Express Entry: So Far So Good

Anybody who had followed the government of Canada’s announcements regarding the launch of its new Express Entry selection system for Canadian immigration coming up to launch day on January 1, 2015, knew the rules and procedures that would govern the system, but nobody could say for certain how things might pan out.

Three months and six draws later, we are getting a fuller picture of how the system operates in reality.

In terms of how often Express Entry draws are made, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) appears to favour frequent draws that select a limited number of candidates. Before launch day, CIC officials said that an estimated 15 to 25 draws would be made in 2015. With six draws having taken place between January 31 and March 27, CIC is on track to get to the upper end of that estimated range if the regularity of draws remains consistent.

CIC also indicated that candidates without a qualifying job offer from a Canadian employer or a provincial nomination may be selected in earlier draws from the pool. While the first four draws selected only candidates who had either a job offer or a provincial nomination, the two most recent draws have indeed selected a number of candidates who did not have either one. These candidates had reasonably high scores under the Comprehensive Ranking System based on factors such as age, level of education, language ability, and work experience. Up to 600 points may be awarded for these factors, with a further 600 awarded to candidates with a qualifying job offer from a Canadian employer or a provincial nomination.

(The dotted line at 600 represents the maximum number of points a candidate can be awarded without obtaining a qualifying job offer from a Canadian employer or a provincial nomination)

Express Entry: the past, present and future

“While three months of operation may not provide enough details to form a full picture of how Express Entry may function in the future, it certainly offers enough to make a fair analysis of how things are working today,” says Attorney David Cohen.

“The good news for candidates who have not yet been issued an invitation to apply is that the required CRS score required has decreased with each new draw from the pool. With CIC having selected a number of candidates without job offers or provincial nominations in recent weeks, this provides real incentive for these individuals to make efforts to improve their profile and ranking. Doing so may increase their chances of making it over the line and being selected.

“It should be remembered, however, that obtaining a qualifying job offer or provincial nomination remains the surest way of being issued an invitation to apply. Express Entry is a system that rewards proactive candidates.”

Click here to learn more about improving your profile and ranking under the Comprehensive Ranking System.

Express Entry quick facts, from January 1 to April 1 (All dates are for 2015)

Launch date: January 1
First draw from the pool: January 31
Most recent draw from the pool: March 27
Minimum CRS points required for selection in any one draw: 453 (March 27 draw)
Largest number of invitations to apply issued in any one draw: 1,637 (March 27 draw)
Fewest invitations to apply issued in any one draw: 779 (January 1 and February 7 draws)
Largest decrease in CRS points required between two consecutive draws: 254 (from February 27 to March 20 draws)
Smallest decrease in CRS points required between two consecutive draws: 10 (from February 7 to February 20 draws)
Longest gap between two consecutive draws: 21 days (from February 27 to March 20 draws)
Shortest gap between two consecutive draws: 7 days (on three occasions)

Click here to learn more about all Express Entry draws that have taken place so far.

Important information for all candidates and applicants

Once an invitation to apply has been issued to a candidate, he or she has 60 days to file a complete application with all supporting documents; no extensions will be granted. Candidates who have been issued an invitation to apply are encouraged to submit their complete applications in good time to avoid missing their opportunity, while those who have not yet been selected from the Express Entry pool are encouraged to gather these documents in advance.

Moreover, it is important that the information provided and documents submitted are completely accurate in order to avoid being penalised for misrepresentation. Penalties for misrepresentation may include a five-year ban on applying to immigrate to, or even visit, Canada.

Express Entry is not an immigration program in itself, but rather a system used by CIC to select candidates for immigration to Canada using the following economic immigration programs:

Federal Skilled Worker Program
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Canadian Experience Class
a portion of the Provincial Nominee Programs

To find out if you are eligible for any of over 60 Canadian immigration programs, including the federal economic programs that are processed under Express Entry, please fill out a free online assessment.