The Comprehensive Ranking Score has played a substantial role in Express Entry draws.
The Express Entry system for the Federal Skilled Worker Class resumed in July 2022, and Canada began to invite skilled workers after a long pause that started in 2020. The Express Entry system mainly manages the three chief economic-class programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the CEC.
Furthermore, candidates in the Express Entry pool receive invitations to apply under the Comprehensive Ranking System.
As estimated, IRCC will issue an invite to the Express Entry pool’s candidate who fulfills the CRS cut-off requirement. Moreover, Express Entry draws have not been program-specific this year, with selected candidates from FSWP and the Canadian Experience Class.
Comprehensive Ranking Score in 2022
IRCC invited around 1,500 candidates under the pool of Express Entry with a minimum score requirement of 557 on July 6, 2022. Gradually, with the draws held the entire year, the size of each draw began to increase, with more invitations issued to candidates accounting for 4,750 ITAs. Eventually, the CRS draws also began to decline, reaching lower than 500.
With Canada managing the consequences of Covid-19, labor shortages kept increasing across Canada. Therefore, Canada began to believe that immigration was the major factor in balancing the Canadian labor shortage. Moreover, immigration continues to be the only source of combating the existing urgent economic requirements. This is also the main reason behind the resumption of Express Entry this year and the constant decline in CRS scores in 2022.
Predicting the future CRS scores by analyzing the previous scores
It might appear convenient and simple to calculate future CRS scores based on the previous scores. Over time, the CRS scores keep deteriorating, and as time passes away and the number of draws increases. However, it isn’t as easy to predict future CRS scores.
The main problem in using the previous scores to predict future CRS scores lies in the absence of a proper and clear pattern of the changes occurring in the CRS scores.
Also, per the observation, it is visible that each draw didn’t witness a consistent decline in CRS cut-offs.
Furthermore, according to Statistics analysis, the standard deviation for CRS scores under Express Entry was 21.6 (in points). Additionally, for Express Entry pool candidates, this might be a massive error as an estimate.
Another chief reason behind not using this technique to predict the future CRS score is the specific policy arrangements affecting the CRS scores.
Factors influencing the Comprehensive Ranking Score cut-offs
Essentially, IRCC has complete authority to determine and execute the CRS scores. Additionally, this implies that there is no compulsion for IRCC to follow any CRS patterns or trends. Moreover, IRCC has the choice to implement CRS scores based on the economic requirements of Canada.
For instance, looking back to February 2021, IRCC issued ITAs to 27,000 newcomers under the CEC, with the least CRS score of 75. This CRS score turns out to be the lowest in the history of Canada.
Another crucial factor is the increased CRS cut-offs with regard to already existing applications under process. For instance, Express Entry pool candidates having enhanced provincial nomination under a Provincial Nominee Program can benefit from 600 additional points using a provincial nomination.
Also, CEC candidates have two most essential factors, Canadian education and work experience in Canada. These factors can drastically raise the Express Entry cut-offs and thereby enhance the entire standard of the Express Entry pool.
CRS future
The implementation of changes in Bill C-19 in 2023 will create a visible impact on the CRS cut-offs. Bill C-19, passed in 2022 itself, enables the immigration minister to develop groups within the Express Entry pool and issue invitations to the group’s candidates. He can create groups based on the objectives of the policy.
IRCC has expressed a visible interest in executing this measure in 2023. He wishes to implement this measure to address the financial requirements. In order to do this, he will target specific in-demand occupations.
According to Canadian Immigration Levels Plan, Canada will be welcoming 203,220 newcomers under Express Entry’s programs between 2023 and 2025.
