Since Express Entry began on January 1, 2015, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC”), formerly known as Citizenship and Immigration Canada, has issued several rounds of Invitations to Apply (“ITAs”).  An ITA allows a foreign national to submit their application for permanent residence under one of the following categories:

• The Federal Skilled Worker (“FSW”) Class;
• The Canadian Experience Class (“CEC”);
• The Federal Skilled Trades (“FST”) Class; or
• Members of the Provincial Nominee Class who fall within the Express Entry Stream of a Provincial Nominee Program (“PNP”).

Express Entry applicants are selected to receive an ITA based on how many points they are assigned under the Comprehensive Ranking System (“CRS”).

As of the date of this article, CIC has issued a total of 44 rounds of ITAs.  A summary of these Express Entry rounds appears below:

• In Round #1 (January 31, 2015), IRCC issued 779 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 886 CRS points.
• In Round #2 (February 7, 2015), IRCC issued 779 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 818 CRS points.
• In Round #3 (February 20, 2015), IRCC issued 849 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 808 CRS points.
• In Round #4 (February 27, 2015), IRCC issued 1187 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 735 CRS points.
• In Round #5 (March 20, 2015), IRCC issued 1620 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 481 CRS points.
• In Round #6 (March 27, 2015), IRCC issued 1637 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
• In Round #7 (April 10, 2015), IRCC issued 925 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 469 CRS points.
• In Round #8 (April 17, 2015), IRCC issued 715 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
• In Round #9 (May 22, 2015), IRCC issued 1361 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 755 CRS points.
• In Round #10 (June 12, 2015), IRCC issued 1501 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 482 CRS points.
• In Round #11 (June 26, 2015), IRCC issued 1575 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 469 CRS points.
• In Round #12 (July 10, 2015), IRCC issued 1516 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 463 CRS points.
• In Round #13 (July 17, 2015), IRCC issued 1581 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 451 CRS points.
• In Round #14 (August 7, 2015), IRCC issued 1402 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 471 CRS points.
• In Round #15 (August 21, 2015), IRCC issued 1523 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 456 CRS points.
• In Round #16 (September 8, 2015), IRCC issued 1517 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 459 CRS points.
• In Round #17 (September 18, 2015), IRCC issued 1545 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 450 CRS points.
• In Round #18 (October 2, 2015), IRCC issued 1530 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 450 CRS points.
• In Round #19 (October 23, 2015), IRCC issued 1502 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 489 CRS points.
• In Round #20 (November 13, 2015), IRCC issued 1506 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 484 CRS points.
• In Round #21 (November 27, 2015), IRCC issued 1559 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 472 CRS points.
• In Round #22 (December 4, 2015), IRCC issued 1451 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 461 CRS points.
• In Round #23 (December 18, 2015), IRCC issued 1503 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 460 CRS points.
• In Round #24 (January 6, 2016), IRCC issued 1463 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 461 CRS points.
• In Round #25 (January 13, 2016), IRCC issued 1518 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
• In Round #26 (January 27, 2016), IRCC issued 1468 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 457 CRS points.
• In Round #27 (February 10, 2016), IRCC issued 1505 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 459 CRS points.
• In Round #28 (February 24, 2016), IRCC issued 1484 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
• In Round #29 (March 9, 2016), IRCC issued 1013 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 473 CRS points.
• In Round #30 (March 23, 2016), IRCC issued 1014 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 470 CRS points.
• In Round #31 (April 6, 2016), IRCC issued 954 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 470 CRS points.
• In Round #32 (April 20, 2016), IRCC issued 1018 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 468 CRS points.
• In Round #33 (May 6, 2016), IRCC issued 799 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 534 CRS points.
• In Round #34 (May 18, 2016), IRCC issued 763 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 484 CRS points.
• In Round #35 (June 1, 2016), IRCC issued 762 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 483 CRS points.
• In Round #36 (June 15, 2016), IRCC issued 752 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 488 CRS points.
• In Round #37 (June 29, 2016), IRCC issued 773 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 482 CRS points.
• In Round #38 (July 13, 2016), IRCC issued 747 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 482 CRS points.
• In Round #39 (July 27, 2016), IRCC issued 755 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 488 CRS points.
• In Round #40 (August 10, 2016), IRCC issued 754 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 490 CRS points.
• In Round #41 (August 24, 2016), IRCC issued 750 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 538 CRS points.
• In Round #42 (September 7, 2016), IRCC issued 1,000 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 491 CRS points.
• In Round #43 (September 21, 2016), IRCC issued 1,288 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 483 CRS points.
• In Round #44 (October 12, 2016), IRCC issued 1,518 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 484 CRS points.

