Latest Changes in Express Entry

The COVID-19 has had a significant impact on global immigration rules and procedures. To flatten the infection curve, all nations across the world, including Canada, have implemented different travel restrictions, and some have completely closed their borders. In certain nations, labour migration has been temporarily halted, while in others, immigration processing has been hindered.

However, after nations began vaccinating their citizens, several countries, including Canada, have lifted certain travel restrictions. In addition, the Canadian government has implemented modifications to the Express Entry program to make it simpler for immigrants to apply for and get permits to work and settle in the country.

Express Entry 

The Express Entry Program is one of Canada’s most popular immigration programmes. This program is for skilled workers who desire to become permanent residents of Canada. Through the Express Entry programme, Canada welcomes 110,000 immigrants every year.

Express Entry 2021

Despite the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak, the Canadian government continues to accept applications for admission. The authorities are, in fact, accepting applications at the highest level. Over 90% of all eligible candidates were asked to apply for permanent residence in 2020.

Canada requires highly skilled workers in order to boost its economy. As a result, Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan for the years 2021-2023 has already been released.

So, What are the latest changes made in Express Entry?

The Canadian government has introduced certain relaxation for Express Entry.

Changes introduced in 2021

Changes to ITA (Invitation to Apply) period

In order to provide candidates more time to prepare their applications, the invitation to apply period for permanent residency was extended from 60 to 90 days. The government started this initiative because people were having trouble getting their required paperwork. As a result, applicants who applied through Express Entry before June 29, 2021, will have 90 days to complete their application. However, IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) is reverting to its 60-day processing schedule to handle a large number of applications in a timely manner.

Changes introduced in 2020

Additional points benefits 

If you know good French, you can earn bonus points as of October 20, 2020. For example, if you obtain a 7 NCLC or better in all four French language skills, you’ll gain an extra 25 points. Even if you get a CLB 4 or less than CLB 4 in English, you’ll get a bonus of 25 points (only if you have taken both the tests).

Similarly, if you score CLB 5 or above in all four parts of the English language (Writing, Speaking, Reading, and Listening) along with NCLC 7 in French, you will receive an extra 50 points.

The changes announced will increase the current number of points from 15 to 25 points for French-speaking applicants and from 30 to 50 for bilingual applicants.

Minimum CRS points requirements

The CRS profiles in the pool get updated every time before the next invitation is sent to the applicants. In the May 2021 Express Entry CEC draw cycle, the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score dropped from 401 to 397.

Changes that were introduced in Express Entry prior to the Coronavirus pandemic.

In the years 2019 and 2018, Canada’s government made no alterations to the Express Entry programme.

Changes introduced in 2017

Sibling benefits

Suppose you or your spouse/common-law partner has a brother or sister already residing in Canada or is a citizen/permanent resident of Canada. In that case, you can receive an additional 15 points from the federal government of Canada. The applicant’s sibling must be 18 years old or older, share a parent, or be connected to the applicant through blood, marriage, adoption, or common-law partnership.

Job Bank benefits

Voluntary job bank registration was one of the other modifications made in June 2017. If job seekers wish to build a job market with the help of a job bank, they must meet the minimum admission criteria.

What is the applicant expected to do?

These alterations, however, will not make a difference to everyone’s application. Therefore, you are not obligated to do anything if you believe that these changes will not impact you.

However, if the changes apply to you, you should log in to your Express Entry profile and check your online application account. You can make changes to your profile there. Within 24 hours of updating your profile, CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) will update your score.