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New Express Entry Rules in Effect as of November 19, 2016

Henry Chang | November 21, 2016 in Canadian Immigration | Comments (0)

Introduction

On January 1, 2015, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, formerly known as Citizenship and Immigration Canada, implemented its Express Entry System.  Express Entry applies to the following permanent resident categories:

  • The Federal Skilled Worker (“FSW”) Class;
  • The Canadian Experience Class (“CEC”);
  • The Federal Skilled Trades (“FST”) Class; and
  • Members of the Provincial Nominee Class who fall within the Express Entry Stream of a Provincial Nominee Program (“PNP”).

Under Express Entry, applicants who wish to be considered under any of the above permanent resident categories must now submit an online profile, to indicate their interest in immigrating to Canada.  Those who meet the applicable eligibility requirements of at least one of the classes described above (i.e. FSW, CEC, FST, or PNP (Express Entry Stream) are accepted into a special pool of candidates (the “Express Entry Pool”).

Of course, acceptance into the Express Entry Pool does not guarantee that a particular candidate will receive an Invitation to Apply (“ITA”) for permanent residence.  Instead, candidates in the Express Entry Pool are ranked against each other using a point-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (“CRS”).  The candidates with the highest CRS score are periodically selected from the Express Entry Pool and sent an ITA.

On October 21, 2016, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration issued revised Ministerial Instructions (the “2016 Amendments”), which made significant changes to the existing Express Entry System.  These changes came into effect on November 19, 2016.

Changes to Qualifying Offers of Arranged Employment

Under the prior Express Entry System, a foreign national with a “qualifying offer of arranged employment” received 600 CRS points, more than enough to guarantee that they would immediately receive an ITA.  However, only a permanent, full-time offer of employment that was based on a Labour Market Impact Assessment (“LMIA”) issued by Employment and Social Development Canada would qualify.

Under the 2016 Amendments, certain LMIA-exempt work permits will also count as a qualifying offer of arranged employment.  However, the permanent offer of employment must be made by the employer listed on the work permit, the foreign national must be working for that employer, and the foreign worker must have accumulated at least one continuous year of full-time work experience (or the equivalent in part-time work) with that employer.

To be eligible, the LMIA-exempt work permit must have been issued in the circumstances described in Subsection 204(a) [pursuant to an international agreement between Canada and one or more countries, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement], Subsection 204(c) [an agreement entered into by the Minister with a province or group of provinces (i.e. provincial nominees)], or Section 205 [i.e. significant benefit to Canada, intra-company transferees, reciprocal employment, etc.] of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (“IRPR”).

Unfortunately, the number of CRS points that will be awarded for having a qualifying offer of arranged employment has also dropped.  If the offer of employment is for an occupation contained in Major Group 00 [Senior Management Occupations] of the National Occupational Classification (“NOC”), 200 CRS points are awarded.  In all other occupations (NOC 0 A, or B), 50 CRS points are awarded.

This will still benefit holders of the above LMIA-exempt work permits, who would not have previously received any CRS points for having a qualifying offer of arranged employment.  However, the drop in CRS points will severely disadvantage foreign nationals holding LMIA-based work permits, who would have received 600 CRS points under the previous Express Entry System; most will now receive only 50 CRS points.

CRS Points for Canadian Educational Credentials

In response to allegations that the previous Express Entry system disadvantaged international students graduating from Canadian post-secondary educational institutions, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration had expressed a willingness to make it easier for them.  The 2016 Amendments attempt to address this problem by awarding additional CRS points for Canadian educational credentials.

The previous Express Entry System already offered CRS points for level of education but it treated Canadian and foreign educational credentials the same.  However, in order to obtain CRS points for a foreign educational credential, the foreign national would require an Educational Credential Assessment, confirming that the foreign credential was equivalent to a Canadian credential.

Under the 2016 Amendments, foreign nationals with Canadian educational credentials will now receive additional CRS points as follows:

  • 15 points for an eligible credential from a one-year or two-year post-secondary program in Canada; and
  • 30 points, for:
    • An eligible credential from a post-secondary program of three years or more;
    • An eligible credential from a university-level program at the master’s level or at the level of an entry-to-practice professional degree (i.e. a law degree, engineering degree, etc.) for an occupation listed in the NOC at Skill Level A, for which licensing by a provincial regulatory body is required; or
    • An eligible credential from a university-level program at a doctoral level.