The lowest minimum CRS score that was previously eligible to receive an ITA was 450 points, which occurred in rounds 17 and 18.  However, the minimum CRS score subsequently rose to over 480 points in rounds 19 and 20.

This was still a low enough score for a candidate to be selected without a Labour Market Impact Assessment or a nomination under a provincial nominee program Express Entry stream.  However, many applicants were hoping that the minimum CRS score would continue to drop before the end of 2015; this clearly did not occur.

Fortunately, the minimum CRS score has dropped several times during 2016, to levels approaching rounds 19 and 20.  In rounds 25 and 28, the minimum CRS score dropped to as low as 453 points.  That said, the minimum CRS score also rose to as high as 538 points in round 41.  In the most recent round on October 12, 2016, the minimum CRS score was 484 points.

Since Express Entry began on January 1, 2015, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”) has issued several rounds of Invitations to Apply (“ITAs”).  An ITA allows a foreign national to submit their application for permanent residence under one of the following categories:

• The Federal Skilled Worker (“FSW”) Class;
• The Canadian Experience Class (“CEC”);
• The Federal Skilled Trades (“FST”) Class; or
• Members of the Provincial Nominee Class who fall within the Express Entry Stream of a Provincial Nominee Program (“PNP”).

Express Entry applicants are selected to receive an ITA based on how many points they are assigned under the Comprehensive Ranking System (“CRS”).

As of the date of this article, CIC has issued a total of 35 rounds of ITAs.  A summary of these Express Entry rounds appears below:

• In Round #1 (January 31, 2015), CIC issued 779 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 886 CRS points.
• In Round #2 (February 7, 2015), CIC issued 779 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 818 CRS points.
• In Round #3 (February 20, 2015), CIC issued 849 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 808 CRS points.
• In Round #4 (February 27, 2015), CIC issued 1187 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 735 CRS points.
• In Round #5 (March 20, 2015), CIC issued 1620 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 481 CRS points.
• In Round #6 (March 27, 2015), CIC issued 1637 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
• In Round #7 (April 10, 2015), CIC issued 925 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 469 CRS points.
• In Round #8 (April 17, 2015), CIC issued 715 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
• In Round #9 (May 22, 2015), CIC issued 1361 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 755 CRS points.
• In Round #10 (June 12, 2015), CIC issued 1501 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 482 CRS points.
• In Round #11 (June 26, 2015), CIC issued 1575 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 469 CRS points.
• In Round #12 (July 10, 2015), CIC issued 1516 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 463 CRS points.
• In Round #13 (July 17, 2015), CIC issued 1581 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 451 CRS points.
• In Round #14 (August 7, 2015), CIC issued 1402 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 471 CRS points.
• In Round #15 (August 21, 2015), CIC issued 1523 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 456 CRS points.
• In Round #16 (September 8, 2015), CIC issued 1517 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 459 CRS points.
• In Round #17 (September 18, 2015), CIC issued 1545 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 450 CRS points.
• In Round #18 (October 2, 2015), CIC issued 1530 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 450 CRS points.
• In Round #19 (October 23, 2015), CIC issued 1502 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 489 CRS points.
• In Round #20 (November 13, 2015), CIC issued 1506 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 484 CRS points.
• In Round #21 (November 27, 2015), CIC issued 1559 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 472 CRS points.
• In Round #22 (December 4, 2015), CIC issued 1451 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 461 CRS points.
• In Round #23 (December 18, 2015), CIC issued 1503 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 460 CRS points.
• In Round #24 (January 6, 2016), CIC issued 1463 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 461 CRS points.
• In Round #25 (January 13, 2016), CIC issued 1518 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
• In Round #26 (January 27, 2016), CIC issued 1468 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 457 CRS points.
• In Round #27 (February 10, 2016), CIC issued 1505 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 459 CRS points.
• In Round #28 (February 24, 2016), CIC issued 1484 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
• In Round #29 (March 9, 2016), CIC issued 1013 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 473 CRS points.
• In Round #30 (March 23, 2016), CIC issued 1014 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 470 CRS points.
• In Round #31 (April 6, 2016), CIC issued 954 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 470 CRS points.
• In Round #32 (April 20, 2016), CIC issued 1018 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 468 CRS points.
• In Round #33 (May 6, 2016), CIC issued 799 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 534 CRS points.
• In Round #34 (May 18, 2016), CIC issued 763 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 484 CRS points.
• In Round #35 (June 1, 2016), CIC issued 762 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 483 CRS points

