Here is a summary of the most important headlines from this week

- Canada holds largest ever Express Entry draw

- Canada-US border closure extended again

- B.C. invites 417 candidates in latest draw

- Ontario Tech Draw invites 772 Express Entry candidates

Canada holds largest ever Express Entry draw

Canada’s latest Express Entry draw is tied for the largest draw ever. A total of 4,500 invitations were issued to immigration candidates.

Those invited must have had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 471, which is the same as the minimum requirement in the previous Express Entry draw.

The last time Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a draw of this size was in February 2020.

Express Entry is the system that the federal government uses to manage applications through the three main economic class programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

The system is also used by some Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

Candidates are given a CRS score based on their age, education, work experience, adaptability and language ability. The highest ranked candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence through draws that are held every two weeks.

Complete our FREE Express Entry form to see if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada!

Canada-US border closure extended for the seventh time

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has confirmed on his Twitter account that the border between Canada and the United States will remain closed for another 30 days, until November 21.

This means that those who were looking to visit Canada for tourism, shopping or entertainment will not be allowed into the country. Only essential travel remains open between the two countries.

Essential travel includes trade shipments and people crossing the border to carry out essential work.

In addition, Canadian citizens and permanent residents and their immediate family members may also travel to Canada.

B.C. invites 417 candidates to apply for provincial nomination

British Columbia invited immigration candidates to apply for a provincial nomination in its latest British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) draw.

A total of 417 invitations were issued through the Express Entry BC (EEBC) stream and the Skills Immigration (SI) stream.

Candidates were invited under the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories, and the Entry level and Semi-Skilled subcategory under the SI stream.

The minimum required score for this draw was between 75 and 94.

Ontario new Tech Draw invites 772 Express Entry candidates

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) invited 772 Express Entry candidates to apply for a provincial nomination. Candidates must qualify for the Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) stream. 

In addition, candidates needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of between 462 and 470, as well as work experience in one of six occupations:

• Computer and information systems managers (NOC 0213)
• Computer engineers (NOC 2147)
• Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 2172)
• Software engineers and designers (NOC 2173)
• Computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174)
• Web designers and developers (NOC 2175).

Candidates also must have had an Express Entry profile to be considered.

Those who receive a provincial nomination receive an additional 600 CRS points, which practically guarantees an invitation to apply for permanent residence in a subsequent Express Entry draw.

Complete our FREE Express Entry form to see if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada!