The lowest ever Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) point requirement has been reached in the latest draw in Canada’s Express Entry immigration selection system. Candidates with 423 or more CRS points were issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) following the draw that took place the evening of April 12, marking the fifth time so far this year in which a new record low has been reached.
The previous record low threshold was 431, in a draw that took place last week on April 5.
With a total of 3,923 candidates invited this time around, this draw also marks another new record for the most ITAs issued in any single draw.
Over the first three months, or quarter, of 2017, a total of 24,632 ITAs were issued, far surpassing any other three-month period in the history of Express Entry, which was first launched in January, 2015. Early April has followed in the same vein, with two back-to-back draws in consecutive weeks allowing a total of 7,676 ITAs to be issued, meaning that 32,308 ITAs have been issued so far this year.
In that time, the CRS requirement has decreased from 468 to 423. As recently as last December, just four months ago, the requirement was 497.
All of this means that a greater diversity of candidates are in position to submit an e-application for Canadian permanent residence. The following hypothetical scenarios are cases in point.
Steve is 30 years old and has been working as an IT manager for three years. He has a Bachelor’s degree and initial advanced proficiency in English. Steve has not been to Canada, but his CRS of 424 was enough to obtain an ITA in the April 12 draw.
Sylvie is 37 and came to Canada to obtain a Bachelor’s degree. After graduating, she went back to her home country to work. She has an advanced proficiency in English in speaking and listening, and an initial advanced proficiency in reading and writing. Her husband, Paul, also has a Bachelor’s degree and an initial advanced English language proficiency in speaking and listening, and a high intermediate proficiency in reading and writing. Their score of 423 CRS points meant that they were in line to receive an ITA in the latest draw.
Anne Marie is 31 years old and has been working as a restaurant manager for three years. She has a Bachelor’s degree and speaks English well. She wrote her IELTS exam, and got an 8 in each language ability. Although Anne Marie has never been to Canada, her CRS score would be 427, high enough to receive an ITA in the latest draw.
Shaun is 39 years old and has been working as a university professor for six years. He has an advanced English language proficiency and a Master’s degree. His CRS score of 426 would have been enough to secure an ITA this time around.
Common-law partners Mickael and Sophie both have Bachelor’s degrees and have an initial advanced proficiency in English. They work together as software engineers, and each has three years of experience. They have visited Canada several times, but have never studied or worked in Canada. Even though they are both eligible to enter the pool as federal skilled workers, Sophie is one year older than Mickael; Sophie is 31 and Mickael is 30. As a result, they entered the pool with Mickael as the principal applicant. Their score of 426 CRS points was sufficient to receive an ITA in the latest draw.
Selma is 29 and came to Canada as an international student. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in British Columbia and has been working for two years on post-graduation work permit. She has an intermediate English language proficiency in listening, reading and writing, and a high intermediate proficiency in speaking. Selma’s score of 425 CRS points would have been enough to obtain an ITA.
The latest trends in Express Entry follow a remarkable few months in the history of the system. Not only has Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) ramped up the number of ITAs issued — a major contributing factor in the corresponding decrease in the CRS requirement — but the current period comes between two sets of improvements made to the CRS.
The first set of improvements came last November, when IRCC determined that the number of CRS points awarded for a qualifying job offer would be changed from 600 points to either 50 or 200, depending on the position offered (note: a job offer is not required to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry). Around that time, IRCC stated that ‘a reduction of points to candidates with arranged employment means the CRS cut-off will decline,’ with a further aim to ‘balance the Comprehensive Ranking System to put greater weight on human capital, skills and experience.’
Therefore, IRCC predicted that this first set of changes would have a significant effect on the make-up of the pool. Over time, we have seen that this has been the case.
The next set of improvements, which have already been announced, are due to be implemented on June 6. There will be three changes. First, additional points will be allocated to candidates with a sibling in Canada. Second, candidates with French ability may be awarded additional points. And lastly, registration in the Canada Job Bank will become voluntary. These changes are not expected to alter the make-up of the CRS as significantly as the first set of changes introduced last November.
“Candidates in the pool, as well as individuals thinking of creating an Express Entry profile, should be hearing IRCC’s message loud and clear — 2017 is a breakout year for the system, and this could be the year to set in motion a plan to realize your Canadian immigration goals,” says Attorney David Cohen.
“IRCC expects to process applications within six months, and in the vast majority of cases we have seen that this goal is being met. Consequently, many invited candidates and their families could be living and working in Canada before the end of the year. The first step, however, is to enter the pool with an updated and accurate profile, before gathering supporting documentation and taking steps to improve one’s CRS score, thereby increasing the chances of receiving that all-important Invitation to Apply.”
