The New Express Entry Drawing: What’s the Passing Score?

On September 14, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 3,250 invitations to apply for the next Express Entry, the sixth since the July 6 renewal of all programs.

The minimum Comprehensive Rating System (CRS) score was 510. No specific programs were identified in the draw, meaning that invitations were issued to applicants from Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). The Express Entry Program is one of the most prominent ways to immigrate to Canada.

Prior to the last drawing on August 31, the number of applicants who received an ITA increased by 250 with each drawing. Last week there was a significant increase of 500, and the latest drawing is a continuation of this trend. There has also been a gradual decline in the minimum CRS score, which loses eight to nine points with each draw. However, this draw differs from the others in that the minimum score has dropped by only six points. The minimum CRS score in the July 6 drawing was 557.

The IRCC has suspended all Express Entry draws for 18 months, beginning in December 2020. During that time, only applicants eligible for CEC or PNP permanent residency were invited to apply. However, in September 2021, the CEC drawings were also suspended.

Canadian-Ukrainian Emergency Travel Permit (CUAET)

Canada has simplified the conditions of visa entry for Ukrainian citizens.

The CUAET visa allows Ukrainian citizens, in connection with the war in Ukraine, to obtain a visa for three years.

Ukrainian citizens and their families.

Family members are defined as:

  • spouse or civil partner of a citizen of Ukraine
  • their dependent child
  • dependent child of their spouse/civil partner or
  • dependent child of their dependent child

Can apply for a visitor visa and can be allowed to stay in Canada for a period of three years, as opposed to the standard 6-month authorized stay for regular visitors.

An electronic visa application will be processed within fourteen days of receipt of a complete application for standard, non-complex cases.

Ukrainian citizens are exempt from Canada’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements but must meet all other public health travel requirements, such as quarantine and testing.

With few exceptions, all travelers to Canada, including those arriving under CUAET, must also use ArriveCAN.

All Ukrainians and their family members most of their application and processing fees, including visa application fees, biometric data collection fees, work and study permit application fees, visitor extension fees, and fees for the renewal of work and study permits.

CUAET is for Ukrainians and their family members who wish to temporarily come to Canada due to the crisis caused by President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and then return home when it is safe to do so. This is not a stream of refugee immigration.

Unlike refugee resettlement applications and permanent residence flows, there are no limits on the number of visas, work, and study applications we will accept under CUAET.

Ukrainians and their families working and studying in Canada will be able to gain valuable Canadian work or educational experience that will help them succeed in the future if they ultimately decide to seek permanent residence through IRCC immigration programs and streams.

For more information about CUAET fill out the form below.