CIC NEWS
A total of 3,796 candidates in the Express Entry pool for immigration to Canada were issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a draw that took place on May 4, 2017. Each invited candidate this time around had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 423 or higher.
This CRS cut-off threshold is broadly in line with other draws that have taken over recent weeks and months, which have seen thresholds move from the mid-400s down to the low-400s. The lowest ever threshold, 415, was in the April 19 draw, while the draw preceding that one (April 12) also saw a threshold of 423.
Today’s draw brings the total number of ITAs issued so far in 2017 to 39,769, and the total since Express Entry was first launched in 2015 to 104,614.
The total number of ITAs issued so far this year nearly equals the total number of principal applicants who landed in Canada through Express Entry (43,202) over the first two years of the system’s operation. Consequently, it is likely that the rate of admissions to Canada through Express Entry will increase through 2017 as more candidates are invited to apply, and already invited candidates have their applications approved.
A recent report from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides insights into the history of Express Entry, and how this fits into the growth in invitations issued and a decrease in the CRS cut-off threshold so far this year.
In this report, IRCC stated an expectation that the CRS cut-off threshold should become ‘progressively lower’ as ‘the Express Entry pool is now the main source of permanent residence applications in the economic category of the Immigration Levels Plan.’ And while the threshold increased slightly this time around, relative to the previous draw, the general trend over recent months is towards large draws and a decreasing threshold.
For more on this report, see:
- IRCC 2016 Express Entry Year-End Report: More Candidates Outside Canada Invited to Apply
- Express Entry Report Reveals Importance of Provincial Nominee Programs
- Express Entry Immigrants to Canada: Who Are They, and Where Are They Going?
How are candidates getting an ITA?
The following hypothetical scenarios show how candidates in the Express Entry pool are obtaining their ITA.
Isabela is 39 years old, and has worked as a nutritionist for more than six years following the completion of her Master’s degree. She has never worked or studied in Canada, although she did visit for a short holiday after her degree. She achieved an advanced level on her IELTS test in each ability, except speaking, in which she achieved an initial advanced level. Her CRS score is 423, enough to secure an ITA this time around.
Enrique is 32 years old. He has worked as an accountant for three years in his home country. Although English isn’t his first language, he pursued a Bachelor’s degree and has been working on his English, so he achieved an advanced level in all categories on his recent IELTS test. He entered the pool with a CRS score of 425, enough to obtain an ITA in the most recent draw.
Elsa and Alvin are married and have very similar credentials. Each partner is 30 years old, has a Bachelor’s degree, three years of skilled work experience, and an initial advanced proficiency in English. Neither has ever been to Canada, but their CRS score of 426 was enough for them to obtain an ITA.
Danny is 31 and has been working as an IT consultant for four years. Danny has a Bachelor’s degree and wrote the IELTS, scoring an 8 in each category. Danny has visited Canada before but has never lived or worked in Canada. His CRS score of 427 is enough for him to be invited in the May 4 draw.
Syed is 26 years old, and has been working in Canada as a welder for a year, after completing a one-year college diploma in Ontario. He has IELTS test results of 8.5 in Speaking and Listening, and 7 in Reading and Writing, and has no foreign work experience. His age, Canadian educational credential, year of skilled work experience, and language results give him 423 CRS points – enough to obtain an ITA in the most recent draw.
Lynn is 35 years old and completed a Bachelor’s degree in Vancouver, British Columbia. She worked abroad for two years before coming to Canada, and has been working as a management consultant in Canada for two years. She got a 6 in each section of her IELTS, giving her a CRS score of 424.
Stefan is 39 years old, and has a Master’s degree in journalism, obtained in his home country. He has been working for eight years, also in his home country. Stefan has an initial advanced level of English in each category, except for speaking, where he obtained an advanced score on his IELTS test. His wife Cristina has a Bachelor’s degree and an initial advanced level of English. Together, they obtain 423 points, and have received an ITA in the latest draw.
A transitional stage
The current period in the history of Express Entry is a transitional one, coming as it does between two sets of improvements to the system. The first set, introduced last November, altered the number of CRS points awarded for a job offer, from 600 down to either 50 or 200, depending on the position offered. IRCC stated that ‘a reduction of points to candidates with arranged employment means the CRS cut-off will decline,’ and, taken with the increase in ITAs issued over recent months, these have been the two major contributory factors to the decrease in the CRS threshold.
The next set of improvements are scheduled to come into force on June 6. Candidates with proof of French ability, as well as candidates with a sibling in Canada, will be awarded additional points, and registration in the Canada Job Bank will become voluntary.
Although the changes already introduced have had a significant effect on the make-up of the pool, the upcoming changes are not expected to have the same weight of effect.
“With IRCC have revealed that Express Entry is now the main driver of economic immigration to Canada, it is perhaps no surprise that the department continues to conduct draws that are larger than those that took place just a few months ago,” says Attorney David Cohen.