The lowest minimum CRS score that was previously eligible to receive an ITA was 450 points, which occurred in rounds 17 and 18.  However, the minimum CRS score subsequently rose to over 480 points in rounds 19 and 20.

This was still a low enough score for a candidate to be selected without a Labour Market Impact Assessment or a nomination under a provincial nominee program Express Entry stream.  However, many applicants were hoping that the minimum CRS score would continue to drop before the end of 2015; this clearly did not occur.

Fortunately, the minimum CRS score has dropped several times during 2016, to levels approaching rounds 19 and 20.  In rounds 25 and 28, the minimum CRS score dropped to as low as 453 points.  That said, the minimum CRS score also rose to as high as 534 points in round 33.  In the most recent round on June 1, 2016, the minimum CRS score was 483 points.

Since Express Entry began on January 1, 2015, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”) has issued several rounds of Invitations to Apply (“ITAs”).  An ITA allows a foreign national to submit their application for permanent residence under one of the following categories:

• The Federal Skilled Worker (“FSW”) Class;
• The Canadian Experience Class (“CEC”);
• The Federal Skilled Trades (“FST”) Class; or
• Members of the Provincial Nominee Class who fall within the Express Entry Stream of a Provincial Nominee Program (“PNP”).

Express Entry applicants are selected to receive an ITA based on how many points they are assigned under the Comprehensive Ranking System (“CRS”).

As of the date of this article, CIC has issued a total of 26 rounds of ITAs.  A summary of these Express Entry rounds appears below:

• In Round #1 (January 31, 2015), CIC issued 779 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 886 CRS points.
• In Round #2 (February 7, 2015), CIC issued 779 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 818 CRS points.
• In Round #3 (February 20, 2015), CIC issued 849 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 808 CRS points.
• In Round #4 (February 27, 2015), CIC issued 1187 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 735 CRS points.
• In Round #5 (March 20, 2015), CIC issued 1620 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 481 CRS points.
• In Round #6 (March 27, 2015), CIC issued 1637 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
• In Round #7 (April 10, 2015), CIC issued 925 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 469 CRS points.
• In Round #8 (April 17, 2015), CIC issued 715 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
• In Round #9 (May 22, 2015), CIC issued 1361 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 755 CRS points.
• In Round #10 (June 12, 2015), CIC issued 1501 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 482 CRS points.
• In Round #11 (June 26, 2015), CIC issued 1575 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 469 CRS points.
• In Round #12 (July 10, 2015), CIC issued 1516 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 463 CRS points.
• In Round #13 (July 17, 2015), CIC issued 1581 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 451 CRS points.
• In Round #14 (August 7, 2015), CIC issued 1402 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 471 CRS points.
• In Round #15 (August 21, 2015), CIC issued 1523 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 456 CRS points.
• In Round #16 (September 8, 2015), CIC issued 1517 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 459 CRS points.
• In Round #17 (September 18, 2015), CIC issued 1545 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 450 CRS points.
• In Round #18 (October 2, 2015), CIC issued 1530 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 450 CRS points.
• In Round #19 (October 23, 2015), CIC issued 1502 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 489 CRS points.
• In Round #20 (November 13, 2015), CIC issued 1506 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 484 CRS points.
• In Round #21 (November 27, 2015), CIC issued 1559 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 472 CRS points.
• In Round #22 (December 4, 2015), CIC issued 1451 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 461 CRS points.
• In Round #23 (December 18, 2015), CIC issued 1503 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 460 CRS points.
• In Round #24 (January 6, 2016), CIC issued 1463 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 461 CRS points.
• In Round #25 (January 13, 2016), CIC issued 1518 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
• In Round #26 (January 27, 2016), CIC issued 1468 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 457 CRS points.

