Canada to Introduce New Selection Rules for Permanent Residency

The Canadian government has revealed plans to introduce some changes to its Express Entry, the system used to manage Canadian permanent residence applications for filling labor gaps through certain immigration programs.

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser told CIC News the system would be looking for specific skills in candidates which will allow Canada to select more immigrants who are “already primed for success in the labor market." 

Presently, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invites candidates through Express Entry which is highly dependent on Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores. 

But the immigration department is now considering holding Express Entry draws that target specific skills and occupations in the future instead of relying solely on a CRS score. 

“The goal is really to maximize the contribution that a newcomer can make in their communities, so they’re set up for success when they arrive, but also that they’re going to meet the needs of the community where they’re going to reside," Fraser told CIC. 

“I expect we’re going to see potential increase of retention rates have opened up because people are coming in where they know they have opportunities because that was the basis of their invitation to apply.”

Owing to the labor shortage in the country, Canada looks to invite 55,900 permanent residents through Express Entry in 2022, and a total of 111,500 by the end of 2024.

On August 17th, Canada held its fourth all-program Express Entry draw since July 6th, its fourth and largest since resuming after a 19-month hiatus.

IRCC issued 2,250 Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence following the draw that required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 525 points, eight lower than the previous draw.

There was no program specified for this draw which means that candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) were eligible to be invited, CIC reported.