Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) held two Alberta Express Entry stream draws in a gap of just one week and a total of 471 candidates were invited in both these draws. The first draw was held on July 17, which invited a total of 251 Express Entry candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 400. At the same time, the minimum CRS requirement for the second draw held on July 24 was only 300 and a total of 220 Notifications of Interest (NoIs) were issued in the draw.
The Alberta Express Entry stream allows AINP to search for candidates who meet the eligibility requirements of the stream in the federal Express Entry pool and invite them to apply for provincial nomination. AINP held its first Express Entry stream draw on July 6, 2018. Ever since, a total of 26 draws have been conducted so far and 5,063 NOIs have been issued.
Eligibility requirements for Alberta Express Entry Stream
In order to be considered for provincial nomination through Alberta Express Entry stream, the candidates must first create an Express Entry profile. Though the candidate does not require a job offer, he/she must have work experience in an occupation that supports the economic development and diversification priorities of Alberta. The candidate must also have a minimum CRS score of 300.
Candidates who meet any of the following conditions get priority in Alberta Express Entry stream draws:
- a job offer and/or work experience in Alberta;
- a degree from a Canadian post-secondary institution and a valid job offer; or
- a parent, child or sibling already living in Alberta.
At the same time, there are also some factors that decrease the chances of an Express Entry candidate receiving an NoI from Alberta. One such factor is the expiry date of the candidate’s Express Entry profile. Chances are less for a candidate to receive NoI if his/her Express Entry profile expires within three months from the date of the draw. Likewise, it is less likely for a candidate to receive an NoI if his/her occupation is listed in the Alberta Opportunity Stream Ineligible Occupations list.
Alberta Express Entry stream
The Alberta Express Entry stream gives a golden opportunity to those Express Entry candidates whose low CRS scores prevent them from obtaining a Canada PR visa. Alberta has invited candidates with CRS score as low as 300 on four occasions in 2019. In three draws held in 2019, the minimum CRS score was 301, while in another one, the cut-off score was 302. The highest minimum CRS score in an AINP Express Entry draw so far is 425. These scores are so low compared to the minimum cut-off scores in federal Express Entry draws. In the latest Canada Express Entry draw held on July 24, the minimum CRS score wasas 459.
The Express Entry candidates who are nominated by Alberta for permanent residence in Canada receive 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score points that guarantee them an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada in the subsequent Express Entry draw.
Do you think low CRS score would bring down your chances for Canada migration? Don’t worry! The expert immigration consultants of CanApprove would help you choose the right Canada migration pathway that matches your qualifications and aspirations. Contact us for more details