IRCC Invited Every Single CEC Candidates In Saturday’s Express Entry Draw

On a historic, Saturday’s express entry draw, Canada invited every single person qualified for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) to apply for permanent residence on Feb. 13.

That Saturday, Canada’s immigration department, IRCC, invited 27,332 CEC candidates to apply, which is nearly seven times more Invitations to Apply (ITAs) sent out than the previous record of 5,000. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off was Seventy-five (75), another historic record-breaker, although the average CRS score of invited candidates was 415, IRCC said.

The tie-break rule was reportedly set aside in this draw, according to a spokesperson. This means that there was no CEC-qualified candidate in the pool with a score of Seventy-five (75) or lower who lodged their profile before September 12, 2020.

It is too early to say if the massive draw has caused a boost in the number of new Express Entry profiles, especially for individuals who are in Canada and maybe qualified for the CEC.

However, we do know that Canada considers candidates who are already in Canada because of the high immigration targets and travel restrictions.

Eligibility Requirements for Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

In order to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class, you need to lodge a profile with the Express Entry system. You will then get a score based on your age, work experience, education, language ability in English or French, and other factors.

IRCC will then invite you to apply for Canadian permanent residence if you meet the basic eligibility criteria for the CEC.

Some of the key eligibility requirements include the following:

• having 1,560 hours of paid Canada work experience in a skilled occupation, which is equivalent to one year of full-time work or two years of part-time work;
• having a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of Seven (7) for professional or managerial occupations (NOC 0 or A), or CLB five (5) for technical jobs and skilled trades (NOC B).

You also need to be admissible to Canada and be residing outside Quebec province, which has its own immigration system.

About Ninety (90) percent of CEC-eligible candidates are already residing and working in Canada, even though it is not an eligibility requirement. But, with the ongoing travel restrictions in place, it is difficult for many candidates abroad to cross the border to Canada.

What To Do After Receiving Invitation To Canada?

Once you receive an invitation to apply (ITA), you will be given a total of ninety (90) days to lodge a complete and accurate application. Use this time wisely. If you do not submit an application within ninety (90) days, your invitation to Apply will expire. This means that you may have to lodge a new Express Entry profile and hope to get another invitation to apply.

The first step to take in submitting your application for permanent residence is to prepare all your required documentation. Your invitation to apply will tell you whether you have been opted to apply for permanent residence via the Canada Experience Class or some other Express Entry-managed program.

The Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will provide you with a personalized document checklist through the Express Entry portal, depending on what immigration program you are registering for. Typically, candidates will be required to lodge their application with the following documents:

• civil status documents, like a birth certificate for instance;
• language tests;
• educational certificates or documents;
• work experience documents;
• medicals;
• police certificate;
• proof of funds;
• photos and other documents.

A police clearance certificate is required for any country you stayed in for six consecutive months or more, in the last ten (10) years.

In addition, you will need to have a medical exam from a medical doctor that is approved by IRCC. If you want to learn about the Canada-approved physicians, visit the IRCC website.

Candidates usually have to give biometrics (fingerprints and photographs). But, if you have given your biometrics in the last ten years as part of an application for a visitor visa, study, or work permit, you don’t need to give your biometrics again. This is part of a temporary measure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

You may also be asked to provide additional documents depending on your specific situations. It is a good idea to visit your personalized checklists to make sure you prepare all required documents.

Once you have completed your medical exam, given your biometrics, and uploaded all required documents, you are ready to lodge your application.

Processing times can vary. The immigration department aims to complete eighty (80) percent of applications within six months, though they admit there may be delays right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

IRCC may contact you for a brief interview before making a final decision on your application. If your application is successful, you will be sent your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).

IRCC will then tell you what to do next. You may have to go to a port of entry where you will be asked to provide your COPR and show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family.