The Canadian Government has invited 3,900 Express Entry candidates to apply for Permanent Residency (PR) in its latest draw, with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 471, a point over the previous draw held in February, which had a minimum score of 470.

Meanwhile, as the number of Nigerian International students studying in Canada increases every year, the Canadian Government has introduced a new pilot program intended to help expedite the study permit application process for Nigerians.

The program, known as “The Nigerian Student Express (NSE)” pilot, is for Nigerians who have been accepted to a Canadian post-secondary institution. This means that eligible candidates need to have been accepted to a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree program, or a post-graduate diploma course in Canada.

This initiative is aimed at shortening the process involved in acquiring study permits for Nigerians from an average of eight weeks to 20 days.

[READ MORE: Canada invites 4,500 Express Entry Candidates, as cut-off score drops to 470)

In order to reach this year’s 85,800 ITS target, the Canadian Government has started issuing larger numbers of invitations in every draw. This round brings the total number of ITAs issued this year to 18,700, indicating a 21.79% achievement so far.

A tie break of March 4 was applied, indicating that all candidates with CRS scores of 471 and above who entered their profiles in the Express Entry before the date received invitations to apply.

How CRS Score works 

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a score awarded to applicants, considering factors such as age, education, skilled work experience and language ability in English or French.

A set number of the highest-ranked candidates receive invitation for Canadian permanent residence through frequent draws from the pool of applicants.

Canada’s Express Entry system manages the profiles of candidates for three of Canada’s main economic-class immigration programmes, which are: the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class and Canadian Experience Class.

[READ ALSO: Canada invites fresh 3,500 candidates to apply for Permanent Residence)

Why Nigerians travel abroad 

Nigerian immigration to Canada has been booming in recent years, being the fourth most represented nationality among new permanent residents in 2019, many of which are young people in search of academic pursuits that give study-work opportunity to immigrants.

The educational system in Nigeria is on a steady decline, characterized by lack of an enabling learning environment and recurring strike actions. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is currently embarking on a two-week warning strike, which has over the years been a thorn on the flesh of Nigerian students, increasing the duration of a program that would have been completed in four to five years to six years or more.