The term “eligible credential” is defined as follows:

  • A degree, diploma, certificate or trade or apprenticeship credential from a Canadian public post-secondary institution or from a Canadian private post-secondary institution that operated under the same rules and regulations as a Canadian public post-secondary institution;
  • A diplôme d’études professionnelles or an attestation de spécialisation professionnelle earned through a program of study of at least 900 hours from a private secondary or post-secondary institution in Quebec; or
  • A Bachelor’s, Master’s or doctoral degree from a Canadian private post-secondary institution, if a provincial statute authorizes that institution to confer that credential.

However, the following are not considered eligible credentials:

  • Credentials obtained in a study or training program in which the study of English or French as a second language amounted to more than half of the program;
  • Credentials obtained in a study or training program in which distance learning amounted to more than half of the program; or
  • Credentials obtained in a study or training program while receiving a scholarship or fellowship that stipulated that the recipient return to their home country to apply the knowledge and skills gained.

CRS points are only awarded for the highest level of education and only if the following requirements are satisfied:

  • For the purpose of obtaining the credential, the foreign national studied in Canada at a Canadian educational institution;
  • For the purpose of obtaining the credential, the foreign national was enrolled in full-time study or training for at least eight months; and
  • For the purpose of obtaining the credential, the foreign national was physically present in Canada for at least eight months.

Maximum CRS Points for Additional Factors

The 2016 Amendments define the phrase ”additional factors” to include:

  • Qualifying offers of arranged employment;
  • A nomination under the Express Entry Stream of a PNP; and
  • Canadian educational credentials.

They also make clear that the maximum number of CRS points that may be awarded for these additional factors is 600 points.  So a foreign national who has already received 600 CRS points for being nominated under the Express Entry Stream of a PNP cannot also receive CRS points for a qualifying offer of arranged employment or for Canadian educational credentials.

Changes to the Deadline for Responding to an ITA

The 2016 Amendments increase the period of time that applicants will have to respond to an ITA.  Under the previous Express Entry System, applicants had only 60 days to complete an online Application for Permanent Residence (“APR”).  As of November 19, 2016, they now have 90 days to submit an online APR after receiving an ITA.

Miscellaneous Modifications

The 2016 Amendments also made several miscellaneous changes for the purposes of “consistently and clarity.”  For example, they now clarify that:

  • The validity period of a spouse’s language test results is two years;
  • In order to receive CRS points for either Canadian or foreign work experience, wages must have been paid or a commission must have been earned;
  • Candidates must also meet the requirements of at least one of the federal economic programs subject to Express Entry to satisfy the minimum entry criteria; and
  • If a candidate claims CRS points for a job offer, officers have the authority to assess whether the candidate is able to perform and is likely to accept and carry out this arranged employment.

Treatment of Applicants in the Express Entry Pool

The last round of ITAs before the effective date of the 2016 Amendments took place on November 16, 2016.  A total of 2,427 ITAs were issued; the CRS score of the lowest ranked candidate who received an ITA was 470 points.  These candidates will continue to be assessed under the prior Express Entry System.

The CRS scores of candidates who were already in the Express Entry Pool prior to November 19, 2016, will be automatically updated to reflect the 2016 Amendments before the next round of ITAs takes place.  However, these candidates will still need to update their Express Entry profiles and answer new questions before additional CRS points will be awarded for Canadian study credentials or for having a qualifying offer of arranged employment.


Update on Express Entry

Henry Chang | October 16, 2016 in Canadian Immigration | Comments (0)

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Since Express Entry began on January 1, 2015, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC”), formerly known as Citizenship and Immigration Canada, has issued several rounds of Invitations to Apply (“ITAs”).  An ITA allows a foreign national to submit their application for permanent residence under one of the following categories:

  • The Federal Skilled Worker (“FSW”) Class;
  • The Canadian Experience Class (“CEC”);
  • The Federal Skilled Trades (“FST”) Class; or
  • Members of the Provincial Nominee Class who fall within the Express Entry Stream of a Provincial Nominee Program (“PNP”).

Express Entry applicants are selected to receive an ITA based on how many points they are assigned under the Comprehensive Ranking System (“CRS”).