“More and more candidates, even those who enter the pool with scores below the lowest score drawn, are realizing their Canadian immigration goals through Express Entry, but the first step is to get in the pool. Only then can a candidate pursue a provincial nomination, as well as other ways to improve his or her ranking, and be in line for selection by IRCC.”
To find out if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada permanently, fill out a free online assessment form.
Candidates who have received an ITA and want to learn more about the next steps may complete this short form.
© 2017 CICNews All Rights Reserved
Nasir says
I guess there will be some time lag between the draw and the time one gets the ITA. I got in the pool two weeks ago with a CRS point of 439. Fingers crossed.
Sai says
good luck buddy,
Nasir says
Thanks man!
hamza mohamec says
hi I am hamza from kenya I am currently persuing bachelor of statistics and economy so I want to participate do how will I go about
Zziwa nicholas says
I’m really interested in studying in Canada.
I need to now the procedures to start earning points
Abdulkarim says
I love Canada I wish go to Canada and work there study there live there
Mukunzi Jean Bosco says
I want to live in Canada please help me ,but if it’s required the to went in Canada is problem to ,but if it is free please help me. Jean Bosco ,Mukunzi
Fola says
Hello,
I have had the IELTS exam , my credential evaluation is done as well, i have a brother who is resident in Canada and just got my express entry online profile formed filled out ready for submission. However a friend told me to calculate my CRS point and to my bewilderment my point is just about 358 and it will be about 373 with the upcoming changes in June, which is still low compared to the CRS cut-off threshold that has been used in recent times. Pls how do i help my self to stand a better chance.
Remi says
You need to get more points…. more work experience, higher degree, increase your ielts score e.t.c
Chris says
Higher score in IELTS (at least 8 in each module) will help boost your CRS points.
Sam says
I have a CRS score of 422 and sadly couldn’t apply for the last draw when it was 415. My wife’s WES was pending then. Is there a chance of the CRS score coming down again?
Birdsson says
Sam, I also have 422. It’s so sad right…. just 1 point…. couldn’t be worse
maria bernadeth collao says
Greetings!
We (my husband & I) have a CRS points of 324. We already have an Express Entry Profile but no job offer yet as of this time.
Both of us are Masters graduates. My IELTS is 7.5 while my husband is 6.5. Both of us have work experience, I work as an Executive Director and my husband is a Presbyterian minister and a teacher.
Do you think we have a chance of getting an ITA? Thank you.
Azizullah says
I love Canada I wish go to Canada
Nabil laktami says
I like to be a part in people canadien. I wish I could
Catherine Wawira says
hi have tried to comment many times but l don’t know how to check the marks given.How do I know whether I have qualified with my children?please help
mohammed Badi says
Hi, I’m Mohammed. I want to immigrate to Canada. I am 21 years old. I am from Yemen. I study pharmacy technician. I have relatives living in Canada. Please help me.
mohammad ibrahim Al mohammmad says
I need canada
Joel Amisi says
I too need to come to Canada, have MSc. From Belgium, BSc. from Kenia but have not been able to do English language test. I love Canada
Tibaingana fred says
hello guys thanks for this opportunity, I love Canada so much and I would like to be there and work with you since you’re loving people
SSEBAGGALA GEOFREY says
I’m really interested in working in Canada.
How can join and start earning points??
ibrahima seck says
i would like to move to Canada with my family,i am training to be a farmer, I know I will need more training . how can I get a work contract that would sponsor both me and my family to Canada
ibrahima seck says
i would like to move to Canada with my family, i am training to be a farmer, i know that I will need more training. how can I get a work contract that would sponsor both me and my family to Canada.
Babar says
Express entry draw for April 12th, 2017 was 423 and the next draw on April 19th, 2017 was 415. The recent draw of this month May 4th, 2017 jumped up to 423. I was expecting it to go down as I am stuck with 414. I’m confused as in why is there a fluctuation in the recent draw?
Gudina Deso says
I love Canada I wish go to Canada and working there studying there life and Always i am interested studying in Canada.
Gudina Deso says
Hello sir.
please help me ,how to immigration to Canada ? I love Canada and I miss Canada because she is peace and beautifully Country .
ibrahima seck says
i want to find a job in Canada with my family. i love Canada to much
Badra Aly Condé says
Je suis Badra Aly Condé j’ai 19 ans guinéen Conakry. J’ai besoin de votre aide pour que je vais étudier dans ma vie pour monter mes propres entreprises
Chris says
Just want to ask if you can get additional points if you have previously visited Canada? Thanks!
Ajay walia says
Hi ,
I am Ajay walia . I have done b.tech in electronics and communication and working from last 4.5 years ..In IELTS I have scored 7 in all modules ..my CSR score comes around 429 …what will be the best time for apply for expree entry ?
Ajay walia says
What will be the best time to apply for express entry*
Aadhya says
I have a crs ranking 403..any chances of getting the crs points dropped to 400
Gloria Adjei kwakyewaa says
I am interested in staying in canada with my family. What do I do to get this opportunity?
Dixita jain says
I have a score of 404 as per CRS Calculator. What are my chances of getting an invite?