Canada invited 3,357 Express Entry Candidates with scores as low as 300

Canadian province, Alberta, has issued a total of 3,357 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) to Express Entry candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System scores as low as 300.

According to information obtained from the Canada Immigration Newsletter, Alberta has so far in 2019 held 14 draws through its Express Entry-aligned immigration stream. Express Entry Candidates nominated by the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Programme (AINP) receive additional 600 points towards their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which effectively guarantees an invitation to apply for Canadian Permanent Residency.

An earlier report indicated that 3,350 Express Entry candidates were invited to apply for Canadian PR in a new draw held on April 17.

Alberta Express Entry: The Alberta Express Entry Programme was introduced last year, and the Stream allows the province to search the federal Express Entry pool for immigration candidates who meet specified eligibility requirements and invite them to apply for a provincial nomination.

How to Qualify: In order to be eligible for Alberta Express Entry, one of the criteria is that Candidates must have a CRS score of at least 300 and be working in an occupation that supports Alberta’s economic development and diversification priorities. Same goes for candidates hoping to be considered for a nomination for Canadian Permanent Residency from Alberta.

Note that out of 14 draws held so far in 2019, three draws specifically invited Express Entry candidates with scores as low as 300. This is significantly lower than the lowest score drawn through a federal Express Entry draw so far this year, which was 438.

Skilled Traders with low scores invited: On the other hand, the Canadian government invited 500 Federal Skilled Trades Class candidates with Comprehensive Ranking Scores as low as 332 to apply for Canadian permanent residence in a new Express Entry draw held May 15.

This program-specific draw was introduced in September 24, 2018, targetted at candidates in the Federal Skilled Trades Class. It is open to foreign nationals with a certificate of qualification that proves they are qualified to work in a skilled trade occupation in Canada.

Skilled work experience eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Class falls under the following categories of Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC):

• Major Group 72: Industrial, electrical and construction trades
• Major Group 73: Maintenance and equipment operation trades
• Major Group 82: Supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production
• Major Group 92: Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators
• Minor Group 632: Chefs and cooks
• Minor Group 633: Butchers and bakers

Eligible candidates are given a score under Express Entry’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) that is based on factors such as age, education, skilled work experience and proficiency in English or French and are entered into the Express Entry pool.

[Also Read: How to Apply for Canadian Permanent Residency from Nigeria on Your Own]