.png){kind=small}
In today's Express Entry Draw, IRCC issued 3,508 invitations to individuals with a cut-off score of 431+ who are CEC candidates and have Canadian Work Experience. This is the lowest score seen in 3 years (since May 2017).
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). It appears that due to COVID-19, IRCC is only issuing invitations to individuals in Canada to ensure the they can maintain their status. IRCC has not selected any one under FSW in a few months, while travel restrictions are enforced.
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 in the future. If FSW will have their own draw, we will see even lower CRS scores for this category, perhaps in the 440 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 440+ 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 440+ 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 440+. 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
