Following the first of the all-program Express Entry draws held on the 6th of July in 2022, CIC News analysed several factors that seem to impact the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. The CRS is a merit-based process in which points are awarded to candidates based on factors like education, language and skill set. Only the candidates who receive the highest CRS score are issued Invitations to Apply (ITA), which enables them to immigrate to Canada.
Thus, such changes in the CRS score may be intimidating for candidates due to the uncertainty it can cause. Immigration consultants in Dubai can assist you with this process, ensuring that your chances of immigrating to Canada are at their best. That being said, it is still beneficial for you to know the factors that affect the Express Entry CRS score, so that you have some insight into the system. Keep on reading to learn about the conclusions reached by CIC News.
Issuance of More Invitations to Apply
CIC News addressed the fact that the CRS score requirements have been lowered. This is a result of the increase in the number of Invitations to Apply that have been issued. However, despite being lowered, the cut-off scores still seem to be considerably high. For instance, the minimum score required of the latest Express Entry draw was 553 points. CIC News suggests that such scores are most likely to be achieved by candidates who are comparatively younger in age, with commendable education as well as work experience. Bilinguality also appears to be an added bonus.
Pent-Up Demand
Usually, the CRS cut-off score is lowered when there is an increase in the number of candidates invited by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). However, CIC News discerns that constrained demand has led to a situation in which many candidates have obtained scores that are higher than 501. This increase in demand is attributable to the suspension of the draws for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, which were paused since December 2020 and September 2021 respectively. This meant that candidates were not provided with any draws through which they could be invited to apply. Therefore, there was an increase in the number of candidates who received scores higher than 501 during this period of time, since Express Entry profiles remain valid for an entire year.
Therefore, as explained by CIC News, this is the reason as to why there has been an immense increase in the number of candidates who received high scores, in comparison to the scores received prior to the pandemic. For instance, there were approximately 21,900 candidates who obtained scores between 450-600 during the last draw on the 3rd of March in 2020, which occurred before the coronavirus outbreak was declared to be a pandemic. This creates major contrast with the draw held on the 3rd of August in 2022, which had 66,813 candidates who received scores within a similar range.
Time Lags
Statistics that were recently uploaded on Canada’s government website indicate that around 8,975 Express Entry candidates secured scores within the 501-600 range. CIC News noted that there appears to be an increase in the number of high-scoring individuals who are entering the Express Entry pool. This is because even though there are a lower number of candidates who obtained scores between 501 and 600 when compared to the draw held on the 20th of July, it is still a higher number than that of July 6th. Therefore, it seems that despite the increase in the numbers of high-scoring individuals, these candidates are not entering fast enough to stop the CRS cutoff score from stooping any lower.
Provincial Nominee Program Candidates
CIC News indicates that there is another factor that could have an impact on the dropping of the CRS score as well, that being the numerous Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) individuals in the Express Entry pool. Since it is up to the government to grant nominations, the figure achieved is dependent on the provinces. This therefore means that it is the speed with which an Express Entry candidate replies to an invitation to apply that determines whether or not the CRS score goes down. The time taken by the province to process a nomination also plays a significant part in this. When assessing the last three draws that were held, it is evident that the CRS score is still declining, due to the increase of 250 Invitations to Apply for each draw, which is what affected the new intakes of both PNP and the Express Entry candidates.
According to CIC News’ calculations, 30 weeks must pass until the Express Entry draw sizes match those of December 2020 (5000). That is, if the IRCC carries on with increasing the quantity of Invitations to Apply every two weeks, by 250. If this really is the case, then a matching up of the draw sizes will only occur on the 8th of March in 2023.
Processing Standards
CIC News also estimates that if draws are to keep increasing at the same pace, it will take 20 weeks for IRCC to surpass the average number of Invitations to Apply, which was 3,700 between the 8th of January and the 4th of March in 2020. Importance is therefore placed on the ability of the department to preserve its usual standard of processing 80% of the applications within six months, as this determines the number of ITAs that are issued. This is because if the IRCC can maintain this standard, then it does not have to keep holding draws so frequently. Instead, the department will be able to adjust the invitations as required.
If all of this information seems overwhelming, do not worry. Being aware of these factors is definitely useful, but it is even more advantageous in the long run to utilise the guidance of immigration consultants in Dubai, like IMM Consults. Our immigration consultancy services provide you with unique, customised solutions that cater to all your immigration needs.