As of the date of this article, CIC has issued a total of 44 rounds of ITAs.  A summary of these Express Entry rounds appears below:

  • In Round #1 (January 31, 2015), IRCC issued 779 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 886 CRS points.
  • In Round #2 (February 7, 2015), IRCC issued 779 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 818 CRS points.
  • In Round #3 (February 20, 2015), IRCC issued 849 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 808 CRS points.
  • In Round #4 (February 27, 2015), IRCC issued 1187 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 735 CRS points.
  • In Round #5 (March 20, 2015), IRCC issued 1620 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 481 CRS points.
  • In Round #6 (March 27, 2015), IRCC issued 1637 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
  • In Round #7 (April 10, 2015), IRCC issued 925 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 469 CRS points.
  • In Round #8 (April 17, 2015), IRCC issued 715 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
  • In Round #9 (May 22, 2015), IRCC issued 1361 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 755 CRS points.
  • In Round #10 (June 12, 2015), IRCC issued 1501 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 482 CRS points.
  • In Round #11 (June 26, 2015), IRCC issued 1575 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 469 CRS points.
  • In Round #12 (July 10, 2015), IRCC issued 1516 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 463 CRS points.
  • In Round #13 (July 17, 2015), IRCC issued 1581 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 451 CRS points.
  • In Round #14 (August 7, 2015), IRCC issued 1402 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 471 CRS points.
  • In Round #15 (August 21, 2015), IRCC issued 1523 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 456 CRS points.
  • In Round #16 (September 8, 2015), IRCC issued 1517 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 459 CRS points.
  • In Round #17 (September 18, 2015), IRCC issued 1545 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 450 CRS points.
  • In Round #18 (October 2, 2015), IRCC issued 1530 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 450 CRS points.
  • In Round #19 (October 23, 2015), IRCC issued 1502 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 489 CRS points.
  • In Round #20 (November 13, 2015), IRCC issued 1506 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 484 CRS points.
  • In Round #21 (November 27, 2015), IRCC issued 1559 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 472 CRS points.
  • In Round #22 (December 4, 2015), IRCC issued 1451 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 461 CRS points.
  • In Round #23 (December 18, 2015), IRCC issued 1503 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 460 CRS points.
  • In Round #24 (January 6, 2016), IRCC issued 1463 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 461 CRS points.
  • In Round #25 (January 13, 2016), IRCC issued 1518 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
  • In Round #26 (January 27, 2016), IRCC issued 1468 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 457 CRS points.
  • In Round #27 (February 10, 2016), IRCC issued 1505 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 459 CRS points.
  • In Round #28 (February 24, 2016), IRCC issued 1484 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
  • In Round #29 (March 9, 2016), IRCC issued 1013 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 473 CRS points.
  • In Round #30 (March 23, 2016), IRCC issued 1014 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 470 CRS points.
  • In Round #31 (April 6, 2016), IRCC issued 954 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 470 CRS points.
  • In Round #32 (April 20, 2016), IRCC issued 1018 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 468 CRS points.
  • In Round #33 (May 6, 2016), IRCC issued 799 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 534 CRS points.
  • In Round #34 (May 18, 2016), IRCC issued 763 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 484 CRS points.
  • In Round #35 (June 1, 2016), IRCC issued 762 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 483 CRS points.
  • In Round #36 (June 15, 2016), IRCC issued 752 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 488 CRS points.
  • In Round #37 (June 29, 2016), IRCC issued 773 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 482 CRS points.
  • In Round #38 (July 13, 2016), IRCC issued 747 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 482 CRS points.
  • In Round #39 (July 27, 2016), IRCC issued 755 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 488 CRS points.
  • In Round #40 (August 10, 2016), IRCC issued 754 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 490 CRS points.
  • In Round #41 (August 24, 2016), IRCC issued 750 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 538 CRS points.
  • In Round #42 (September 7, 2016), IRCC issued 1,000 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 491 CRS points.
  • In Round #43 (September 21, 2016), IRCC issued 1,288 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 483 CRS points.
  • In Round #44 (October 12, 2016), IRCC issued 1,518 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 484 CRS points.

The lowest minimum CRS score that was previously eligible to receive an ITA was 450 points, which occurred in rounds 17 and 18.  However, the minimum CRS score subsequently rose to over 480 points in rounds 19 and 20.

This was still a low enough score for a candidate to be selected without a Labour Market Impact Assessment or a nomination under a provincial nominee program Express Entry stream.  However, many applicants were hoping that the minimum CRS score would continue to drop before the end of 2015; this clearly did not occur.

Fortunately, the minimum CRS score has dropped several times during 2016, to levels approaching rounds 19 and 20.  In rounds 25 and 28, the minimum CRS score dropped to as low as 453 points.  That said, the minimum CRS score also rose to as high as 538 points in round 41.  In the most recent round on October 12, 2016, the minimum CRS score was 484 points.


