Second Express Entry draw of its kind invites candidates with a minimum score of 467

Canada organized the Canadian Experience Class-specific Express Entry draw for the first time since its inception in 2015. The Government of Canada has made all the details of the Express Entry draw publicly available. Invitations were distributed to 3,232 candidates who will now be able to apply for permanent residence. The invitations enabling candidates to apply for Canadian permanent residence were given to Canadian Experience Class program candidates who had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) of 467.

Organized on 23rd March 2020, this program-specific Express Entry draw has been held only twice. It specifically targets candidates belonging to the Canadian Experience Class. This category is available to foreign nationals who have at least one year of professional work experience in Canada. There are other criteria as well which candidates have to meet in order to qualify.

Canadian Experience Class as part of the Express Entry System

The Canadian Experience Class is among the three Federal High Skilled immigration programs that are controlled by the Express Entry system. The other programs are the Federal Skilled Trades Class and the Federal Skilled Worker Class. Most Express Entry draws usually include candidates belonging to all the three classes. However, this draw was an exception. The cut-off score of 467 marked a reduction of three points as compared to the lowest cut-off score (470) recorded in an all-program Express Entry draw this year.

The Express Entry draw organized on 18th March only considered candidates with provincial nominations, and led to the issuance of 668 invitations to apply (ITAs). Since Canada has set higher admission targets for the Federal High Skilled immigration categories in 2020 and 2021, the Immigration, Refugees Citizenship Canada (IRCC) might organize more frequent and bigger draws in the upcoming draws.

The Express Entry candidates are assigned a score under the CRS system on the basis of their age, educational qualifications, work experience, and language proficiency.