IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Canada conducted its 23rd Express Entry draw of the year Wednesday, issuing 2,801 invitations to apply for permanent residency. The lowest qualifying score was 438.

What does the change mean? The number of invitations was on par with the last two draws after dipping slightly in the Sept. 6 draw. The low minimum qualifying score of 438, however, indicates that a wide array of candidates is being invited to apply for permanent residence.

Date Invitations Score   Date Invitations Score
Jan. 3 2,902 468   May 25* 143 775
Jan. 11 3,334 459   May 25** 400 199
Jan. 25 3,508 453   May 31 3,877 413
Feb. 8 3,664 447   June 28 3,409 449
Feb. 22 3,611 441   July 12 3,202 440
March 1 3,884 434   Aug. 2 3,264 441 
March 24 3,749 441   Aug. 9 2,991 433
April 5 3,753 431   Aug. 23 3,035 434
April 12 3,923 423   Sept. 6 2,772 435
April 19 3,665 415   Sept. 20 2,871 433
May 4 3,796 423   Oct. 4 2,801 438
May 17 3,687 415  

*PNP nominees only
**Federal Skilled Trades Program applicants only.

BAL Analysis: Canada is continuing its trend of issuing a high number of invitations for permanent residency. The government has issued more than 70,000 invitations so far this year, more than the number of invitations issued in all of 2016 and 2015 combined.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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