The lowest minimum CRS score that was previously eligible to receive an ITA was 450 points, which occurred in rounds 17 and 18.  However, the minimum CRS score subsequently rose to over 480 in the rounds 19 and 20.

This was still a low enough score for a candidate to be selected without a Labour Market Impact Assessment or a nomination under a provincial nominee program Express Entry stream.  However, many applicants were hoping that the minimum CRS score would continue to drop before the end of 2015; this clearly did not occur.

Fortunately, the minimum CRS score appears to be dropping again.  The last two rounds (rounds 25 and 26) have required minimum CRS scores (453 points and 457 points) that have approached the levels used in rounds 17 and 18.

Since Express Entry began on January 1, 2015, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”) has issued several rounds of Invitations to Apply (“ITAs”).  An ITA allows a foreign national to submit their application for permanent residence under one of the following categories:

• The Federal Skilled Worker (“FSW”) Class;
• The Canadian Experience Class (“CEC”);
• The Federal Skilled Trades (“FST”) Class; or
• Members of the Provincial Nominee Class who fall within the Express Entry Stream of a Provincial Nominee Program (“PNP”).

Express Entry applicants are selected to receive an ITA based on how many points they are assigned under the Comprehensive Ranking System (“CRS”).

As of the date of this article, CIC has issued  a total of 20 rounds of ITAs.  A summary of these Express Entry rounds appears below:

• In Round #1 (January 31, 2015), CIC issued 779 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 886 CRS points.
• In Round #2 (February 7, 2015), CIC issued 779 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 818 CRS points.
• In Round #3 (February 20, 2015), CIC issued 849 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 808 CRS points.
• In Round #4 (February 27, 2015), CIC issued 1187 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 735 CRS points.
• In Round #5 (March 20, 2015), CIC issued 1620 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 481 CRS points.
• In Round #6 (March 27, 2015), CIC issued 1637 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
• In Round #7 (April 10, 2015), CIC issued 925 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 469 CRS points.
• In Round #8 (April 17, 2015), CIC issued 715 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.
• In Round #9 (May 22, 2015), CIC issued 1361 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 755 CRS points.
• In Round #10 (June 12, 2015), CIC issued 1501 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 482 CRS points.
• In Round #11 (June 26, 2015), CIC issued 1575 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 469 CRS points.
• In Round #12 (July 10, 2015), CIC issued 1516 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 463 CRS points.
• In Round #13 (July 17, 2015), CIC issued 1581 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 451 CRS points.
• In Round #14 (August 7, 2015), CIC issued 1402 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 471 CRS points.
• In Round #15 (August 21, 2015), CIC issued 1523 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 456 CRS points.
• In Round #16 (September 8, 2015), CIC issued 1517 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 459 CRS points.
• In Round #17 (September 18, 2015), CIC issued 1545 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 450 CRS points.
• In Round #18 (October 2, 2015), CIC issued 1530 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 450 CRS points.
• In Round #19 (October 23, 2015), CIC issued 1502 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 489 CRS points.
• In Round #20 (November 13, 2015), CIC issued 1506 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 484 CRS points.

Although the lowest CRS score eligible to receive an ITA has been 450 points (which occurred in rounds 17 and 18, the minimum CRS score has risen to over 480 in the last two rounds (rounds 19 and 20).  This is still a low enough score for a candidate to be selected without a Labour Market Impact Assessment or a nomination under a provincial nominee program Express Entry stream.  However, many applicants were hoping that the minimum CRS score would continue to drop for the remainder of the year; this clearly did not occur.

Overview

As previously discussed, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”) implemented its Express Entry system on January 1, 2015.  Applicants seeking permanent residence under one of the following classes must now submit an Express Entry Profile and then wait until they receive an Invitation to Apply (“ITA”) before they will be permitted to seek permanent residence:

• The Federal Skilled Worker (“FSW”) Class;
• The Canadian Experience Class (“CEC”);
• The Federal Skilled Trades (“FST”) Class; or
• Members of the Provincial Nominee Class who fall within the Express Entry Stream of a Provincial Nominee Program (“PNP”).

