Express Entry draw : CRS requirement hits lowest point in two years at 438

In the latest Express Entry draw held on January 30, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 3,350 candidates to apply for permanent residence in Canada. In the all-program draw held after an interval of just one week, the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement dropped to its lowest point in two years, at 438.

The January 30 draw is the third Express Entry draw to take place in the year 2019. The minimum CRS score requirement was low as the time gap between the previous draw held on January 23 and the latest one was short. A short interval means only less number of candidates would have been able to submit their Express Entry profiles during this period. The last time when the minimum CRS score requirement was as low as 438 was in the draw for Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class candidates held in March 2017.

As the previous draws, tie-break rule was applied in the January 30 draw as well, the date and time being April 26, 2018 at 05:00:46 UTC. It means all the candidates with a CRS score of 438 or above, who had submitted their profiles before the said date and time, have been issued invitations.

It is expected that Canada will be inviting an increasing number of Express Entry candidates over the next few years, maintaining the CRS score requirements at the current level or lower. As per the updated Immigration Levels Plan of Canada for 2019-2021, a total of 256,000 new permanent residents will be admitted to Canada through the three economic immigration programs managed by Express Entry– Federal Skilled Worker Class, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades Class. Another 200,000 or so new permanent residents will be admitted through the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) during the plan period. The Express Entry candidates who receive provincial nomination will receive 600 additional CRS score points that would guarantee an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence in Canada in the subsequent Express Entry draws.

Minimum CRS requirements in the Express Entry draws held this year:

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