WHATSAPPSmashing all the previous records, Canada invited a total of 44124 immigration candidates through Express Entry in the first quarter of 2021. This is the highest number of Express Entry invitations issued in any quarter.
What is Canada Express Entry?
Canada Express Entry system manages applications for immigration under the three federal skilled worker immigration programs, which are Federal Skilled Worker Program, Skilled Trades Class and Canadian Experience Class. To receive an invitation, an immigration candidate must first create an Express Entry profile. Based on various eligibility factors such as age, education, language skills, work experience etc., each candidate is awarded a Comprehensive Ranking System(CRS)score out of 1200. The candidates who are nominated by provinces and territories of Canada for permanent residence receive 600 additional CRS score points.
The New Normal
Canada imposed international travel restrictions in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020. Ever since, the country has increasingly been conducting program-specific draws. In the first quarter of 2021 too, the Express Entry draws have been alternating between Provincial Nominee Program(PNP)-specific draws and Canadian Experience Class(CEC)-specific draws. A total of 10 draws have so far been held during this time period. Among these, six were PNP-specific draws and four were CEC-specific draws.
The Canadian Experience Class or CEC is for candidates who have previous study or work experience in Canada. They need to have at least one year of Canadian work experience and meet requirements in language proficiency. As the border restrictions are still in place, the Express Entry draws are increasingly focusing on CEC candidates. In the Canadian Experience Class draw held on February 13, 2021, Canada invited a whopping 27332 CEC candidates to apply for permanent residence. The minimum required CRS score was 75. So far, this is the highest number of invitations issued in any Express Entry draw and the lowest CRS requirement.
All Provincial Nominee Programs in Canada have at least one stream aligned to the Express Entry. A provincial nomination adds 600 additional CRS score points to the total score. It guarantees them an invitation to apply for provincial nomination in the next Express Entry draw.
In the first quarter of 2020, the number of immigration candidates invited through Express Entry was 22600. The number has almost doubled in Q1 2021. This gives a lot of hope to Canada immigration candidates who wish to start a new life in Canada.
Are you planning to migrate to Canada in the near future? Then this is the right time to start your preparations. Talk to the Canada immigration consultants of CanApprove to know your options.
