July 17 Canadian Experience Class 6,300 515 July 16 Provincial Nominee Program 1,391 670 July 8 French proficiency 3,200 420 July 5 Healthcare occupations 3,750 445 July 4 Trade occupations 1,800 436 July 2 Provincial Nominee Program 920 739 June 19 Provincial Nominee Program 1,499 663 May 31 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 522 May 30 Provincial Nominee Program 2,985 676 April 24 French proficiency 1,400 410 April 23 General 2,095 529 April 11 STEM occupations 4,500 491 April 10 General 1,280 549 March 26 French language proficiency 1,500 388 March 25 General 1,980 524 March 13 Transport occupations 975 430 March 12 General 2,850 525 February 29 French language proficiency 2,500 336 February 28 General 1,470 534 February 16 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 150 437 February 14 Healthcare occupations 3,500 422 February 13 General 1,490 535 February 1 French language proficiency 7,000 365 January 31 General 730 541 January 23 General 1,040 543 January 10 General 1,510 546 What is Express Entry? Express Entry is an application management system that was introduced by IRCC in 2015 to help the department select economic immigration candidates with in-demand human capital attributes. It oversees three economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. The Comprehensive Ranking System is the cornerstone of the system. It assigns a point score to applicants for several attributes such as their language ability, work experience, education, occupation and age. Taken together, these points make up a candidate’s overall score. Those with the highest scores are the most likely to recieve an ITA. Candidates in these programs can also apply for streams of the Provincial Nominee Program that are aligned with Express Entry, a process known as enhanced nomination. Express Entry candidates who are nominated through a PNP automatically recieve an additioanl 600 CRS points, making it extremely likely they will recieve an ITA in an upcoming Express Entry draw, depending on the type of draw. IRCC also introduced category-based selection draws in 2023 to allow the department to target the candidates with more specific in-demand attributes, mostly based around work experience. Candidates who recieve ITAs in one of these draws are not required to be in any specific Express Entry  program (although they must still be in the Express Entry application pool) and the minimum CRS required is generally lower than it would be for a program-specific or general draw. The six categories are: Healthcare occupations Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions Trades occupations, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors Transport occupations Agriculture and agri-food occupations French-language proficiency IRCC reviews these categories every year and says that as labour market priorities and demographic demands shift, the categories may change in coming years. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

NEWS

“Who’s In? Meet the Latest CEC Candidates Receiving ITAs!”