Update on Express Entry

Henry Chang | June 12, 2016 in Canadian Immigration | Comments (0)

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Since Express Entry began on January 1, 2015, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”) has issued several rounds of Invitations to Apply (“ITAs”).  An ITA allows a foreign national to submit their application for permanent residence under one of the following categories:

  • The Federal Skilled Worker (“FSW”) Class;
  • The Canadian Experience Class (“CEC”);
  • The Federal Skilled Trades (“FST”) Class; or
  • Members of the Provincial Nominee Class who fall within the Express Entry Stream of a Provincial Nominee Program (“PNP”).

Express Entry applicants are selected to receive an ITA based on how many points they are assigned under the Comprehensive Ranking System (“CRS”).

As of the date of this article, CIC has issued a total of 35 rounds of ITAs.  A summary of these Express Entry rounds appears below:

  • In Round #1 (January 31, 2015), CIC issued 779 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 886 CRS points.
  • In Round #2 (February 7, 2015), CIC issued 779 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 818 CRS points.
  • In Round #3 (February 20, 2015), CIC issued 849 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 808 CRS points.
  • In Round #4 (February 27, 2015), CIC issued 1187 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 735 CRS points.
  • In Round #5 (March 20, 2015), CIC issued 1620 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 481 CRS points.
  • In Round #6 (March 27, 2015), CIC issued 1637 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
  • In Round #7 (April 10, 2015), CIC issued 925 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 469 CRS points.
  • In Round #8 (April 17, 2015), CIC issued 715 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
  • In Round #9 (May 22, 2015), CIC issued 1361 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 755 CRS points.
  • In Round #10 (June 12, 2015), CIC issued 1501 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 482 CRS points.
  • In Round #11 (June 26, 2015), CIC issued 1575 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 469 CRS points.
  • In Round #12 (July 10, 2015), CIC issued 1516 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 463 CRS points.
  • In Round #13 (July 17, 2015), CIC issued 1581 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 451 CRS points.
  • In Round #14 (August 7, 2015), CIC issued 1402 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 471 CRS points.
  • In Round #15 (August 21, 2015), CIC issued 1523 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 456 CRS points.
  • In Round #16 (September 8, 2015), CIC issued 1517 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 459 CRS points.
  • In Round #17 (September 18, 2015), CIC issued 1545 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 450 CRS points.
  • In Round #18 (October 2, 2015), CIC issued 1530 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 450 CRS points.
  • In Round #19 (October 23, 2015), CIC issued 1502 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 489 CRS points.
  • In Round #20 (November 13, 2015), CIC issued 1506 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 484 CRS points.
  • In Round #21 (November 27, 2015), CIC issued 1559 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 472 CRS points.
  • In Round #22 (December 4, 2015), CIC issued 1451 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 461 CRS points.
  • In Round #23 (December 18, 2015), CIC issued 1503 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 460 CRS points.
  • In Round #24 (January 6, 2016), CIC issued 1463 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 461 CRS points.
  • In Round #25 (January 13, 2016), CIC issued 1518 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
  • In Round #26 (January 27, 2016), CIC issued 1468 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 457 CRS points.
  • In Round #27 (February 10, 2016), CIC issued 1505 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 459 CRS points.
  • In Round #28 (February 24, 2016), CIC issued 1484 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
  • In Round #29 (March 9, 2016), CIC issued 1013 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 473 CRS points.
  • In Round #30 (March 23, 2016), CIC issued 1014 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 470 CRS points.
  • In Round #31 (April 6, 2016), CIC issued 954 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 470 CRS points.
  • In Round #32 (April 20, 2016), CIC issued 1018 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 468 CRS points.
  • In Round #33 (May 6, 2016), CIC issued 799 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 534 CRS points.
  • In Round #34 (May 18, 2016), CIC issued 763 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 484 CRS points.
  • In Round #35 (June 1, 2016), CIC issued 762 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 483 CRS points

The lowest minimum CRS score that was previously eligible to receive an ITA was 450 points, which occurred in rounds 17 and 18.  However, the minimum CRS score subsequently rose to over 480 points in rounds 19 and 20.

This was still a low enough score for a candidate to be selected without a Labour Market Impact Assessment or a nomination under a provincial nominee program Express Entry stream.  However, many applicants were hoping that the minimum CRS score would continue to drop before the end of 2015; this clearly did not occur.

Fortunately, the minimum CRS score has dropped several times during 2016, to levels approaching rounds 19 and 20.  In rounds 25 and 28, the minimum CRS score dropped to as low as 453 points.  That said, the minimum CRS score also rose to as high as 534 points in round 33.  In the most recent round on June 1, 2016, the minimum CRS score was 483 points.


Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Announces Temporary Pause on High Volume Streams

Henry Chang | May 15, 2016 in Canadian Immigration | Comments (0)

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On May 9, 2016, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (“OINP”) announced that the Province of Ontario had received a sufficient number of OINP applications to meet its 2016 federal allocation.  As a result, it has placed a temporary pause on the intake of applications under what it refers to as “select, high-volume” OINP streams.  However, it claims that other lower-volume OINP streams continue to be available.

The OINP announcement confirms the following facts:

The announcement also states that the OINP expects to receive its 2017 nomination allocation from the federal government before the end of November 2016, and that it will be in a position to accept applications for some streams in six months.

Update on Express Entry

Henry Chang | February 15, 2016 in Canadian Immigration | Comments (0)

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Since Express Entry began on January 1, 2015, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”) has issued several rounds of Invitations to Apply (“ITAs”).  An ITA allows a foreign national to submit their application for permanent residence under one of the following categories:

  • The Federal Skilled Worker (“FSW”) Class;
  • The Canadian Experience Class (“CEC”);
  • The Federal Skilled Trades (“FST”) Class; or
  • Members of the Provincial Nominee Class who fall within the Express Entry Stream of a Provincial Nominee Program (“PNP”).

Express Entry applicants are selected to receive an ITA based on how many points they are assigned under the Comprehensive Ranking System (“CRS”).

As of the date of this article, CIC has issued a total of 26 rounds of ITAs.  A summary of these Express Entry rounds appears below:

  • In Round #1 (January 31, 2015), CIC issued 779 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 886 CRS points.
  • In Round #2 (February 7, 2015), CIC issued 779 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 818 CRS points.
  • In Round #3 (February 20, 2015), CIC issued 849 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 808 CRS points.
  • In Round #4 (February 27, 2015), CIC issued 1187 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 735 CRS points.
  • In Round #5 (March 20, 2015), CIC issued 1620 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 481 CRS points.
  • In Round #6 (March 27, 2015), CIC issued 1637 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
  • In Round #7 (April 10, 2015), CIC issued 925 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 469 CRS points.
  • In Round #8 (April 17, 2015), CIC issued 715 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
  • In Round #9 (May 22, 2015), CIC issued 1361 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 755 CRS points.
  • In Round #10 (June 12, 2015), CIC issued 1501 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 482 CRS points.
  • In Round #11 (June 26, 2015), CIC issued 1575 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 469 CRS points.
  • In Round #12 (July 10, 2015), CIC issued 1516 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 463 CRS points.
  • In Round #13 (July 17, 2015), CIC issued 1581 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 451 CRS points.
  • In Round #14 (August 7, 2015), CIC issued 1402 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 471 CRS points.
  • In Round #15 (August 21, 2015), CIC issued 1523 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 456 CRS points.
  • In Round #16 (September 8, 2015), CIC issued 1517 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 459 CRS points.
  • In Round #17 (September 18, 2015), CIC issued 1545 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 450 CRS points.
  • In Round #18 (October 2, 2015), CIC issued 1530 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 450 CRS points.
  • In Round #19 (October 23, 2015), CIC issued 1502 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 489 CRS points.
  • In Round #20 (November 13, 2015), CIC issued 1506 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 484 CRS points.
  • In Round #21 (November 27, 2015), CIC issued 1559 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 472 CRS points.
  • In Round #22 (December 4, 2015), CIC issued 1451 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 461 CRS points.
  • In Round #23 (December 18, 2015), CIC issued 1503 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 460 CRS points.
  • In Round #24 (January 6, 2016), CIC issued 1463 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 461 CRS points.
  • In Round #25 (January 13, 2016), CIC issued 1518 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
  • In Round #26 (January 27, 2016), CIC issued 1468 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 457 CRS points.

The lowest minimum CRS score that was previously eligible to receive an ITA was 450 points, which occurred in rounds 17 and 18.  However, the minimum CRS score subsequently rose to over 480 in the rounds 19 and 20.

This was still a low enough score for a candidate to be selected without a Labour Market Impact Assessment or a nomination under a provincial nominee program Express Entry stream.  However, many applicants were hoping that the minimum CRS score would continue to drop before the end of 2015; this clearly did not occur.

Fortunately, the minimum CRS score appears to be dropping again.  The last two rounds (rounds 25 and 26) have required minimum CRS scores (453 points and 457 points) that have approached the levels used in rounds 17 and 18.


