June 13, 2018 – Canada immigration authorities have conducted the largest Express Entry draw in over a year and the sixth largest ever, issuing Invitations to Apply to 3,750 candidates across all programs.
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 451, higher than the previous all-program draw.
The increase is due to the previous draw being program-specific, meaning only Federal Skilled Trades and Provincial Nomination candidates were invited. This meant an accumulation of Federal Skilled Worker and Canada Experience Class candidates in the Express Entry Pool.
This was the 12th round of invitations under Express Entry in 2018 and 92nd overall.
What is the Largest Express Entry Draw of 2018 So Far?
Note: Draw 11 was a program-specific draw
It was also the largest draw since immigration authorities changed the way they ranked candidates.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada can now set an exact number of invitations to be issued. Where the number of candidates with the lowest score surpasses the number of invitations permitted, authorities give priority to the profiles that have been in the Express Entry pool the longest.
Thus, if more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles. The highest number of candidates invited in a single draw since the change is 3,750.
What is the Lowest Minimum CRS Score of 2018?
| Date | CRS Score |
| 10-Jan | 446 |
| 24-Jan | 444 |
| 07-Feb | 442 |
| 21-Feb | 442 |
| 14-Mar | 456 |
| 26-Mar | 446 |
| 11-Apr | 444 |
| 25-Apr | 441 |
| 09-May | 441 |
| 23-May | 440 |
| 13-Jun | 451 |
Note: Draw 11 was a program-specific draw
Why Did Express Entry Change?
The new format allows immigration officials greater control to implement a more fine-tuned method for choosing an exact number of candidates to be issued an ITA. The previous system did not allow this.
Despite the latest change, the latest draw continued the trend under the Express Entry System where the lowest CRS score was well below 500. It was the 24th draw since immigration authorities substantially modified the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System on June 6, 2017.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an immigration system implemented by Canadian immigration authorities (IRCC) on January 1, 2015 which manages skilled worker applications under Federal Economic programs. This includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Skilled Trades Program the Canada Experience Class and parts of the Provincial Nomination Programs.
Stakeholders expect to see near 30 draws and up to 70,000 invitations issued in 2018, with a majority of draws featuring CRS scores below 450 to enable Canadian immigration authorities to meet targeted annual immigration levels for 2018.
Read More
2018 Express Entry First Quarter Review
Canada Immigration: 2017 Year in Review
2017 Express Entry 9-Month Review
2017 Express Entry 6-Month Review
2016 Express Entry Year-End report
What Should Employers Do Next?
Employers are encouraged to consider securing an LMIA or nomination under provincial nomination programs (PNPs) to ensure long term retention of employees.
We provide Canadian employers with unparalleled immigration legal services and recruitment of foreign nationals through skilledworker.com. We bring approved candidates to Canada in the shortest time possible. Employers in a wide range of industries can directly benefit from our unique position as one of Canada’s leading online immigration firms in the industry to meet both their recruitment and immigration requirements.
Interested employers wishing to seek our assistance are invited to contact us here for further information.
What Should Candidates Do Next?
It is expected that the majority of applicants to be issued (ITA’s) under Canada’s Express Entry Immigration system in 2018 will require a CRS score well under 450 points, enabling a significant number of applicants to receive permanent admission to Canada without a job offer or nomination under a provincial immigration program. However, securing an approved offer of employment is highly recommended. Watch our Facebook livestream video on how to find jobs in Canada from overseas.
Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free online evaluation. We will provide you with your evaluation results within 1-2 business days.
Resources:
- Immigration.ca News Articles – A daily news source outlining the latest developments in immigration, employment and the economy with commentaries by Attorney Colin Singer.
- At skilledworker.com we are dedicated to developing long-term strategic alliances with client companies and candidates alike. We strictly adhere to our guiding principles of honesty, integrity and confidentiality.
Colin R. Singer is immigration counsel for www.immigration.ca and Managing Partner of skilledworker.com. He is one of Canada’s foremost senior corporate immigration attorneys. Colin is internationally recognized as an experienced and recommended authority on Canadian immigration and foreign recruitment. In addition to being licensed human resources professional, he is a licensed Canadian lawyer in good standing with the Quebec Law Society for more than 25 years and is authorized by the Canadian government in all immigration matters.
Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.
Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.
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