Canadian government invites 668 candidates from this week’s Express Entry draw to apply for permanent residence

The Canadian government declared the results of the Express Entry draw of this week on March 20.

However, a total of 668 candidates received invitations on March 18.  Due to this week’s draw, the total number of candidates getting invitations so far this year through Canada’s Express Entry system has reached 19,368.

However, to get an invitation, a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is necessary. This week, candidates had a provincial nomination, which got their score to as high as 720 – an additional 600 points. Although the score is higher than the previous Express Entry draw, it only had candidates who had provincial nominations.

Also, the point level for the CRS score depends on various factors from the candidate’s age to their work experience – in a certain category and even how well they know English and/or French.

Due to the recent unfortunate events of Covid-19, Immigration Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) services have shown signs of slowing down. However, Canada is trying its level best to achieve its set of target goals for 2020.  And the majority of those are to get permanent residence through Canada’s Express Entry system. The system directs the candidates for Canada’s three Federal High Skilled economic immigration programs.

For this draw, only candidates with a CRS score of 720 and above and entered the profile of Express Entry pool before 02:04:06 UTC on March 19, 2020, got an ITA.

But other Express Entry candidates having a score below today’s cut-off ha various options to increase like improving language score to get a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence.  Additionally, the Express Entry candidates with a provincial nomination will get a bonus of 600 CRS points and a guarantee to receive ITA for Canadian permanent residence.

Many provinces like Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island have issued over 5000 invitations for candidates in the Express Entry-aligned provincial nominee programs.