Alberta issues invitations to Express Entry candidates who have scores as low as 300

The Canadian province of Alberta has released the details of the recent Alberta Express Entry Stream draws. The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) issued and distributed 201 invitations among candidates on 22nd January 2020. These candidates will be able to apply for a provincial nomination in order to get permanent residence in Alberta.

The candidates with the invitations had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of more than 350. Candidates with lesser scores were not invited. One week later, on 29th January, Alberta organized another draw and distributed 150 invitations amongst Express Entry candidates. However, the candidates who received the invitations even CRS scores as low as 300, indicating that the cut-off was reduced.

The Alberta Express Entry Stream grants permission to the AINP to pick eligible candidates who have already created a profile in the federal Express Entry system. The Express Entry system is responsible for the pool of candidates belonging to the Canadian immigration programs of the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

The Express Entry candidates, on receiving a provincial nomination from Alberta, will have extra 600 points added to their overall CRS score. This could effectively guarantee them an invitation-to-apply for permanent residence in Canada during the next federal Express Entry draw.

One of the benefits of the Alberta Express Entry Stream is that it gives a chance to Express Entry candidates with lower CRS scores to have a go at obtaining Canadian permanent residence. Candidates who want to be eligible for the Alberta Express Entry Stream must work in an industry that could benefit Alberta’s diversification interests and economic development. The AINP does not specify the list of eligible occupations. Candidates should have a job offer in Alberta to be eligible for a provincial nomination.