Update on Express Entry

Henry Chang | December 6, 2015 in Canadian Immigration | Comments (0)

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Since Express Entry began on January 1, 2015, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”) has issued several rounds of Invitations to Apply (“ITAs”).  An ITA allows a foreign national to submit their application for permanent residence under one of the following categories:

  • The Federal Skilled Worker (“FSW”) Class;
  • The Canadian Experience Class (“CEC”);
  • The Federal Skilled Trades (“FST”) Class; or
  • Members of the Provincial Nominee Class who fall within the Express Entry Stream of a Provincial Nominee Program (“PNP”).

Express Entry applicants are selected to receive an ITA based on how many points they are assigned under the Comprehensive Ranking System (“CRS”).

As of the date of this article, CIC has issued  a total of 20 rounds of ITAs.  A summary of these Express Entry rounds appears below:

  • In Round #1 (January 31, 2015), CIC issued 779 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 886 CRS points.
  • In Round #2 (February 7, 2015), CIC issued 779 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 818 CRS points.
  • In Round #3 (February 20, 2015), CIC issued 849 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 808 CRS points.
  • In Round #4 (February 27, 2015), CIC issued 1187 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 735 CRS points.
  • In Round #5 (March 20, 2015), CIC issued 1620 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 481 CRS points.
  • In Round #6 (March 27, 2015), CIC issued 1637 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
  • In Round #7 (April 10, 2015), CIC issued 925 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 469 CRS points.
  • In Round #8 (April 17, 2015), CIC issued 715 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
  • In Round #9 (May 22, 2015), CIC issued 1361 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 755 CRS points.
  • In Round #10 (June 12, 2015), CIC issued 1501 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 482 CRS points.
  • In Round #11 (June 26, 2015), CIC issued 1575 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 469 CRS points.
  • In Round #12 (July 10, 2015), CIC issued 1516 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 463 CRS points.
  • In Round #13 (July 17, 2015), CIC issued 1581 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 451 CRS points.
  • In Round #14 (August 7, 2015), CIC issued 1402 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 471 CRS points.
  • In Round #15 (August 21, 2015), CIC issued 1523 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 456 CRS points.
  • In Round #16 (September 8, 2015), CIC issued 1517 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 459 CRS points.
  • In Round #17 (September 18, 2015), CIC issued 1545 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 450 CRS points.
  • In Round #18 (October 2, 2015), CIC issued 1530 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 450 CRS points.
  • In Round #19 (October 23, 2015), CIC issued 1502 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 489 CRS points.
  • In Round #20 (November 13, 2015), CIC issued 1506 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 484 CRS points.

Although the lowest CRS score eligible to receive an ITA has been 450 points (which occurred in rounds 17 and 18, the minimum CRS score has risen to over 480 in the last two rounds (rounds 19 and 20).  This is still a low enough score for a candidate to be selected without a Labour Market Impact Assessment or a nomination under a provincial nominee program Express Entry stream.  However, many applicants were hoping that the minimum CRS score would continue to drop for the remainder of the year; this clearly did not occur.


Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Announces Temporary pause on OINP “Base” Stream Applications

Henry Chang | November 29, 2015 in Canadian Immigration | Comments (0)

On November 16, 2015, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (“OINP”), formerly known as the Ontario Provincial Nominee Program, announced that it has exhausted its base stream allocation for 2015. Annual provincial nomination targets for each year are determined by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”). For 2015, the OINP received a base stream allocation of 2,500 nominations.

The OINP’s two new Express Entry Streams (the Ontario Human Capital Priorities Stream and the Ontario French Speaking Skilled Worker Stream) are not considered base streams and are therefore still available. The Ontario Human Capital Priorities Stream is for English-speaking skilled workers who want to live and work permanently in Ontario. The Ontario French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream is for French-Speaking skilled workers who have strong English language abilities and who want to live and work permanently in Ontario. However, applicants seeking nominations under one of these OINP Express Entry streams must first submit their profile under the Federal Express Entry Program and then wait to receive a Notice of Invitation from the OINP.

For applicants who have already submitted an application to the OINP but have not yet received a decision, their application will be finalized in 2016, under next year’s allocation. If an employer’s pre-screen application has been approved, the OINP will also continue to accept the corresponding nominee application(s) under the Foreign Worker Stream and International Student with a Job Offer Stream.

Between November 16th, 2015 and January 3, 2016, the program will not accept any new employer pre-screen applications or applications under the Master’s Stream or PhD Stream. Any applications received during this time period will be returned to the applicant.

The OINP will again begin accepting new applications under all base streams on January 4, 2016.


Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Establishes Two Express Entry Streams

Henry Chang | September 13, 2015 in Canadian Immigration | Comments (0)

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Overview

As previously discussed, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”) implemented its Express Entry system on January 1, 2015.  Applicants seeking permanent residence under one of the following classes must now submit an Express Entry Profile and then wait until they receive an Invitation to Apply (“ITA”) before they will be permitted to seek permanent residence:

  • The Federal Skilled Worker (“FSW”) Class;
  • The Canadian Experience Class (“CEC”);
  • The Federal Skilled Trades (“FST”) Class; or
  • Members of the Provincial Nominee Class who fall within the Express Entry Stream of a Provincial Nominee Program (“PNP”).

The fourth class describes a foreign national who has received a nomination certificate from a Provincial PNP.  A PNP nomination gives the foreign national an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (“CRS”) points under Express Entry, which makes it much more likely that they will receive an ITA quickly.

When the CIC Express Entry Program began on January 1, 2015, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (the “OINP”), formerly known as the Ontario PNP, still did not have an Express Entry Stream in place.  However, the OINP has now announced two Express Entry Streams: (1) the Human Capital Priorities Stream, and (2) the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream.

The Ontario Human Capital Priorities Stream is for English-speaking skilled workers who want to live and work permanently in Ontario. The Ontario French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream is for French-Speaking skilled workers who have strong English language abilities and who want to live and work permanently in Ontario.

Both Ontario Express Entry Streams require a potential applicant to first qualify under CIC’s Express Entry pool, based on either the FSW Class or the CEC.  This means that they must submit an Express Entry profile with CIC and be accepted into the pool of Express Entry candidates, under either the FSW Class or CEC.

Applicants also may not apply directly to the OINP under either of the Ontario Express Entry Streams.  They must first wait until they receive a Notification of Interest (“NOI”) from Ontario.

Refugee claimants currently in Canada are also not eligible to seek a nomination under either of the Ontario Express Entry Streams.

Provincial Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply under either the Human Capital Priorities Stream or the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream, applicants must satisfy the following provincial criteria:

Work Experience

All applicants require a minimum level of work experience:

  • If an applicant chooses to be assessed against the FSW criteria, he or she must have a minimum of one year of continuous and full-time employment (1,560 hours or more) or an equal amount in continuous part-time paid work experience in a National Occupation Classification (“NOC”) level 0, A, or B occupation in the past five years from the date of the PT Notification of Interest from Ontario.  The one year minimum of continuous and full-time (or equivalent continuous part-time) employment must have been completed in one specific NOC occupation.
  • If an applicant chooses to be assessed against the CEC criteria, he or she must have a minimum of one year of cumulative and full-time employment (1,560 hours or more) or an equal amount in part-time paid work experience in a NOC 0, A, or B occupation in Canada in the past three years from the date of the PT notification of interest from Ontario.

Education

All applicants must have a Canadian Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. degree or an Educational Credential Assessment (“ECA”) report produced by a designated organization indicating that their foreign education is the equivalent of a Canadian Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. degree.

Language Requirements

For the Human Capital Priorities Stream, all applicants must have a language level of Canadian Language Benchmark (“CLB”) 7 or above in all language competencies (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) in either English or French.  For the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream, all applicants must have a French-language level of CLB 7 or above in all language competencies (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) AND an English-language level of CLB 6 in all competencies.

Acceptable tests for language ability are:

  • International English Language Testing (“IELTS”) [General Training Test only] or Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (“CELPIP”) [General Test only] for English testing; or
  • Test d’Evaluation de Français (“TEF”) for French testing.

Express Entry Ranking

All applicants must score a minimum of 400 CRS points in CIC’s Express Entry system. The applicant’s CRS score must remain at or above 400 during both the Ontario nomination processing stage and at the federal permanent residence processing stage.

Settlement Funds

All applicants must possess sufficient funds and/or income to cover settlement costs in Ontario.  Funds must be unencumbered, readily transferable in a convertible currency, and supported by bank statements. Income may be demonstrated from ongoing employment in Ontario or a valid job offer in Ontario (the applicant must be able to legally work in Ontario).

Intention to Reside in Ontario

All applicants must intend to reside in Ontario, as demonstrated by a statement of intent and indication of ties to Ontario.

Additional Requirements

Additionally, if an applicant chooses to qualify under the FSW criteria, they will also be assessed against CIC’s six selection factors to ensure that they meet the minimum requirement of 67 points of assessment under the FSW Class.

