FIRST EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW OF APRIL!

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued invitations to 3,500 candidates on 12th April, 2023. This was an All program express entry program which includes Canadian experience class (CEC), Federal skilled worker program (FSWP) and Federal skilled trades program (FSTP). The Comprehensive Ranking system (CRS) was 486 points, candidates that clears the cut-off will qualify to receive an invitation to apply (ITA). 

The Immigration Levels Plan in November plans to give out 82,880 permanent residence visas this year that will go up to 114,000 in the year 2025. 

This March was the second highest month to issue the maximum number of ITAs after February, 2020. Around 21,667 ITAs were issued under 4 draws on 15th march 7,000 candidates were invited by IRCC with a minimum CRS score of 490 points which dropped to 484 in the next draw on 23rd March inviting 7,000 candidates.Third draw was held on 29th March which invited 7,000 candidates under the all program express entry with a minimum CRS score of 481 points which was the lowest score of them all. The first draw of this month was held on 1st March which only targeted the Provincial Nominee program. 

WHAT IS EXPRESS ENTRY PROGRAM? 

It is an application management program, which was started in 2015. It evaluates candidates credibility on a scale of Comprehensive Ranking system (CRS) which is based on several factors like age, education, occupation, experience, language ability and human factors. The higher the CRS score higher will be the possibility of the candidate to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) and ultimately receive Permanent residence in Canada. 

After receiving an ITA, the candidate has 60 days to submit their profile in the express entry pool. The IRCC officer assesses and then decides if the candidate is approved for a permanent residence or not. 

Extension issued for PGWP 

These large all program draws may be beneficial for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) eligible candidates, who have been raising concerns regarding their Post Graduation work permit (PGWP) expiry.  

The PGWP post graduation work permit is the work permit for international graduates who have studied from a post-secondary institution in canada. If a candidate’s PGWP expires before they receive an ITA, they are no longer eligible to apply for permanent residence. 

Between November 2022 and February 2023, a few CEC candidates received ITA because of the six week long pause in draws that was followed by four program specific draws which were not CEC candidate oriented.