I looked at the Express Entry FSW route about two months ago but thought there was no way I’d ever get one because the points would always be above 600 with employers sponsoring staff to stay on after their Working holiday visa expired. Shocked only 3,247 appear to have been sponsored initially in the first 4 rounds.
I wonder is it a case of
a) employers don’t want the hassle/expense of sponsoring and then having to inevitably pay higher wages to a now permanent visa holder, when they have cheaper labour coming through on WH visas, or
b) it’s still early doors for the new system and the majority haven’t got their Express Entry applications finalised yet, meaning points could go back up (especially when word gets around that scores are below 600 now), or
c) a lot of people have simply had enough after say the 2-year WH visa and want to return home
I suspect it’s a combination of the above. I’ve now applied to WES for my qualifications to be assessed and IELTS to do the English test. Work references being sorted too.
My score worked out at 463, depending on how my qualifications are scored and how well the IELTS goes. So hopefully I’d get an offer later this year. Not planning to go til next year so in no panic.