In particularly exciting news for Express Entry candidates, a record breaking sixth Express Entry draw was announced by Citizenship & Immigration Canada last week, which saw the Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) requirement drop to an all-time low of just 453. The announcement saw 1637 invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residency issued to successful Express Entry candidates.
Even more notably, this is the second week in a row that Canada’s Express Entry system has resulted in a record number of invitations to apply (known as ITAs) for Canadian permanent residence.
Good News for Express Entry Candidates
The good news for those applying for Express Entry is that the latest CRS requirement is a record low at just 453 – and from what we can see, the requirement seems to be on a downward spiral, going from 753 on February 27, to 481 on March 20, to this latest result (453) on the 27th. The question is, will it drop any lower? Unfortunately, we’ll just have to wait and see, but one thing’s for certain; these are exciting times for potential immigrants to Canada.
Curious about how Express Entry works? We’re going to explain more about the new electronic system below.
How Express Entry Works
If you’re interested in immigrating to Canada, and are eligible for one of the federal economic programs, you may submit your online profile via the Express Entry pool, where you’ll be ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System.
As long as your score is high enough to meet CRS requirements, it’s simply a waiting game until you are selected by the government of Canada (or provincial and territorial governments) in one of the Express Entry draws.
Only candidates with the highest CRS scores will be issued with an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residency, however, it will also depend on the CRS requirement for each draw (so last week’s was as low as 453).
Lowering the Bar
CIC regularly announces the lowest CRS score that resulted in the issue of an ITA, which we’ve been keeping a close eye on over at VisaPlace. So far, we’ve had a total of six draws in 2015, and the minimum CRS score is continuing to decrease.
Interestingly, Express Entry candidates are now being invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence without previous Canadian work experience, a job offer, or a Provincial Nomination under their belts.
Despite the CRS score being at an all-time low, we still recommend you take steps to ensure the highest possible CRS score. This will give you the best chance of success.
Are You Interested in Applying for Express Entry?
If you’re interested in applying for express entry, now is the best time to apply. At Visaplace, our job is to make you STAND OUT from the crowd. We will assess your case, highlight the best aspects of your application, and make sure that the government notices you!
Call us today for an assessment to see if you are eligible for Express Entry to Canada, or fill out our online assessment form.
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
