Canada conducted its fifth Express Entry draw of the year Wednesday, issuing 3,000 invitations to apply for permanent residency. The lowest qualifying Comprehensive Ranking System score was 456.

The number of invitations was the same as in the previous two draws, conducted Feb. 7 and Feb. 21. The minimum qualifying score was up by 14 points.

Wednesday’s draw was the ninth since Canada instituted a new tiebreaking rule, where candidates with the same Comprehensive Ranking System score are ranked by the order in which their profiles were submitted.

Date Invitations Minimum Score
Nov. 8, 2017 2,000 458
Nov. 15, 2017 2,750 439
Dec. 6, 2017 2,750 452
Dec. 20, 2017 2,750 446
Jan.10, 2018 2,750 446
Jan. 24, 2018 2,750 444
Feb. 7, 2018 3,000 442
Feb. 21, 2018 3,000 442
March 14 3,000 456

BAL Analysis: Canada continues to accept a high number of individuals for permanent residency. The lowest qualifying score was up from other recent draws, but it was on par with minimum scores in 2017, when the country issued more Express Entry invitations than in the previous two years combined.

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

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