The Canadian federal government has tripled the number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) it issues in periodic draws, under the Express Entry System, since August 2016.

Over the last three months, the numbers for each draw have sharply risen from 750 on August 24^th to 2,427 in the most recent draw conducted on November 16^th.  During this period, more than 10,000 invitations have been issued.

It is not known whether the rise will continue, especially given the recent changes made to how Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) points are awarded.

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Before August 24, the trend was for the draw to issue in the region of 750 ITAs, a drop from the beginning of the year when numbers averaged more than 1,000.

The increase started with the September 7 draw, when 1,000 ITAs were issued, and has not stopped since, with the next five draws issuing the following numbers of ITAs: 1,288, 1,518, 1,804, 2080, 2,427.

At the same time, although the CRS score threshold has dropped from a peak of 538 on August 24 to 470 on November 16, the CRS trend is not as dramatic as the rise in the number of ITAs.

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

This is a clear indication of how only a slight drop in the CRS threshold results in significantly more ITAs being issued. It could also indicate there are significantly more candidates with profiles in the pool.

It also suggests there were a large number of applicants in the pool with scores in the range of 470 before changes to the allocation of points came into effect on November 19.

Under the new November 19, 2016 rules:

• Applicants with an LMIA for employment as a senior manager (NOC 00) described under the National Occupational Code, will receive 200 points.
• Applicants with an LMIA for employment under all other occupations described under the National Occupational Code (NOC 0, A and B), will receive 50 points.
• Applicants working in Canada under an employer specific work permit backed by an existing LMIA, or providing significant benefit to Canada (Intra-Company Transferee); NAFTA or other international agreement, under an employer specific work permit and have accumulated at least 1-year of work experience; with a managerial skill level position (NOC OO), will receive 200 points.
• Applicants working in Canada under an employer specific work permit backed by an existing LMIA, or providing significant benefit to Canada (Intra-Company Transferee); NAFTA or other international agreement, under an employer specific work permit and have accumulated at least 1-year of work experience; with a skill level position O, A, B under the National Occupational Code; Skilled Trade (NOC B), will receive 50 points.

The new regulations will also benefit international students completing recognized degrees and diplomas in Canada by awarding points to students completing a three-year post secondary, master’s, professional degree or doctorate.  Students who complete a post secondary diploma of at least one year duration, will also be recognized. No points are awarded for a high school certificate obtained in Canada.

Points Awarded for Canadian Education Under Express Entry

Summary Impact Analysis:

1. International students which currently exceed 200,000 annually, have become a major focus for long term retention policies by both the federal and provincial governments.  The new rules will facilitate permanent residence under Express Entry for candidates with a university degree, a post-secondary diploma and other attributes.
2. The number of LMIA applications under the Express Entry system is expected to significantly decline as more candidates will be issued ITA’s under express entry without an LMIA or will defer to provincial immigration programs for a pathway to permanent residence.
3. Overall (CRS) comprehensive ranking system scores of candidates in the express entry pool will decline and will have a neutral effect relative to each other.
4. CRS scores under future draws will likely decline from previous levels.
5. Approved qualifying job offers supported by an LMIA will continue to provide a significant benefit to candidates applying under express entry.
6. Processing times for applications under provincial nomination programs will increase.
7. The number of applicants receiving ITA’s who become permanent residents will increase by a significant measure, as the window to perfect an application increases by 50% to 90 days.

Express Entry is an immigration system introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), in January 2015 and selects skilled workers to Canada under Federal Economic programs including Federal Skilled Workers, Federal Skilled Trades, Canadian Experience Class and certain programs under the Provincial Nominee Class.

Applicants submit an online profile to the Express Entry Pool.  Canadian employers and provincial governments across Canada access the best candidates who are ranked against each other.

The best candidates are invited by the Federal government to apply for Canadian permanent residence under periodic draws.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.

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