Canada Invites 2,000 Candidates to Apply for PR through Express Entry
Canada recently issued invitations to 2,000 candidates to apply for permanent residence in its latest Express Entry draw held on August 3, 2022. Express Entry stands as one of Canada’s premier immigration pathways for skilled newcomers.
Invitations were extended to candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 533. Notably, this draw did not target any specific program, making candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) eligible for consideration.
The minimum CRS requirement for this draw was nine points lower compared to the previous draw on July 20. Additionally, 250 more candidates received invitations this time, contrasting with the previous draw which saw 1,750 candidates receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Since the resumption of all program draws on July 6, 5,250 Express Entry candidates have received ITAs. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) had suspended these draws for over 18 months, only inviting eligible candidate for permanent residence under the CEC or Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Canada aims to welcome 55,900 permanent residents through Express Entry in 2022, with a significant increase to 111,500 by the end of 2024.
Moreover, holders of expired Postgraduate Work Permits (PGWPs) can now apply for a new open work permit. Due to a pause in CEC draws between September 2021 and July 2022, many PGWP holders saw their work permits expire. Without CEC invitations, they couldn’t apply for an open work permit while awaiting IRCC’s permanent residence application processing. IRCC recently announced measures enabling holders of expired PGWPs to extend their open work permit status for an additional 18 months, aiding their transition to permanent residence.
Furthermore, distance learning is now provisionally eligible for Express Entry. International students who completed online Canadian educational programs between March 2020 and August 2022 can utilize these credentials as part of their CRS score. Although temporary, this measure acknowledges the challenges posed by the pandemic’s restrictions on education. Candidates already in the Express Entry pool may have received a letter from IRCC prompting them to update their education information to maintain their CRS score and eligibility.
Express Entry serves as the application management system for three Canadian immigration programs: CEC, FSWP, and FSTP. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates in the Express Entry pool are already eligible for at least one of these programs. Using a points-based system, the CRS ranks candidates’ profiles, with high-scoring candidates receiving ITAs to apply for permanent residence.
Upon submission, an IRCC Officer reviews the application, requests biometrics, and may conduct interviews or request additional documents. Upon approval, applicants receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), concluding with the landing process to officially become permanent residents of Canada.
