IRCC invited candidates with 1,500 ITAs to apply for permanent residency status. The minimum cut-off score for the candidates was 557 under the Comprehensive Ranking System.
With the Express Entry draws returning to normal, candidates can start applying for permanent residency status depending on their eligibility under all programs.
Before IRCC decided to pause all program draws, there was a last all-program draw in which 5,000 ITAs were sent to Express Entry candidates. The draws stopped from December 2020 onwards, but CEC and PNP candidates continued to benefit from the program-specific draws.
However, even the CEC applications had to be paused from September 2021 onwards, as they could not meet the expected standard processing of six months.
It will be much better if candidates enter the Express Entry pool.
Let’s have a look at the critical points for Express Entry’s new applicants:
The processing period of six months for Express Entry’s new applicants
IRCC’s briefing notes have validated inventory applications of 50,000 individuals that got cleared from September 2021 to February 2022. According to the signed document on March 31, 2022, the Express Entry catalog is adequate to fulfill the 2022 immigration level goals. However, to achieve 2023’s immigration goals, it will have to send invitations between July and September.
According to the Immigration Levels Plan’s target, IRCC has an objective to receive 55,900 candidates under Express Entry, without PNP’s, in 2022.
By 2023, IRCC plans to welcome 75,750 candidates; in 2024, the immigration target will increase to 111,500. To fulfill the 2024 target, IRCC will have to substantially enhance the draw’s size. The introduction of the multi-immigration levels plan could modify and change the aims and objectives. The changes might take place by November 1.
The draws are likely to change in alignment with the targets of the Immigration levels. The primary factors that will influence and determine the draw sizes will be IRCC’s potential to retain its standard of immigration goals as well as the requirements for immigrants.
Does Canada need more immigrants?
The Canadian labor market requirements have hinted at the significance of newcomers in Canada. The labor force in Canada has declined heavily only because of two main factors: the first being the people turning 55 years old while the elderly people decided to leave the workforce due to old age. Secondly, the number of people seeking jobs also declined in Canada. Over 1 million job vacancies emerged because of the rising demand for summer jobs.
Reportedly, 9 million individuals will also attain their retirement age soon. As reported by the RBC survey, Canadians who will be retiring early amount to one-third of them, while at least three in one individual, who is about to reach their retirement age, is getting the retirement date modified. They are getting the date changed because of the pandemic.
The new generation in Canada needs to replace the people who are retiring. But, as reported in 2020, the lower fertility rate of 1.4 children (per woman) is not sufficient to do so. The current essential fertility rate requirement is 2.1 babies per woman.
Canada aims to increase its immigration by 1 percent each year, and it is only through this increase in immigration level that the labor shortage can be met. The number of immigrants who are in the majority concern the economic class. Before 2022, Express Entry played a significant role as the primary immigration pathway.
By the time 2024 arrives, Express entry will resume its prior position as the main pathway.
Introducing new reforms
A new bill was recently passed, and it talked about how the immigration minister, Sean Fraser, could send invitations to candidates based on economic targets. He further explained that if Express Entry invitations are sent based on an economic goal, then there are greater chances of increasing the retention rates. However, there’s only a small amount of information about these draws, which could depend on an applicant’s language proficiency, occupation, and region.
Role of PNP’s in your score
Being present in an Express Entry pool can widen your chances of receiving invitations for Canadian immigration. It can further increase your chances of receiving a Provincial Nomination as well. Receiving a Provincial Nomination will only enhance your CRS score with an additional 600 points. Once you receive the extra points, you will have a chance to remain at the top of the Express Entry.
Provinces in Canada will also provide a chance for candidates with a score below 400 to apply for a Provincial Nomination. The province of Alberta is famous for sending invitations to candidates scoring lower points, say 300.
The validity of your Express Entry profile is up to twelve months. You might utilize these twelve months to improve your CRS score and boost your chances of receiving an ITA.
The Express Entry doesn’t provide any guarantee in Canadian immigration. Still, it indeed enhances your chances of achieving permanent residency status within six months after you submit your application.
You will need to check your Express Entry eligibility before planning.
