Latest Express Entry Draw: 455 CRS and 3,782 ITAs
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Latest Express Entry Draw: 455 CRS and 3,782 ITAs


Express Entry Draw Score

In today's Express Entry Draw, IRCC issued 3,782 invitations to individuals with a cut-off score of 455+ who are CEC candidates, having Canadian Work Experience.


Changes to the selection process

On March 23, 2020, IRCC changed the selection process for Express Entry. They are now holding separate draws for PNP, CEC, FST and possibly FSW (this is yet to be determined).


In 2018, IRCC first implemented this strategy for the FST candidates, to have a separate draw, in response to lowering the arrange employment and LMIA points from 600 to 50. This was a welcomed change as most trades workers do not have higher level education such as a Bachelor or Masters degree and could not achieve a high enough CRS score in EE after this points change.


By having separate draws for PNP, CEC and FSW, the net effect is having lower scores for CEC and even more so for FSW. It has yet to be determined if IRCC will draw CEC and FSW workers together or separately. If FSW will have their own draw, we will see even lower CRS scores for this category, perhaps in the 445 to 450 range. This would be a much welcomed change as preferential treatment has gone to individuals who study or work in Canada the last few years. The net result is not granting PR to qualified candidates outside of Canada as they cannot obtain the required 450+ points. IRCC should have a separate quota and draw for FSW to help qualified individuals from outside of Canada to immigrate directly again without having to study or work in Canada to acquire additional points.



To be a good candidate to obtain PR

In order to be a good candidate to apply for PR, individuals currently need to come to Canada as a student or obtain a work permit to gain the additional points necessary to score 450+ points. In most cases, a foreign worker must be sponsored by a Canadian company to obtain a work permit which is challenging. However, there are a couple work permits that do not require sponsorship, such as a working holiday visa or an individual buying a business in Canada and obtaining an Owner Operator Work Permit to manage their own business.

Individuals who study or work in Canada earn between 55 and 125 additional points more than an individual from outside Canada. It has now reached a point where no individual can apply for PR from outside Canada without having Canadian schooling or Canadian work experience. However, as discussed above, this may change in future draws. This has yet to be determined.


IRCC will invite 85,000 individuals to apply for Permanent Residence in 2020. The ideal candidate under Express Entry has a score of at least 450+. To calculate your Express Entry score, use our Express Entry CRS Calculator.

If you are unsure of your eligibility to apply, we can provide a professional assessment and evaluate your immigration options.

Contact us today, we can help you make Canada home.


Matkowsky Immigration Law





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