Latest updates to know to apply for Express Entry Canada

The Express Entry Program is the system for managing Canadian immigration applications for 3 economic immigration programs:

• The Canadian Experience Class - CEC
• The Federal Skilled Worker Program - FSWP
• The Federal Skilled Trades Program - FSTP

Candidates in the Express Entry pool also have the option to apply for PNP - Provincial Nominee Program streams that are linked with Express Entry. CRS - Comprehensive Ranking System is a points-based system used for ranking the profiles of the candidates in the pool. Those who secure the highest rankings are offered the ITAs – Invitations to Apply and must file a Canada PR Visa application within 60 days.

Here are some latest updates if you are considering moving to Canada and apply for Express Entry Canada:

Distance education provisionally qualifies for Express Entry

In the last 2 years, many overseas students had to complete their higher studies online owing to the curbs resulting from the pandemic. IRCC has taken affirmative action in response to this challenge. It announced recently those students who completed their Canadian study programs online during 2020 March and 2022 August can utilize their learning credentials for CRS scores. This implies that such students can utilize these credentials for educational credentials while uploading their profile in Express Entry online.

The provision will be valid temporarily as curbs due to the pandemic are being relaxed globally.

Usually, students do not qualify for CRS points for their educational credentials if 50% of the study program is completed via distance learning. This criterion has now been relaxed provisionally by IRCC to assist students affected during the pandemic.

The students who have earned a Certificate, Diploma, or Degree from Canada by completing any portion of their study or training programs can now qualify for CRS points if they fully completed their program:

• Via distance learning
• From the overseas exterior of Canada
• Visa part-time study/training program

IRCC has already sent letters to candidates in the Express Entry pool informing them to update their educational credentials in their profiles online. 3 new questions have now been added in the section educational history that needs answers from candidates or they risk a lesser score in CRS. The queries ask candidates regarding the percentage of full-time, study in Canada and in-person study they required for obtaining the educational credentials.

PGWP holders with expired permits can apply for fresh open Work Permit

The Express Entry ITAs for CEC candidates were paused for diverse reasons from 2021 September to 2022 July. As a result, several Post-Graduation Work Permit holders lost their Work Permit validity. They were not able to file applications for a Bridging Open Work Permit due to the absence of CEC invitations. This is during the processing of their Canada PR Visa applications by IRCC.

Special initiatives have now been announced by IRCC to assist PGWP holders in getting 18 months extension for their Work Permit status if their permits had expired. The aim is to help such candidates in transitioning to Permanent Resident status allowing them to work while waiting for processing. It chiefly intends to accommodate CEC candidates who were unable to apply for Express Entry Canada after September 2021.

The last CEC draw was held by IRCC on 21 September 2021 and the draws were later paused for these candidates mostly PGWP holders. The reason was to address the huge backlog accumulated in immigration applications. It was so voluminous that IRCC could not process the applications in the standard 6 months' time.

All program draws in Express Entry have now been resumed from 6 July 2022.

Work Permits for TR to Canada PR applicants

Applicants of Canada Permanent Resident status from Temporary Resident status whose applications are yet to be decided can also file applications for Open Work Permit. This provision makes sure that such applicants do not lose their work rights while waiting for the decision on their PR Visa application.

IRCC has said that the processing of PR from TR applications will require some time. These applicants can now obtain an Open Work Permit through an application whose validity would end on 31 December 2024. Such applicants are required to have a passport having validity till the aforesaid date.

The Immigration Department has also said that nearly 2500 PR from TR status applicants have already obtained an open Work Permit through this provision. The validity of these Work Permits expires on 31 December 2022. These Visa holders will be soon sent an e-mail notification specifying the option to further extend the validity of their Work Permits.

Nationwide Visas is the leading ICCRC Registered Consultants in Hyderabad and India for the Canada PR Visa process. We offer you the expertise of seasoned Immigration Consultants who will offer you exhaustive profile evaluation and subsequent suitable immigration solutions.