IRCC Invites 3,600 Express Entry Candidates to Apply for the Canada PR Visa

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts regular rounds of invitations to select eligible candidates to apply for the Canada PR Visa under the three federal Express Entry streams – Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. 

Invitations were extended to 3,600 candidates who scored 463 or more points in the Comprehensive Ranking system (CRS). The previous round of invitations – conducted on 20th August 2019 – had also invited 3,600 candidates. However, the minimum point requirement for that draw was 457 – six points lower than this round. 

One reason for this increased cut-off in the latest round could be that, within the 15 days that have lapsed since the previous round, the Express Entry pool was replenished with new, high-scoring profiles. In the event that two or more candidates have attained the minimum score, the IRCC makes a decision based on the date and time that the candidates’ profiles were submitted in the Express Entry pool. In this round, profiles submitted on or before 23rd August 2019 at 13:33:34 UTC.

The Express Entry Program is the most streamlined and direct pathway to permanent residency Canada. Aspirants must submit an online Expression of Interest (EOI) under the relevant stream, provided they can meet the eligibility requirements. This EOI remains valid for one year.

The CRS assesses information recorded in the EOI, attributes points and ranks candidates in the pool – based on human capital criteria, spouse qualifications (if applicable), skills transferability, and additional factors. Highest-ranking candidates receive Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

Invited candidates must submit a completed application package for the Canada PR Visa – including forms, supporting documents, and fees – to the IRCC, within 60 days of receiving the ITA. So far in 2019, the IRCC has extended 59,800 ITAs to suitable candidates.