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Immigration Update

Express Entry Update

On March 31st 2021 and April 1st 2021, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued two new rounds of invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry system.

The March 31st 2021 draw invited candidates who qualify for selection under the Provincial Nominee Class. The minimum score selected was 778 and 284 candidates were invited to apply. To qualify for selection under the Provincial Nominee Class, candidates must have received a nomination certificate from a Canadian province or territory. Canadian provinces and territories have their own unique set of immigration programs through which applicants can apply for permanent residence. Candidates who receive a provincial or territorial nomination can be awarded 600 additional points under the federal Express Entry system.

The April 1st 2021 draw invited candidates who qualify for selection under the Canadian Experience Class. The minimum score selected was 432, and 5,000 candidates were invited to apply. To qualify for selection under the Canadian Experience Class, candidates must have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years.

This week’s Express Entry draws continued to exclude candidates under the Federal Skilled Worker Class, focusing only on Canadian Experience Class candidates and Provincial Nominees. Should IRCC continue to exclude Federal Skilled Worker candidates, we expect that the minimum scores required for selection under the Canadian Experience Class category will continue to decrease.