The Government of Canada drew for the first round of Express Entry invitations in November 2018. In this draw, 3,900 Invitations to Apply (ITA) were issued and the cut-off score was 449 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This draw featured the same number of invitations as previous draws in October and September. The cut-off score, however, is seven points higher than the previous draw.
WHY IS THE CUT-OFF SCORE HIGHER?
The Government of Canada reached their goal for the number of immigrants to accept through the Express Entry system for 2018, which could explain why the cut-off score is higher. Now that the goal has been reached, they can be more selective about those applicants whom they extend an ITA to.
Another factor that may come into play is the date the draw took place on. Typically, Express Entry draws occur every 14 days. This draw took place 17 days after the previous draw (on October 29th), which means a larger number of applicants entered the pool, making this draw more competitive.
QUICK FACTS
This is the first Express Entry draw in the month of November
This draw features the highest number of ITA’s issued in 2018
A total of 78,100 Express Entry ITAs have been issued in 2018, which leaves IRCC less than 8,000 invitations away from the total number of Express Entry invitations extended in 2017
At the end of 2017, the government of Canada released a multi-year immigration plan. This plan aims to admit 242,100 immigrants through the Express Entry System within the next three years. The target for 2018 is 74,900 immigrants. With several large draws this early in the year, the government will likely achieve this goal.
On October 31st 2018, the Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration was released. This report contains an updated immigration plan for the years 2019-2021.
EXPRESS ENTRY PROGRAM
Immigration Canada uses a federal system, referred to as Express Entry, to manage applications for permanent residency from individuals in these programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or the Canadian Experience Class.
EXPRESS ENTRY PROFILE
Candidates must create an Express Entry profile online where they enter information about their skills, education, language ability, work experience, and more. Candidates are then assigned a CRS score out of 1200 points. Every two to three weeks, the Canadian government will conduct an Express Entry draw where applicants with the highest CRS score receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. Those who are extended an ITA have 90 days to complete an application.
THE COMPREHENSIVE RANKING SYSTEM
Prospective immigrants are then ranked in a point system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Points are given for each piece of information in your Express Entry profile. Some different factors that play into your CRS score include your age, level of education, English and French language proficiency, work experience, and connections to Canada (e.g. education, work experience, siblings, etc.). The number of points allotted for each factor differs if you have a spouse or common-law partner or not.
EXPRESS ENTRY TIPS
Our Services
Calver and Associates is a leading provider of Canadian Immigration services in Durham Region. We serve clients in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, and beyond. Our Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant has over 10 years of experience in Canadian Immigration law and over four years of experience serving those in the Oshawa area.
We can provide assistance with applications for both temporary and permanent residency in Canada. We handle applications for study permits, permanent residency, family class sponsorship, visitor visas, work permits, and Canadian citizenship. We also handle criminal inadmissibility cases by developing remedies for refusal.
