41800 Invited to Apply for Canadian Permanent Residence through the Express Entry Program in the First Half of 2019

A record 41,800 invitations to apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent residency through the Express Entry program were issued in the first half of 2019.

The Express Entry system is the main source of skilled foreign workers for Canada. Eligible candidates who enter to participate in the program are ranked based on a score system known as the Comprehensive Ranking (CRS). The highest ranking candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular draws from the pool, which are held every two weeks.

A minimum score is set for each draw. The score for each applicant is based on factors such as age, education level, skills level, occupation, English or French proficiency, and family ties to Canada.

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.

In fiscal year 2018, a total of 92,000 candidates and their families were admitted to Canada as permanent residents through the Express Entry program. For 2019, the Canadian government has set a target of 81,400 Innovations to Apply.