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An applicant’s ability to get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian Permanent Residency through Express Entry (EE) is contingent upon their CRS score. Candidates that meet the requirements of the CEC program can apply to join the Express Entry (EE) pool, where they will be compared to other candidates and assigned a score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The Canadian government periodically chooses the top scorers who meet the requirements for the draw and sends them an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in Canada. 3,300 CEC-eligible applicants were most recently chosen by the IRCC from the EE pool. These applicants met the lowest cut-off score in this draw category since the year’s beginning with a CRS score of 507 or above. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment We have created a few fictional profiles of candidates who would have been selected in the previous CEC draw. EXAMPLE 1: Bio: Sehan is a 26-year-old chemical engineer from Sri Lanka. He moved to Canada to do a three-year bachelor’s degree in engineering after which he did a diploma course. After graduating, he got a job at a Canadian company as a process engineer and has worked there for a little over two years. He has advanced English language skills (CLB10+ in all categories), which have earned him the maximum number of points in that category but does not speak French. Here’s a breakdown of his skills and qualifications – and the points allotted to them. Age 26 110 Education Two or more post-secondary credentials with at least one being three years 128 English language proficiency Advanced 136 Work Experience in Canada 2.5 years 53 Education (Language + Canadian Work Experience)   50 Canadian education   30   Core Human Capital for a Primary Applicant with no Spouse: (427 / 460) Skill Transferability Combinations: (50/100)    Additional Factors: (30/600)  Based on this profile, Sehan has 507 points, which is exactly equal to the last CEC cutoff score. That means that there are high chances he would have received an ITA following the latest draw. EXAMPLE 2: Bio: Helena is a 29-year-old marketing professional from England who already has two years of work experience there. She moved to Canada to pursue a master’s degree in marketing and then joined a firm in Canada where she worked for a year. Helena has excellent English skills (CLB10+ in all categories) but does not speak French. Here’s a breakdown of her skills and qualifications, and the points allotted to them.   Age 29 110 Education Master’s degree 135 English language proficiency Advanced 136 Work experience in Canada 1 year 40 Education (language + work experience)   50 Foreign work (language + Canadian work experience)   38 Canadian education   30   Core Human Capital for a Primary Applicant with no Spouse: (421/ 460) Skill Transferability Combinations: (88/100)    Additional Factors: (30/600)  Results: Based on this profile, Helena has 539 points, which is higher than the last CEC cutoff score. That means that she would have received an ITA following the latest draw. EXAMPLE 3: Bio: Samia is a 31-year-old architect with a year of experience in an Egyptian company with a global presence. After receiving a valid job offer from Canada, she arrived on a work permit and has worked in the country for a year. She has arranged employment with an LMIA. Samia has good English skills (CLB9 in all categories) but doesn’t speak French. Although she has two degrees, she has never studied in Canada.   Age 31 99 Education Two or more post secondary credentials with at least one being 3 years 128 English language proficiency Initial advanced 124 Work experience in Canada 1 year 40 Education (language + Canadian work experience)   50 Foreign work (language + Canadian work experience   38 Qualifying Canadian job offer   50   Core Human Capital for a Primary Applicant with no Spouse: (391/ 460) Skill Transferability Combinations: (88/100)  Additional Factors: (50/600)    Results: Based on this profile, Samia has 529 points which is higher than the last CEC cutoff score. That means that she would have received an ITA following the latest draw. EXAMPLE 4: Bio: Sami is a 33-year-old from Algeria who moved to Canada to become an electrician. He enrolled in a trade school and completed an apprenticeship program. After finishing this, he worked for a year as an electrician. He speaks good English (CLB9 in all categories) skills and is also fluent in French (CLB8 in all categories).   Age 33 88 Education Three-year post-secondary credential 128 English language proficiency Initial advanced 124 French language proficiency High intermediate 12 Work experience in Canada 1 year 40 Education (language + Canadian work experience)   50 Trade certification   50 Canadian education   30 Proficient in French   50   Core Human Capital for a Primary Applicant with no Spouse: (392 / 460) Skill Transferability Combinations: (100/100)  Additional Factors: (80/100)  Results: Sami received 572 points, which is well-above the current cut-offs in the CEC category.   Where do I rank in the Express Entry pool? IRCC has a comprehensive and up-to-date record of all the profiles in the Express Entry pool which can give candidates an idea of the overall state of the EE pool and how they rank within it. This list is constantly changing as new profiles are submitted and older ones expire. As of August 27, there are 205,137 candidates in the pool. According to this draw, most candidates seem to be in the 450-500 points range, with that bracket having 61,133 candidates. With current cut-offs in the CEC draws being higher than 500, boosting points by improving language abilities, getting an eligible job offer or exploring PNP options can help a candidate get an ITA. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

NEWS

“Canada Issues 3,300 ITAs to Canadian Experience Class Candidates in Latest Express Entry Draw!”

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In the second Express Entry draw of the week, Invitations to Apply (ITAs) have been released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 3,300 applicants were invited by the government through a Canadian Experience Class (CEC)-only lottery. A minimum score of 507 on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) was required for candidates to be considered. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment Yesterday, the department invited 1,121 candidates in a Provincial Nominee Program-only (PNP) draw. Candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 694 to be considered.  The last round of multiple Express Entry draws took place between August 13-15. The draw on August 15 was a category-based selection draw for those eligible for the French-speaking proficiency category. On August 13, Canada invited 763 candidates in a PNP only draw. Candidate’s needed a minimum score of 690 to be considered. A draw on August 14 was for 3,200 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates with a minimum score of 509. IRCC has recently developed a pattern of holding multiple draws every other week. Over the past few months especially there has been an increased number of PNP and CEC draws. This is in line with the department’s priority to hold more domestic draws to help reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada while also working toward hitting the permanent resident admissions targets outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026. IRCC is planning to welcome 110,770 newcomers through Express Entry in 2024 and 117,500 in 2025. Candidate’s who recieve ITAs in the later half of the year are more likely to help meet the 2025 target because IRCC has a service standard of six months to process all finalized Express Entry applications. Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024 Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS August 27 Canadian Experience Class 3,300 507 August 26 Provincial Nominee Program 1,121 694 August 15 French language proficiency 2,000 394 August 14 Canadian Experience Class 3,200 509 August 13 Provincial Nominee Program 763 690 July 31 Canadian Experience Class 5,000 510 July 30 Provincial Nominee Program 964 686 July 18 French language proficiency 1,800 400 July 17 Canadian Experience Class 6,300 515 July 16 Provincial Nominee Program 1,391 670 July 8 French proficiency 3,200 420 July 5 Healthcare occupations 3,750 445 July 4 Trade occupations 1,800 436 July 2 Provincial Nominee Program 920 739 June 19 Provincial Nominee Program 1,499 663 May 31 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 522 May 30 Provincial Nominee Program 2,985 676 April 24 French proficiency 1,400 410 April 23 General 2,095 529 April 11 STEM occupations 4,500 491 April 10 General 1,280 549 March 26 French language proficiency 1,500 388 March 25 General 1,980 524 March 13 Transport occupations 975 430 March 12 General 2,850 525 February 29 French language proficiency 2,500 336 February 28 General 1,470 534 February 16 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 150 437 February 14 Healthcare occupations 3,500 422 February 13 General 1,490 535 February 1 French language proficiency 7,000 365 January 31 General 730 541 January 23 General 1,040 543 January 10 General 1,510 546 What is Express Entry? Express Entry is an application managment system that oversees three prominent economic immigration class programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class. Candidates in these programs are evaluated and ranked based on human capital factors using the Comprehensive Ranking System. They receive scores for their occupation, work experience, age, education, language ability and occupation in addition to other factors such as if they are immigrating with a spouse or partner or have a sibling in Canada. The points they receive for each factor are added together and make up an overall CRS score. Those who have the highest scores are the most likely to recievev an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence in Canada in an upcoming Express Entry draw. In May 2023, IRCC also annouced it would begin holding category-based rounds of invitations for Express Entry candidates who meet certain criteria due to their occupation or language abilities. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

