Fourth Express Entry Draw in November 2017 Invites 2,750 Candidates

In the latest federal Express Entry draw, which took place on November 15, a total of 2,750 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 439 were invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence. This is the fourth Express Entry draw to take place in the month of November since Canada's Multi-Year Immigration Plan was announced by the federal government on November 1.

The most recent federal Express Entry draw was not limited to any specific program; candidates in all programs managed through Express Entry were in a position to receive an ITA. In order to qualify, individuals are first required to meet the eligibility criteria for one of the three immigration programs managed through the Express Entry system - the Federal Skilled Worker (FSWC), Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC).Once in the Express Entry pool, candidates are allocated a CRS score based on the following factors: civil status information, education, work experience, language ability, and other criteria. The allocated CRS score determines candidates' ranking in the pool. During periodic Express Entry draws held by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the highest-ranking candidates receive ITAs. With an ITA, candidates are able to submit an application for Canadian permanent resident status. Learn more about increasing CRS score and ranking.For more information on draws from the Express Entry pool that have taken place so far, consult this table. For an in-depth analysis of the November 15 draw, please refer to this article on CICNews.com.

Express Entry quick facts, from January 1, 2015 to November 15, 2017

1. Launch date: January 1, 2015
2. First draw from the pool: January 31, 2015
3. Most recent draw from the pool: November 15, 2017
4. Minimum CRS points required for selection in the Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC): 199 (May 26, 2017)
5. Minimum CRS points required for selection in the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC): 413 (May 31, 2017)
6. Minimum CRS points required for selection in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 413 (May 31, 2017)
7. Largest number of invitations to apply issued in any one draw: 3,923 (April 12, 2017)
8. Fewest invitations to apply issued in any one draw: 143 (May 26, 2017. Note: This draw invited candidates with a provincial nomination only.)
9. Largest decrease in CRS points required between two consecutive draws: 273 (from May 22, 2015 to June 12, 2015 draws)
10. Smallest decrease in CRS points required between two consecutive draws: 0 (on three occasions)
11. Longest gap between dates of two consecutive draws: 35 days (from April 17, 2015 to May 22, 2015 draws)
12. Shortest gap between dates of two consecutive draws: 5 days (from May 26 to May 31, 2017)
13. Total number of ITAs issued in 2015: 31,063
14. Total number of ITAs issued in 2016: 33,782
15. Total number of ITAs issued in 2017: 80,523
16. Total number of ITAs issued since system was launched: 145,368

Those with the highest scores are then invited to apply when the government of BC conducts one of its draws. It is important to note that all BC PNP categories managed under the SIRS require candidates to have a job offer from an employer in BC.

A portion of the candidates in the most recent draws were invited through an Express Entry-aligned sub-category. Those candidates are now in a position to apply for an 'enhanced' Provincial Nomination. A successful nomination results in applicants receiving 600 additional points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and an Invitation To Apply (ITA) at a later draw from the federal Express Entry pool. An invitation to apply under the BC PNP is not the same as the ITA issued at the federal Express Entry level.

Candidates under the BC PNP Skills Immigration sub-categories, who received invitations, will have their applications for permanent residence processed outside the Express Entry system.

The November 15 draw was conducted to invite candidates through the recently created BC Tech pilot. BC did not specify how many ITAs have been issued in the tech-only draw.

EXPRESS ENTRY BC - SKILLED WORKER

The Express Entry BC - Skilled Worker category is for international skilled workers who have post-secondary education or training and employment experience in a professional, management, technical, trade or other skilled occupation. Candidates must be eligible to enter the federal Express Entry pool. A successful application under this category results in the candidate receiving 600 points under the CRS and a subsequent ITA at the federal level.

EXPRESS ENTRY BC - INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE

International graduates who have graduated from a Canadian university or college within the past two years may be eligible to apply under the Express Entry BC - International Graduate category. Interestingly, this category is open to eligible graduates who graduated from a university or college in any location in Canada; it is not restricted to graduates from BC universities and colleges. This category is also aligned with the federal Express Entry system.

SKILLS IMMIGRATION - SKILLED WORKER

This base category is open to workers with post-secondary education or training and employment experience in a skilled occupation. A job offer is required.

SKILLS IMMIGRATION - INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE

This category is for international students who have graduated from a Canadian university or college within two years of applying to the BC PNP. While applicants do not necessarily need prior work experience, applicants are required to obtain a job offer from a B.C. employer.

SKILLS IMMIGRATION - ENTRY LEVEL AND SEMI-SKILLED

This category is open to candidates who may not be eligible for other Canadian immigration programs, as it allows certain non-skilled workers to apply for permanent residence. Candidates must work in an eligible occupation within the tourism/hospitality, long-haul trucking, or food processing industries, or in a NOC skill level C or D occupation in the Northeast Development Region of the province.

For applications submitted before November 23, 2017, from residents of Singapore, Tunisia or Fiji, IRCC says no IME is required.