Top Myths of Canada Immigration: Low CRS, No ITA

MYTH: You don’t stand a chance with a CRS below 300.

Reality: A PNP nomination in itself can guarantee your ITA from IRCC even with a CRS of 87 based on human capital factors.

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Canada is the most welcoming country for a migrant. With the assurance of a better quality of life and a higher standard of education as well as health care, the very thought of migrating to Canada does hold a rosy glow for the best of us.

While each year many people from all over the world put down roots in Canada, India leads them all as the source country for most of the immigrants to Canada.

Many a times, the thought crosses our mind. How do so many people manage to acquire Canadian permanent residency?

Is it really that simple?

Well, in a way it is.

Launched in 2015, the Express Entry system of Canada is one of the most streamlined immigration systems in the world. With an easy to understand and a simple process to be followed, Canadian immigration is usually regarded to be less intimidating than that of certain other countries.

Moreover, the standard processing timeframe for a Canadian permanent residence application submitted through the Express Entry system is that of within 6 months. That is, from the date that the completed application has been submitted by the Canada immigration hopeful to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada [IRCC].

The Express Entry system of the federal government of Canada manages the pool of candidates that might be eligible for any of the 3 major economic immigration programs of Canada. The 3 programs that come under the Express Entry system are – ·         The Federal Skilled Worker Program [FSWP] ·         The Federal Skilled Trades Program [FSTP] ·         The Canadian Experience Class [CEC] The majority of individuals that apply for Canada immigration through the Express Entry are skilled workers, that is, those eligible for the FSWP. The FSTP, on the other hand, is for those looking to settle in Canada with their families based on their expertise in a specific skilled trade. The CEC, as the name suggests, is for those with previous Canadian experience. In a historic Express Entry draw, IRCC issued a total of 27,332 invitations to apply to CEC candidates.

Now, not all Express Entry profiles receive an ITA. It is only the highest-ranked individuals in the Express Entry pool that are invited by the federal government of Canada.

Applying for Canadian permanent residence through the Express Entry system is by invitation only.

Any individual interested in relocating to Canada and eligible for applying through any of the Express Entry system’s programs – the FSWP, the FSTP, or the CEC – will have to begin the process with the creation of their Express Entry profile. Following which, they will be required to wait for an invitation before proceeding any further.

As the main criteria for a candidate to receive an invitation is their ranking score – the Comprehensive Ranking System [CRS] score – while in the Express Entry pool, the higher the CRS score, the better the chances of the candidate receiving an ITA from IRCC.

As on February 8, 2021, there were a total of 603 Express Entry candidates in the CRS 601-1,200 score range. The majority [48,585] of Express Entry profiles, on the other hand, were in the CRS score 351-400. The total number of profiles in the Express Entry pool of candidates, as on February 8, 2021, were 152,714.

While the highest-ranked Express Entry candidates are issued invitations in the federal draws that are held from time to time, the minimum CRS requirement varies from draw to draw.

While, generally the required CRS is in the 440+ range, there are ways of ensuring that you get invited to apply even with a low CRS.

One of the biggest myths of Canada immigration is that you don’t stand a chance with a CRS of below 300.

While there are various ways of improving your CRS – such as, aiming at a better score in the English proficiency tests, securing a job offer in Canada, or securing a nomination – the provincial route is the most recommended among them all.

A provincial nomination in itself can make all the difference between an Express Entry profile being issued an Invitation to Apply for their Canadian permanent residence or overlooked in favour of candidates with seemingly a better potential of settling in Canada.

Of the 10 provinces in Canada, 9 are a part of the Provincial Nominee Program [PNP].

Similarly, of the 3 territories that are also a part of Canada, 2 – Northwest Territories and Yukon – are a part of the PNP. Nunavut is the only Canadian territory not a part of the PNP.

Among the Canadian provinces, Quebec has its own immigration program for the induction of newcomers into the province.

An Express Entry candidate that is successful in securing a PNP nomination, through any of the Express Entry-linked PNP pathways, is automatically allotted additional 600 points towards their CRS score. A PNP nomination, thus, is a guarantee of that Express Entry candidate being issued an ITA by IRCC in the next Express Entry draw to be held.

For all those struggling with a low CRS, that is, below a competitive total of CRS 500, the advisable way ahead would be to take the PNP route.

In order to be considered by any of the provinces or territories that have PNP streams linked with the Express Entry system, the first step of the process would be to intimate your ‘interest’ to the concerned province or territory.

This interest will have to be communicated through the creation of an Expression of Interest profile with the PNP of the specific provincial or territorial [PT] government. For example, with the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program [OINP], if interested in settling within Ontario after gaining Canada PR.

The creation of an Expression of Interest profile – commonly referred to as an EOI profile – does not involve any cost and can be created for free.

It is only when invited by the province under the PNP that the candidate can proceed to the next step of the process, that of submitting their complete application for the particular PNP stream or pathway invited for.

Express Entry candidates that are successful in securing a PNP nomination would later have to apply for their Canadian permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada [IRCC]. The final decision as to who is to be granted Canada PR lies with IRCC.

If you are looking to Work, Study, Invest, Visit, or Migrate to Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No. 1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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