NEWS

“Express Entry: 1,121 PNP Candidates Invited in Latest IRCC Draw!”

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In the most recent Express Entry lottery, Invitations to Apply (ITAs) have been released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The department held a draw for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) solely, and 1,121 individuals were invited. A minimum score of 694 on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) was required for candidates to be considered. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment Today’s draw is the the fourth of the month. The last Express Entry draw happened on August 15 and was a category-based selection draw for those eligible for the French-speaking proficiency category. Two other draws took place the same week. On August 13, Canada invited 763 candidates in a PNP only draw. Candidate’s needed a minimum score of 690 to be considered. A draw on August 14 was for 3,200 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates with a minimum score of 509. IRCC has recently developed a pattern of holding multiple draws every other week. Over the past few months especially there has been an increased number of PNP and CEC draws. This is in line with the department’s priority to hold more domestic draws to help reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada while also working toward hitting the permanent resident admissions targets outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026. IRCC is planning to welcome 110,770 newcomers through Express Entry in 2024 and 117,500 in 2025. Candidate’s who recieve ITAs in the later half of the year are more likely to help meet the 2025 target because IRCC has a service standard of six months to process all finalized Express Entry applications. Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024 Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS August 26 Provincial Nominee Program 1,121 694 August 15 French language proficiency 2,000 394 August 14 Canadian Experience Class 3,200 509 August 13 Provincial Nominee Program 763 690 July 31 Canadian Experience Class 5,000 510 July 30 Provincial Nominee Program 964 686 July 18 French language proficiency 1,800 400 July 17 Canadian Experience Class 6,300 515 July 16 Provincial Nominee Program 1,391 670 July 8 French proficiency 3,200 420 July 5 Healthcare occupations 3,750 445 July 4 Trade occupations 1,800 436 July 2 Provincial Nominee Program 920 739 June 19 Provincial Nominee Program 1,499 663 May 31 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 522 May 30 Provincial Nominee Program 2,985 676 April 24 French proficiency 1,400 410 April 23 General 2,095 529 April 11 STEM occupations 4,500 491 April 10 General 1,280 549 March 26 French language proficiency 1,500 388 March 25 General 1,980 524 March 13 Transport occupations 975 430 March 12 General 2,850 525 February 29 French language proficiency 2,500 336 February 28 General 1,470 534 February 16 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 150 437 February 14 Healthcare occupations 3,500 422 February 13 General 1,490 535 February 1 French language proficiency 7,000 365 January 31 General 730 541 January 23 General 1,040 543 January 10 General 1,510 546 What is Express Entry? Express Entry is an application managment system that oversees three prominent economic immigration class programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class. Candidates in these programs are evaluated and ranked based on human capital factors using the Comprehensive Ranking System. They receive scores for their occupation, work experience, age, education, language ability and occupation in addition to other factors such as if they are immigrating with a spouse or partner or have a sibling in Canada. Their total CRS score is the sum of the points they receive for each factor. In a future Express Entry draw, the candidates with the highest scores stand the best chance of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada. Additionally, the IRCC announced in May 2023 that it will start hosting category-based invitation rounds for Express Entry applicants who satisfy specific requirements related to their profession or language proficiency. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

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