The fourth class describes a foreign national who has received a nomination certificate from a Provincial PNP.  A PNP nomination gives the foreign national an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (“CRS”) points under Express Entry, which makes it much more likely that they will receive an ITA quickly.

When the CIC Express Entry Program began on January 1, 2015, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (the “OINP”), formerly known as the Ontario PNP, still did not have an Express Entry Stream in place.  However, the OINP has now announced two Express Entry Streams: (1) the Human Capital Priorities Stream, and (2) the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream.

The Ontario Human Capital Priorities Stream is for English-speaking skilled workers who want to live and work permanently in Ontario. The Ontario French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream is for French-Speaking skilled workers who have strong English language abilities and who want to live and work permanently in Ontario.

Both Ontario Express Entry Streams require a potential applicant to first qualify under CIC’s Express Entry pool, based on either the FSW Class or the CEC.  This means that they must submit an Express Entry profile with CIC and be accepted into the pool of Express Entry candidates, under either the FSW Class or CEC.

Applicants also may not apply directly to the OINP under either of the Ontario Express Entry Streams.  They must first wait until they receive a Notification of Interest (“NOI”) from Ontario.

Refugee claimants currently in Canada are also not eligible to seek a nomination under either of the Ontario Express Entry Streams.

Provincial Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply under either the Human Capital Priorities Stream or the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream, applicants must satisfy the following provincial criteria:

Work Experience

All applicants require a minimum level of work experience:

• If an applicant chooses to be assessed against the FSW criteria, he or she must have a minimum of one year of continuous and full-time employment (1,560 hours or more) or an equal amount in continuous part-time paid work experience in a National Occupation Classification (“NOC”) level 0, A, or B occupation in the past five years from the date of the PT Notification of Interest from Ontario.  The one year minimum of continuous and full-time (or equivalent continuous part-time) employment must have been completed in one specific NOC occupation.
• If an applicant chooses to be assessed against the CEC criteria, he or she must have a minimum of one year of cumulative and full-time employment (1,560 hours or more) or an equal amount in part-time paid work experience in a NOC 0, A, or B occupation in Canada in the past three years from the date of the PT notification of interest from Ontario.

Education

All applicants must have a Canadian Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. degree or an Educational Credential Assessment (“ECA”) report produced by a designated organization indicating that their foreign education is the equivalent of a Canadian Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. degree.

Language Requirements

For the Human Capital Priorities Stream, all applicants must have a language level of Canadian Language Benchmark (“CLB”) 7 or above in all language competencies (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) in either English or French.  For the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream, all applicants must have a French-language level of CLB 7 or above in all language competencies (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) AND an English-language level of CLB 6 in all competencies.

Acceptable tests for language ability are:

• International English Language Testing (“IELTS”) [General Training Test only] or Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (“CELPIP”) [General Test only] for English testing; or
• Test d’Evaluation de Français (“TEF”) for French testing.

Express Entry Ranking

All applicants must score a minimum of 400 CRS points in CIC’s Express Entry system. The applicant’s CRS score must remain at or above 400 during both the Ontario nomination processing stage and at the federal permanent residence processing stage.

Settlement Funds

All applicants must possess sufficient funds and/or income to cover settlement costs in Ontario.  Funds must be unencumbered, readily transferable in a convertible currency, and supported by bank statements. Income may be demonstrated from ongoing employment in Ontario or a valid job offer in Ontario (the applicant must be able to legally work in Ontario).

Intention to Reside in Ontario

All applicants must intend to reside in Ontario, as demonstrated by a statement of intent and indication of ties to Ontario.

Additional Requirements

Additionally, if an applicant chooses to qualify under the FSW criteria, they will also be assessed against CIC’s six selection factors to ensure that they meet the minimum requirement of 67 points of assessment under the FSW Class.

Selection and Processing of Ontario Express Entry Stream Applicants

To determine which candidates will receive a NOI, the OINP searches CIC’s Express Entry pool and identifies potential candidates who meet the criteria of the two Ontario Express Entry Streams.  If it identifies a desirable applicant in CIC’s Express Entry pool, the applicant will receive an NOI from the OINP, through CIC’s web portal.

