Canada Surprises Express Entry Immigration Candidates

We have been witnessing irregular express entry rounds of invitations since March 18, 2020. Earlier, the express entry draws were scheduled on a bi-weekly basis. Now, after the announcement of special measures taken by the Canadian Government in the light of the coronavirus outbreak, the Express Entry system shows a random pattern of invitation rounds. The April 15 EE Draw invited candidates with provincial nominations. Interestingly, just a day after, another express entry draw has been held by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This was the 144th Express Entry Draw and the 11th for 2020. Also read: How to Move to Canada through Express Entry Program? On April 16, 2020, the IRCC has invited a total of 3,782 candidates staying in Canada to apply for Canada PR. These Invitations to Apply (ITAs) have been issued to candidates belonging to the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) of the Express Entry Immigration System. The lowest Comprehensive Ranking System score turned out to be the highlight of this draw. The minimum required CRS score was 455 points. This score is the lowest of all the four draws that specifically targeted CEC candidates. So far this year, the Express Entry System has successfully invited a total of 30,400 candidates to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence including the latest draw invitations.

Express Entry- Canadian Experience Class

Canadian Experience Class is one of the three immigration programs listed in the federal express entry system; the other two being Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades. Canada is one such country that recognizes the efforts of talented foreign workers who contribute to the economic development. Therefore, the government has a separate immigration program for people who are already working in Canada to let them become Canadian permanent residents. Foreign skilled workers with at least one year of Canadian work experience can apply for a permanent resident status through the CEC immigration program. The IRCC has held four consecutive draws inviting candidates from Candian Experience Class. This has happened for the first time in the history of Express Entry Draws. It can be said that the government is sending an ITA to those candidates who are already in Canada, concerning the restrictions placed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Application Process

The applications for the Canadian Experience Class are processed through the Canada Express Entry system. A candidate who fulfills the requirements of the express entry can submit his/her profile in the Express Entry pool. This profile acts as an Expression of Interest shown by the candidate for the permanent residency in Canada. Once a profile is submitted, the candidate is given a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score which is awarded based on certain human capital factors. This CRS score is eventually the determining factor for securing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

Processing Fee Increased w.e.f April 30, 2020

As per the latest update, the IRCC has revised the processing fee for foreign nationals who want to become Candian Permanent Residents. However, applications that would be received before April 30, 2020, will be processed with the current fee structure. Thus, we strongly recommend candidates to apply for Canada PR before this date and save your money as the revised fee is increased by nearly 50%. To know more about the processing fee, read here.