This year the Express Entry system under Canada immigration gateways issued record 44,591 Invitation To Apply (ITA) to eligible candidates from across the world. Hence, the second quarter (April, May and June months) of 2021 marked a record in terms of inviting immigration candidates to apply for securing permanent residency status in Canada through the Express Entry program. The number of Express Entry candidates, who received ITA in second quarter of 2021, breaks the previous record of first quarter (January, February and March) of ITA, which was 44,124. According to official data, as of June 30, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a total of 88,715 ITA to candidates wishing to secure permanent residency status in Canada. The past record of 2017 was also smashed this year. The IRCC conducted more draws in the second quarter of 2021. It conducted 14 Express Entry draws compared to 10.
Why Candidates Should Migrate This Year?
- When examining the distribution of people, who applied through the Express Entry stream, Indians (working anywhere in the world) accounted for almost half of the principal applicants, who were invited to apply for permanent residence between 2017 and 2019. On the other hand, only 7 per cent of invitations were issued to immigrants from Nigeria and China – the countries that hold second and third positions in terms of Canada immigration.
- According to the 2016 census, there were about 1,374,710 people of Indian origin in Canada. Since then, the number of Indian professionals, skilled workers and immigrants has been increasing substantially over the last few years.
- In 2019, Indian citizens were almost a quarter of 341,000 immigrants, who migrated to Canada for bright future. Clearly, with hard work and dedication, Indians have created space for themselves in Canadian provinces, industries and domains. In 2015, Indian citizens made up just 14 per cent of Canada’s immigrants.
Express Entry is the main pathway to secure Canadian permanent residency status. The other immigration pathway is Provincial Nominee programs, Study Visa and over 100 economic-class immigration programs for candidates.
Express Entry Stream
It is the most popular immigration gateway, particularly among skilled workers and professionals in Dubai and UAE. The Express Entry system is the most common and easiest online system for managing immigration applications for permanent residency status in Canada. Candidates, who are eligible for one of Canada’s economic class immigration programs – Federal Skilled Workers Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program or Canadian Experience Class – can enter the Express Entry pool by submitting online applications. In order to successfully get Invitation To Apply (ITA) to secure Canadian permanent residency status, candidates must gain high points on Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) on basis of factors like age, education, skill training, language proficiency, relevant work experience, adaptability, sufficient funds and so on. The skilled work is determined based on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) – national system to group or classify occupations and skills.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regularly holds Express Entry draws and offers invitation to the highest scorers to apply for permanent residency status in Canada. Further, candidates having work experience in Dubai and UAE are preferred by Canadian employers due to their exposure of working with global clients. It really helps these candidates to include traits of professionalism in work culture.
In 2021, IRCC set a target of welcoming 108,500 new immigrants and foreign skilled workers through Express Entry-managed gateways. This number is surely more than any other immigration pathway.
Low CRS Cutoffs in Second Quarter Express Entry Draws
Every single draw since the start of this year has been program-specific. Generally, IRCC follow one Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw followed by a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw. This has been done to admit Express Entry candidates, who are present in Canada in order to avoid travel restrictions imposed to contain COVID 19 spread. According to news reports, around 95 per cent of CEC candidates were in Canada in May 2021. As many as 30 per cent of PNP candidates were also present in Canada during this time.
This time the Express Entry draw sizes were greater. The IRCC conducted larger draws in second quarter of 2021. Some CEC draws touched the mark of issuing 6,000 ITAs in April. The PNP draw in June broke the mark of 1,000 ITAs for the first time ever.
Another key feature of Express Entry draws were lower CRS cutoffs. The IRCC allowed CEC candidates in the 300s to issue ITAs. It is important to note that for CEC candidates, the CRS requirement has been on decline since May this year. The latest draw required candidates to have the CRS of 357. Except February 13 draw, this would have been the lowest CRS score of any CEC draw ever.
What is the Scope Of Express Entry Stream ?
Owing to COVID-19 pandemic induced travel restrictions, the ITCC focused its efforts on providing permanent residency status in Canada to immigration candidates who are already present in the country. This way the government can contain the spread of Corona virus as well as fulfil demands of local labour markets and industries.
It is important to note that Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) were not been included in the Express Entry draws conducted so far this year. Earlier, almost half of all ITAs used to be received by candidates under FSWP immigration gateway. Around 95 per cent of FSWP candidates are outside Canada, according to IRCC data issued in May 2021. The Canadian work experience is not an eligibility requirement for many FSWP candidates. Last year, IRCC also took a break from holding all-program Express Entry draws, which include FSWP candidates.
The Canadian work experience is a must for candidates under Canadian Experience Class immigration gateway. After Canada went into lockdown in March 2020, IRCC held the first all-program draw during the pandemic on July 8.
This year on June 21, the federal government lifted quarantine requirements to exempt travellers, who were fully vaccinated, with a Canada-approved vaccine. Further, the list of exempt travellers included approved permanent residency candidates for Canada immigration. It is a great news for candidates from Dubai, UAE and other Gulf countries.
Canada has partially vaccinated more than 75 per cent of its population except kids under 12 years. It means that more than 22 per cent of eligible Canadians are fully vaccinated and hence employers are interested to hire them. The federal government of Canada aims to fully vaccinate 75 per cent of the eligible population by the end of July.
Candidates under FSTP gateway may also get a draw this year. If not, it will be for the first time since 2017 that Canada would not hold at least one Express Entry draw for such skilled trades candidates and immigrants. It is interesting to note that around 56 per cent of candidates from FSTP were present in Canada in May 2021. Due to rise in demand of skilled workers and trained professionals, the candidates under FSTP outnumbered Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates in the Express Entry pool.
The federal government of Canada and Canadian employers always stressed the importance of immigrants, foreign skilled workers and professionals to run country’s economy efficiently as well as to meet demands of industries and local labour markets. According to rough estimates by IRCC, almost all Express Entry candidates receive Canada job offer in their first year after landing. It is important to note that the Express Entry system is meant for skilled candidates, professionals and immigrants to welcome them in Canada in order to strengthen industries and economy.
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