The NOI invites the applicant to apply for nomination under the one of the two Express Entry Streams.  Upon receipt of this NOI, the applicant will have 45 days to apply for a nomination certificate.

If the application is approved, the applicant will receive notification from the OINP.  The Applicant will have 30 days to accept the nomination from Ontario, within CIC’s Express Entry system.

A nomination from the OINP will give the applicant an additional 600 CRS points (once their express Entry Profile has been updated) and they should receive an ITA from CIC soon after.  Once the applicant receives an ITA from CIC, they will have 60 days to apply for permanent residence.

I previously reported that, since Express Entry began on January 1, 2015, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”) had issued four rounds of Invitations to Apply (“ITAs”).  An ITA allows a foreign national to submit their application for permanent residence under one of the following categories:

• The Federal Skilled Worker (“FSW”) Class;
• The Canadian Experience Class (“CEC”);
• The Federal Skilled Trades (“FST”) Class; or
• Members of the Provincial Nominee Class who fall within the Express Entry Stream of a Provincial Nominee Program (“PNP”).

Express Entry applicants were selected to receive an ITA based on how many points they were assigned under the Comprehensive Ranking System (“CRS”).

CIC has now issued two additional rounds of ITAs, bringing the total to six since Express Entry commenced.  A summary of all six Express Entry rounds to date appears below:

• In Round #1 (January 31, 2015), CIC issued 779 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 886 CRS points.
• In Round #2 (February 7, 2015), CIC issued 779 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 818 CRS points.
• In Round #3 (February 20, 2015), CIC issued 849 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 808 CRS points.
• In Round #4 (February 27, 2015), CIC issued 1187 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 735 CRS points.
• In Round #5 (March 20, 2015), CIC issued 1620 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 481 CRS points.
• In Round #6 (March 27, 2015), CIC issued 1637 ITAs.  Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 453 CRS points.

CIC is clearly increasing the number of ITAs that it issues in each round and is also lowering the minimum CRS score that applies in each round.  In fact, during the last two rounds, the lowest eligible CRS score dropped below 600.  This means that at least some of the ITAs issued during the last two rounds were sent to applicants who did not have arranged employment or a nomination certificate issued under an express entry stream.  This is a welcome trend, which I hope will continue for the balance of the year.

I previously reported that, since Express Entry began on January 1, 2015, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC”) had issued two rounds of Invitations to Apply (“ITAs”).  An ITA allows a foreign national to submit their application for permanent residence under one of the following categories:

• The Federal Skilled Worker (“FSW”) Class;
• The Canadian Experience Class (“CEC”);
• The Federal Skilled Trades (“FST”) Class; or
• Members of the Provincial Nominee Class who fall within the Express Entry Stream of a Provincial Nominee Program (“PNP”).

Express Entry applicants were selected to receive an ITA based on how many points they were assigned under the Comprehensive Ranking System (“CRS”).

Since my previous report, CIC has now issued two additional rounds of ITAs, bringing the total to four since Express Entry commenced.  A summary of all four Express Entry rounds to date appears below:

• In Round #1 (January 31, 2015), CIC issued 779 ITAs. Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 886 CRS points.
• In Round #2 (February 7, 2015), CIC issued 779 ITAs. Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 818 CRS points.
• In Round #3 (February 20, 2015), CIC issued 849 ITAs. Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 808 CRS points.
• In Round #4 (February 27, 2015), CIC issued 1187 ITAs. Applicants in this round were required to receive at least 735 CRS points.

It would appear as though CIC is slowing increasing the number of ITAs that it issues in each round.  It is also lowering the minimum CRS score that applies in each round.

This is definitely a step in the right direction.  However, the total number of ITAs being issued is still relatively small, given the fact that Express Entry applies to all cases filed under the FSW, CEC, FST, and Express Entry Stream.  Also, even with a minimum score of 735 CRS points, an applicant cannot receive an ITA unless he or she either: (1) has arranged employment, or (2) has a nomination certificate issued under the Express Entry stream of a PNP.

Hopefully, future rounds will allow for a greater number of ITAs and a minimum score below 600 CRS points.