To find out if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada permanently, fill out a free online assessment form.
© 2017 CICNews All Rights Reserved
pinder says
Im graduate and done diploma hair and skin care ITI i have one year experience can i apply for Canada
Tushar Chhibber says
Isn’t the new PR card processing time 45 days currently? My concern is regarding this line in the article:
“IRCC expects to process applications within six months, and in the vast majority of cases we have seen that this goal is being met.”
Michael says
The article is about applications for permanent residence, not for the permanent resident card. Two different things.
salim talukdar says
I like canada
Jose George says
What are the chances of the CRS points coming down to 400? Is the 150th year celebration going to involve more immigrants?
Shona says
Very high
Nalini Venkatesh says
Are there chances of CRS going down to 350
Adekola says
I am an ex banker wit 12 years experience. Bsc bus admin
Am I qualify
Shubham Ghai says
What will be good news for Alberta?
Me and my friends moved to Alberta four months ago .
Is there anything or upcoming that make more easy in alberta for immigrants to have AINP
Aniketh says
Is there a possibility of a further decline in the CRS Points? What are the chances? I mean a decline close to the range of 410!
Ritesh R Singh says
Very high
Parul says
Hi! We keep seeing updates on the other provincial nominations like British Columbia, saskatachen, manitoba etc but haven’t seen any update on the Prince Edward Island. Have they not offered provincial nominations as yet to any one? Haven’t they issued ITAs to the prospective people?
Tamilarasi says
I love Canada life, because my whole family working in Canada, but unfortunately I can’t go there, because I have no experience, more time write the ielts get the band4.5 .can u tell me the procedure how many band get me the ielts .my brother in or.my uncle citizenship in Canada
razel says
I really wanna work in canada and i want to apply as a Food Factory Workers or Fruit Packers the Canada is my dream country… I love Canada well….
Munganyinka Angelique says
Thanks for opportunities .am College graduate in Nursing
Surinder Kumar Sheoran says
I want to apply for Canada PR. My age is 37 years. My Ielts score are as follow
Listening 7.5
Reading 8.5
Writing 6.0
Speaking 6.0
I am working in Govt department for 11 years in India. My spouse have only basic English proficiency
What is my total CRS score and whether I can apply for Canada PR. What is the chances of my application being successful
Pratik Parmar says
for that you can use : http://www.cic.gc.ca
AnuAnd says
Hi , I have made my mind to file the express entry application . I have given my IELTS and received my university transcripts. They are submitted to WES for the evaluation. can I file an application in the express entry poll . Please advise . Thanks
Vicente Micker Villamin says
Submitted everything my consultant asked me…got rejected for police certificate which is not yet expired…hoping for reopening/reconsideration…put everything at stake for Canada…waiting….
Adeola says
hi, i filled the express entry profile on the 11th of april 2017 with a score of 434 and i did not get an ITA, I got an NOI from the government of Ontario though. Is there a reason i did not get invited?
Thanks
Tseganshe says
it is amazing
Surjeet Kamboj says
Hello Sir ,I want to know how can I get admission of my son in 10th class who is currently studying in class 9th here in India.
Cham says
I have done academic ielts with scores of 6.5 speakING, 9 listening, 8.5 reading and 7.5 writing. Do I have to do general version for express entry or is academic version accepted?
Foram says
I am 27 years old married woman master’s degree in IT professional with 5 year of same job experience.my latest ielts score is as below
L-6
R-6.5
W-5.5
S-6.5
Please inform me whether i am eligible for express entry ??
Dr.Grey says
Is there any chances for an applicant having CRS inbetween 300 to 320 ?
The candidate is capable and smart enough to make a living in Canada however due to point based system candidate is loosing hope and very desperate to migrate to Canada.If candidates are not to be chosen from express entry pool having this score then they shouldn’t be allowed to create their profile,if everyone is going to look at the score which can be achieved anyhow then you’re not looking for an honest and potential candidate and maybe only scores are important and not the candidates.
I would appreciate a response from a person responsible for answering in this comment. Require your guidance.
Forhad khan Shonet says
I’m very happy to see the opportunity,thank you.
Daniel Hammond says
I have a Bsc Nursing degree resides in Ghana and I want to find out how I can gain entry into Canada by securing a Nursing Work.
samanthi says
Samanthi
18th April 17
I applied on line for the PR in Dec 2016. I still did not get AOR or not being done the processing fee.My agent told me that the cic should send us a message to pay the processing fee.Is it true?wts the reason for this damn delay?
Oluwakoya olufunmilola says
I am a 45 year old lady with diploma in Estate management I intend to move to Canada with my family and I want to begin the process of moving over. I’m I still eligible and are there prospects for me qualifying?
Thanks