Interview: Immigration Minister Hints Resuming Canada Express Entry Draws for Skilled Workers

Here are a few highlights from a discussion on Canadian immigration between the Federal Minister Sean Fraser and the president and CEO of the Business Council of Canada, Goldy Hyder. The spotlight of this discussion was the hint at resuming Canada Express Entry draws for candidates qualifying under Canada Experience Class Program candidate “in the near term”. The federal department is looking into how to make the Express Entry system more flexible. 

“We do need to resume, in the near future, draws for federal skilled workers,” remarked Minister Sean Fraser. The recently released immigration levels plan for 2022-24 restores the balance of Canada Express Entry draws by promising a record intake number of federal skilled workers, including through the Canadian Experience Class, to apply for Canada permanent residency over the next three years. 

Take this free assessment online to determine your eligibility to apply for Canada permanent residency. 

Canada Express Entry Draws in Recent Times

Since its introduction in 2015, Canada Express Entry draws have remained the No.1 pathway for permanent residency. Several foreign skilled workers with no study or work experience in Canada can qualify for Canada PR through the Express Entry system. 

Even though the pandemic significantly affected the intake levels, Canada Express Entry draws reinvented itself to target over 110,000 in 2021 for Canada PR. IRCC went about targeting temporary residents who either qualified under Canada Experience Class or under any one of the Provincial Nominee Programs for Canada permanent residency via Express Entry. 

Since September last year, IRCC has only been holding PNP-only Canada Express Entry draws, ignoring Federal Skilled Worker and Canada Experience Class program candidates. All the invited candidates in Canada Express Entry PNP-draw have demonstrated their connection to a province or territory. It is through familial ties, work experience, or study experience in that province or territory. 

As of February 1, about 64,890 FSWP and CEC candidates are waiting for decisions on their immigration applications.

Experts are of the view that the immigration levels in Canada will only increase in the coming years. In fact, Canada is aiming to admit more than 800,000 economic-class immigrants through the likes of Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Programs, Quebec immigration, among other pathways over the next three years.  

Proposed Changes in Canada Express Entry System

Minister is looking to add more flexibility to the Express Entry system. He proposed solutions that the Express Entry system could solve like: 

• short-term needs including welcoming people into smaller communities, 
• sectors in high demand, and 
• “people who are coming from a particular region that has the kind of educational institutions that will train the workers we need in strategically important sectors.”

Fraser had previously hinted that occupation-specific Express Entry draws. It is still under consultation. Expanding pathways to permanent residence for international students and temporary foreign workers through Express Entry is at the top of the list of priorities prescribed by the new mandate letter. 

Simplify Canada Permanent Residency with CanApprove

Immigration aspirants choose Canada because of its direct permanent residence pathway. A PR invitation through the provincial nomination route is not a direct pathway, however, is very effective to secure your chances of applying for Canada PR. 

Any prospective candidate who seeks to obtain permanent residence in Canada must register on Canada Express Entry online portal. 

All the registered profiles are then assessed and ranked based on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). 

Such profiles are evaluated on a total of 1200 points. The human capital criteria like 

• age, 
• education, 
• work experience outside Canada, 
• language proficiency in English/French, 
• spouse adaptability, 
• Canadian study experience, etc. are considered for evaluation purposes.

A certified consultant can offer immigration documentation & counselling assistance. CanApprove as a certified immigration consultant by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Canada (CICC) has been serving thousands of clients for the last 20+ years. We also have tie-ups with 500+ institutions for your study abroad programs in Canada. Our job search assistance and customization of profiles can match your work skills with a suitable employer in Canada.

Book your free appointment with CanApprove to learn more about your chances of qualifying for immigration to Canada.