CIC's new Express Entry system

Yesterday the Government of Canada released their new Ministerial Instructions regarding the new Express Entry system for selecting permanent resident applicants that fall under four economic classes: the Federal Skilled Workers Class, the Federal Skilled Trades Class, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Provincial Nominee Class. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is claiming that the requirements to qualify for each of these classes has not changed, only the way CIC selects the applicants. That being said, given the new point system (described below), I am of the opinion that it has created a de facto change to the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), namely that these applicant require a qualifying job offer. Currently CEC applicants do not require a job offer to qualify under this class.

CIC has several webpages that help explain the Express Entry system, which may be of interest to people who may qualify under one of the four economic classes:

• Express Entry

• Express Entry Q & A

Without going into too much detail, the new system for selecting applicants is based on the number of points the applicant receives under the new Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

The CRS is comprised of three components:

• core human capital factors (of which some points can be eared if the applicant has an accompanying spouse or common-law partner);

• skill transferability factors; and

• factors relating to a provincial nomination or a qualifying offer of arranged employment.

There is a total of 1,200 points, 600 of which is made up of the core human capital factors and the skill transferability factors combined. The remaining 600 points is awarded for a provincial nomination or a qualifying job offer. These 600 points for a job offer or a nomination are critical; during an information session on Express Entry presented by CIC, the speaker made it clear that once an applicant has a job offer or a provincial nomination, they'll receive enough points to be selected at the next draw from the pool of applicants.

I have prepared a matrix (see below) of how the points are awarded for the Core Human Capital Factors and the Skill Transferability Factors, to assist people in gaging how many points they have without the provincial nomination or the qualifying job offer. Note however, since the Express Entry system is new, immigration practitioners are not 100% sure how many points are required in order to receive an invitation to apply. It unclear whether anyone with less than 600 points would be selected - but only time will tell.

Finally, even if an applicant qualifies under one of the four economic classes, and receives an Invitation to Apply, the applicant still must meet the admissibility requirements under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, namely their police checks and medical exams.

Express Entry points matrix. Disclaimer: This Express Entry points matrix is not intended to replace legal advice, and no solicitor-client relationship arises from the use of this document. Please contact an immigration legal practitioner in order to receive proper legal advice tailored to your situation.

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