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Not even six days have passed since the last draw and the IRCC held another draw, inviting 3,665 candidates to apply for permanent residence (PR). Candidates with a score of 415 and higher were selected from the Express Entry pool. This is THE lowest CRS score of all time.
In the first 4 months of 2017, the IRCC invited 35,993 candidates from the Express Entry system to apply for permanent residence. This is more than all of 2016 combined when 32,468 were invited to apply.
The IRCC is selecting an increasing number of candidates each draw which is lowering the required CRS selection score in each successive draw. This is welcomed news for candidates who are interested to apply for permanent residence. Not only is the IRCC selecting a growing number of candidates, the timing between each draw is narrowing, which is also a major contributor to lower CRS scores. The more often a draw takes place, the lower the CRS score. Previously, draws took place every 2 - 3 weeks. We are now seeing draws taking place every 1 -2 weeks. This draw came 6 days after the previous draw which explains the record low in the CRS score. The IRCC seems very determined to meet the increased quota for the Federal Skilled Worker category and meet the planned targets for 2017.
People that are interested in immigrating to Canada should take advantage of these unusually low CRS scores. We have many clients who have been in the Express Entry pool for a year or two waiting, and they finally have been selected to apply for permanent residence in recent weeks. There has never been a better time to apply for PR. Even if you are not ready to move and relocate, you can get permanent residence and move to Canada 4 years later and still maintain your PR. Plan ahead, apply today!
To find out if you are eligible to apply for permanent residence, use our new online Express Entry CRS calculator. If you score above 400 points, you are a strong candidate. If you score below 400, you may still be eligible to apply for PR under a Provincial Nominee Program, under a specific occupation. Otherwise, you may considering coming to Canada to study as a pathway to permanent residence.
If you are interested in immigrating to Canada and need professional help, please contact us. Our firm practices in all areas of immigration law and fully licensed to practice. We can help you make Canada home.
