For the new invitation round, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) only invited Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates who had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) of at least 754.As a result, the minimum score was relatively high, as PNP candidates receive an automatic 600 points when their nomination is received. Without the nomination, the lowest-scoring candidates would have had only 154 points.
Candidates invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada now have 60 days to do so.
IRCC invited 1,047 PNP candidates to apply for Canadian immigration in the previous round of invitations.
There has not been an Express Entry draw for Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) candidates since December 2020, and since September 2021 for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates.
The Immigration Minister previously stated that draws for these candidates would resume shortly. No date has been released publicly. CIC News reached out to IRCC for comment.
The Express Entry candidates in Canada who do not have provincial nominations fear that without an opportunity to apply they will have to apply for a new work permit, leave their jobs, or even leave the country.
When Express Entry candidates apply for permanent residence, they are eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) that allows them to continue working in Canada while their application is being processed.
Express Entry candidates who have entered the pool from outside of Canada could be faced with expiring language test results, meaning they would have to take another language test in order to maintain their eligibility.