Express Entry Draw and Express Entry Invitation Process

Express Entry Draws

By now, most people are familiar with the new way to apply for Permanent Residence in Canada, Express Entry. Introduced on January 1^st 2015, it was a major overhaul of the previous PR application system which consisted of people rushing to submit paper applications before their Federal Skilled Worker occupation category’s cap had been reached, or before the Canadian Experience Class application cap had been reached for the year. Express Entry meant the elimination of paper applications, the elimination of caps for all categories (Canadian Experience Class ‘CEC’, Federal Skilled Worker Program ‘FSWP’, and Federal Skilled Trades Program “FSTP’), and the elimination of long processing times with multiple requests for things like medicals and Right of Permanent Residence Fees.

Overall, the government seems satisfied with the Express Entry system’s results, with only a few small alterations to the program being made so far. On the other hand, many PR hopefuls feel cheated by the system, especially Canada’s international student community; who feel that the current point score distribution puts them at a disadvantage.

As it has been over 1 year since Express Entry was introduced, lets take a look at how the program faired in 2015, and what can be expected for 2016:

2015 Express Entry Statistics

Invitations

• Number of Invitation rounds in 2015: 23
• Number of invitations issued in 2015: 31,063
• Invitations issued to Canadian Experience Class: 11,228
• Invitations issued to Federal Skilled Workers: 13,214
• Invitations issued to Federal Skilled Trades: 2,516
• Invitations issued to Provincial Nominees: 4,105
• Percentage of Invitations issued to individuals with positive LMIA’s and Provincial Nominations: 60%

Express Entry Permanent Resident applications

• PR applications received through Express Entry: 37,424
• PR Applications in progress (as of January 3 2016): 15,246
• PR Applications approved: 14,058
• Number of individuals who landed as Permanent Residents under the Express Entry stream: Approximately 10,000

Processing Times

• Processing time: 80% of cases were processed in 6 months or less overall
• CEC: 80% of all applications where processed within 3.5 months
• FSW: 80 % of all applications were processed within 4.7 months
• FST: 80 % of all applications were processed within 4.9 months
• PNP: 80 % of all applications were processed within 3.8 months

Country of Residence- Top 5 countries

As promised, the Express Entry system has given a considerable advantage to those who have been living and working in Canada.

Countries of Citizenship- Top 5 Countries

What to expect in 2016

It seems like the Express Entry system has become slightly more ‘predictable’ in 2016, with the draws happening almost consistently every 2 weeks, on a Wednesday so far this year. So far 10,419 invitations have been issued, with the lowest point score so far this year being 453 points. On a positive note, the point score has not been above 600 points so far this year, meaning there has not yet been a draw exclusively consisting of invitations sent to individuals with positive LMIA’s and Provincial Nominations.

Forecasts made by Immigration, Refugee & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) imply that the CRS point score for invitations is expected to decrease, and the number of invitations issued increase in the near future. As the backlog of applications for 2014 is slowly cleared, this will open IRCC to being able to process more Express Entry applications. It was also made by clear by IRCC that Express Entry will ‘become the main source of applications to meet annual Immigration level targets’.

The Federal Immigration Minister John McCallum has spoken openly about the need to make International students a priority, many of whom have struggled due to the difficulty recent graduates face in finding permanent job offers from government approved employers. Although he has mentioned revisions need to be implemented in order to better recruit from this group, official changes in the Express Entry system have not yet been announced.

How do I know if I am a good candidate for Express Entry?

Individuals (and their spouses if applicable) are who create an Express Entry profile are scored out of 600 points, with an additional 600 points being awarded if the Principal Applicant had either a valid job offer (supported by a positive Labour Marketing Impact Assessment) or a Provincial Nomination. The following factors are considered when determining you eligibility:

• Age
• Education level
• Work Experience
• Language abilities
• Valid Job Offer
• Provincial Nomination
• Adaptability (i.e. relatives in Canada, transferability skills, etc.)

If you are interested in immigrating to Canada

Contact Akrami and Associates

If you are interested in immigrating to Canada, having a strong Express Entry profile is the first (and possibly most important) step in your PR application process, as without a strong profile and CRS point score, it is unlikely you will receive an Invitation to Apply for PR. Although it is possible to create an Express Entry Profile on your own, having the assistance of an Immigration Lawyer, Immigration Consultant, or Immigration Specialist can make all the difference when it comes to maximizing your point score, as well as your chances of receiving an ITA. Akrami & Associates has helped thousands of clients with their Canadian Immigration needs, and can help you reach your goal of Canadian PR by helping you to create the strongest Express Entry Profile, and Permanent Residence application possible. Contact us today for a consultation to determine your eligibility, and to begin your Canadian Immigration process today!

With Akrami and Associates there is always a way!!