Selection and Processing of Ontario Express Entry Stream Applicants

To determine which candidates will receive a NOI, the OINP searches CIC’s Express Entry pool and identifies potential candidates who meet the criteria of the two Ontario Express Entry Streams.  If it identifies a desirable applicant in CIC’s Express Entry pool, the applicant will receive an NOI from the OINP, through CIC’s web portal.

The NOI invites the applicant to apply for nomination under the one of the two Express Entry Streams.  Upon receipt of this NOI, the applicant will have 45 days to apply for a nomination certificate.

If the application is approved, the applicant will receive notification from the OINP.  The Applicant will have 30 days to accept the nomination from Ontario, within CIC’s Express Entry system.

A nomination from the OINP will give the applicant an additional 600 CRS points (once their express Entry Profile has been updated) and they should receive an ITA from CIC soon after.  Once the applicant receives an ITA from CIC, they will have 60 days to apply for permanent residence.


Update in Express Entry

Henry Chang | April 13, 2015 in Canadian Immigration | Comments (0)

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I previously reported that, since Express Entry began on January 1, 2015, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”) had issued four rounds of Invitations to Apply (“ITAs”).  An ITA allows a foreign national to submit their application for permanent residence under one of the following categories:

  • The Federal Skilled Worker (“FSW”) Class;
  • The Canadian Experience Class (“CEC”);
  • The Federal Skilled Trades (“FST”) Class; or
  • Members of the Provincial Nominee Class who fall within the Express Entry Stream of a Provincial Nominee Program (“PNP”).

Express Entry applicants were selected to receive an ITA based on how many points they were assigned under the Comprehensive Ranking System (“CRS”).

CIC has now issued two additional rounds of ITAs, bringing the total to six since Express Entry commenced.  A summary of all six Express Entry rounds to date appears below:

  • In Round #1 (January 31, 2015), CIC issued 779 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 886 CRS points.
  • In Round #2 (February 7, 2015), CIC issued 779 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 818 CRS points.
  • In Round #3 (February 20, 2015), CIC issued 849 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 808 CRS points.
  • In Round #4 (February 27, 2015), CIC issued 1187 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 735 CRS points.
  • In Round #5 (March 20, 2015), CIC issued 1620 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 481 CRS points.
  • In Round #6 (March 27, 2015), CIC issued 1637 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.

CIC is clearly increasing the number of ITAs that it issues in each round and is also lowering the minimum CRS score that applies in each round.  In fact, during the last two rounds, the lowest eligible CRS score dropped below 600.  This means that at least some of the ITAs issued during the last two rounds were sent to applicants who did not have arranged employment or a nomination certificate issued under an express entry stream.  This is a welcome trend, which I hope will continue for the balance of the year.


Update on Express Entry

Henry Chang | March 10, 2015 in Canadian Immigration | Comments (0)

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previously reported that, since Express Entry began on January 1, 2015, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”) had issued two rounds of Invitations to Apply (“ITAs”).  An ITA allows a foreign national to submit their application for permanent residence under one of the following categories:

  • The Federal Skilled Worker (“FSW”) Class;
  • The Canadian Experience Class (“CEC”);
  • The Federal Skilled Trades (“FST”) Class; or
  • Members of the Provincial Nominee Class who fall within the Express Entry Stream of a Provincial Nominee Program (“PNP”).

Express Entry applicants were selected to receive an ITA based on how many points they were assigned under the Comprehensive Ranking System (“CRS”).

Since my previous report, CIC has now issued two additional rounds of ITAs, bringing the total to four since Express Entry commenced.  A summary of all four Express Entry rounds to date appears below:

  • In Round #1 (January 31, 2015), CIC issued 779 ITAs. Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 886 CRS points.
  • In Round #2 (February 7, 2015), CIC issued 779 ITAs. Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 818 CRS points.
  • In Round #3 (February 20, 2015), CIC issued 849 ITAs. Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 808 CRS points.
  • In Round #4 (February 27, 2015), CIC issued 1187 ITAs. Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 735 CRS points.

It would appear as though CIC is slowing increasing the number of ITAs that it issues in each round.  It is also lowering the minimum CRS score that applies in each round.

This is definitely a step in the right direction.  However, the total number of ITAs being issued is still relatively small, given the fact that Express Entry applies to all cases filed under the FSW, CEC, FST, and Express Entry Stream.  Also, even with a minimum score of 735 CRS points, an applicant cannot receive an ITA unless he or she either: (1) has arranged employment, or (2) has a nomination certificate issued under the Express Entry stream of a PNP.

Hopefully, future rounds will allow for a greater number of ITAs and a minimum score below 600 CRS points.