The recent Express Entry draw was held on August 3, 2022. Canada sent 2000 invitations to candidates to apply for Canadian PR. Express Entry dominates Canadian immigration for skilled workers because of its popularity. The invitations were issued based on the minimum score of 533. This draw wasn’t program-specific and so FSWP and CEC candidates had the eligibility to be invited.
Compared to the previous draw that was held on July 20, this draw had nine points less in its requirement. Also, the number of students who received invitations to apply had 250 more candidates with 1,750 candidates receiving ITA.
The all-program draws regained momentum on July 6; overall, 5, 250 candidates received ITAs since the draws were resumed. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada temporarily stopped the all-program for about eighteen months. Only those candidates who belonged to either CEC or PNP category, with eligibility for permanent residence were sent invitations.
Canada is ready to welcome 55,900 permanent residents under Express Entry in 2022. The number will likely increase up to 111,500 toward the end of 2024.
Expired PGWP holders can now apply for fresh open work permits
Express Entry CEC candidates temporarily stopped receiving invitations between September 2021 and July 2022. This caused several Post-Graduate Work Permit holders to witness their work permit’s expiry. Since CEC invitations had been discontinued, they couldn’t apply for a BOWP (Bridging Open Work Permit) while their PR application was yet to be processed.
IRCC recently announced new measures for the PGWP holders to extend open work permit status. They will get an additional 18 months for the work permit extension.
The candidates will get the chance to shift to permanent residency and also permit them to work while they wait for their application to get processed.
Distance learning made eligible, only temporarily, for Express Entry
International students have opted for distance learning or online studies because of the heavy restrictions due to the pandemic.
IRCC recently confirmed that students who have already acquired education through Canadian educational programs online from March 2020 to August 2022 can demonstrate their credentials as a crucial part of their CRS score.
When students create their online Express Entry profiles, they will be able to present their online education as part of their education in their profiles.
Since the pandemic has regained normalcy and the restrictions are firm, this new measure shall be treated as a temporary one.
Earlier, if a candidate completed more than half of his education program through online studies or distance learning he wasn’t considered eligible for CRS points.
However, you will attain educational credential points if you acquired a Canadian degree, certificate, or diploma and finished the study program from March 2020 to August 2022. The following conditions shall apply to acquire educational credential points:
- Suppose you completed your educational program fully through distance learning.
- If you completed the program completed from outside Canada.
- Or, you completed the education program by studying on a part-time basis.
IRCC must have already sent a letter to the candidates who already exist in the Express Entry pool notifying them to update their profiles. Candidates will need to specifically update their education details. The letter also stated the candidate’s requirement to answer three new questions in the Education History section. Leaving these questions unanswered will only reduce their CRS score.
The questions relate to individual study time, Canadian studies, and studies on a full-time basis to attain the credential. The letter’s release was followed by an IRCCs reminder to students regarding their profile update by August 2 to maintain their CRS score and retain their eligibility for the draws.
Express Entry
Express Entry is a system for managing online immigration applications and is classified into three Canadian economic immigration streams: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trade Program, and FSWP.
The candidates for Provincial Nominee Programs automatically become eligible for any one of the above immigration streams.
Express Entry functions on the Comprehensive Ranking System because it revolves around scores and points. Candidates who accomplish higher scores are invited to apply for Canada’s permanent residency.
Once the candidate applies for the PR, his application is reviewed by IRCC officials. They finalize their decision and call the candidates for Biometrics and interview. They might even ask the applicants for some more documents.
Approved and selected candidates then receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence. After they receive the COPR they complete their landing process and become permanent residents.
