Canada's May 1st Express Entry Draw Invites 3,350 Candidates to Apply for Permanent Residency, Targets 81,400 for 2019

In the latest draw held on Wednesday, May 1st, 2019 for the Express Entry program, the government of Canada has invited 3,350 candidates with Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency.

Individuals who enter the drawing and are selected for ITA get a chance to apply for Canadian permanent residency.

The government sets a minimum score needed to qualify for each draw - Comprehensive Ranking system (CRS) score, which is based on such factors as age, education, skilled work experience, family ties in Canada, and fluency in either English or French. The minimum score for the May 1st draw was 450, a reduction of 1 point over the minimum score for the April 17th draw, in which another 3,350 candidates were invited for ITAs.

So far in 2019 Canada has issued 31,250 ITAs, against a target of 81,400 for fiscal year 2019.

Candidates who are issued ITAs are given 60 days to submit a complete application permanent residency as the first step towards moving to or remaining in Canada as a permanent resident.

Candidates who apply for Express Entry remain the the selection pool for 12 months if they are not immediately invited to apply. The government says while in the selection pool, the candidate can continue to improve his or her score by among other things gaining more relevant work experience, improving education level, improving language score, or getting a job offer in Canada.

You can check if you meet the minimum score and also apply for Express Entry here.