Since the onset of the pandemic, there has been a shift in the customary frequency of Express Entry draws, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) no longer adheres to a predictable schedule for these draws.
The most recent draw occurred on December 5th, following the previous draw on October 26th. Although IRCC hasn’t provided explicit reasons for the elongated gap between draws, there remain compelling reasons to consider joining the Express Entry pool.
Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs
Entering the Express Entry pool, if eligible, significantly enhances the prospects of immigrating to Canada successfully. While in the pool, one’s profile might attract the interest of a province, leading to an invitation for a provincial nomination, essentially ensuring an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence.
A provincial nomination holds immense value under Express Entry’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), as it adds an additional 600 points to a candidate’s CRS score. The CRS evaluates candidates based on factors like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
A higher CRS score enhances the likelihood of receiving an ITA. Nearly every province and territory operates its own Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), with at least one immigration stream aligned with Express Entry.
For instance, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) scans the Express Entry pool to identify candidates meeting the criteria of Ontario’s Express Entry immigration streams. On November 30th, Ontario issued 1,052 notifications of interest to candidates eligible for Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream. Candidates were nominated if they had a CRS score ranging from 404 to 430 and possessed work experience in one of the 42 targeted healthcare occupations.
In 2023, Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities stream issued notifications of interest to over 15,000 candidates, a significant increase from around 4,000 in 2022, primarily targeting candidates in healthcare or technology occupations.
This underscores that despite the pause in Express Entry draws, being in the Express Entry pool facilitates the potential to receive a provincial nomination and be among the first to apply for permanent residence when draws resume.
Invitations to Apply for Candidates with Lower CRS Scores
Express Entry draws can recommence at any time, with varying CRS score cut-offs. Some draws have invited candidates with notably low CRS scores.
According to Canadian government data from January to September 2023, about half of all Express Entry candidates had CRS scores ranging from 451 to 500.
However, recent months have witnessed draws inviting candidates with CRS scores in the 300s, particularly associated with category-based selection draws, which target candidates with strong French language proficiency or specific work experience in:
- Healthcare
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- Trades such as carpentry, plumbing, and contracting
- Transportation
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Due to the diversified nature of candidates in these categories, category-based selection accommodates more candidates, allowing for lower CRS scores compared to program-specific and general Express Entry draws.
Additionally, Canada’s immigration levels are on the rise, breaking records in 2022 with 437,000 admissions and aiming for 465,000 permanent resident admissions in 2023. The Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026 targets 500,000 immigrants annually in 2025 and 2026.
As Canada seeks to welcome more immigrants, candidates with lower CRS scores have increased opportunities for receiving invitations to apply for permanent residency.
Canadian Government’s Job Bank ‘Plus Account’
Another advantage of being in the Express Entry pool is the ability to create a “Plus Account” in the Canadian government’s online Job Bank, facilitating the search for suitable job opportunities and potentially increasing the chances of securing a Canadian job offer.
A Canadian job offer can yield an additional 50 or 200 CRS points, further enhancing the likelihood of receiving an ITA and facilitating settlement in Canada and integration into the Canadian labor market.
