IRCC drops Minimum Score Required to Obtain ITA in its Latest Draw

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 3,900 Invitations to Apply (ITA) for Permanent Residence through the Express Entry Program on December 19, 2018. The comprehensive ranking score (CRS) required to receive an ITA in this draw was 439 points, which is the lowest the score has been for most programs for the 2018 calendar year. This round of invitations did not target any specific programs and could potentially be the last draw for this year.

IRCC also targeted individuals applying under the Federal Skilled Trades Program, through two draws which took place in May and September 2018, where 288 points and 284 points, were respectively required to obtain an ITA. In May 2018, 200 individuals under the Provincial Nominee Programs with a score of 902 points and above, were also provided with ITAs. With the exception of these draws, IRCC was consistent in providing ITAs to individuals, in 2018, whose points ranged from the low 440s to the high 450s. In addition to this draw being the lowest minimum score to receive an ITA in 2018, a larger number of invites were provided, a trend which started towards the end of the year in September 2018, and only took place 7 days after its previous draw on December 12, 2018.

For further information on the Express Entry Program or any Canadian immigration matters, please contact pinaz@prmlaw.ca.