Alberta issues 121 invitations to Express Entry candidates

Immigration candidates with a profile in Canada’s Express Entry system were the focus of new invitations to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence from the province of Alberta. (File Photo: Mariano Mantel/Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0)

Immigration candidates with a profile in Canada’s Express Entry system were the focus of new invitations to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence from the province of Alberta.

Alberta issued 121 Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to Express Entry stream candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores as low as 400 in its latest draw, which took place August 15.

This was the second draw of August through its Alberta Express Entry Stream, which allows the province to search the federal Express Entry system for candidates who meet the stream’s eligibility requirements.

An earlier draw on August 7 issued 35 invitations to candidates with Express Entry CRS scores as low as 352.

In order to be considered for a nomination through the Alberta Express Entry Stream, as well as many other Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), the first step is to create an Express Entry profile.

No job offer or previous work experience in Alberta is required to be eligible for the Alberta Express Entry Stream. However, applicants should be working in an occupation that supports the province’s economic development and diversification priorities. The province does not provide a list of eligible occupations.

The AINP says it may give priority to candidates with:

• a job offer and/or work experience in Alberta;
• a degree from a Canadian post-secondary institution and a valid job offer; or
• a parent, child or sibling already living in Alberta.

The AINP has held 28 draws issuing a grand total of 5,503 NOIs since the Alberta Express Entry Stream’s creation just over a year ago.

Express Entry candidates who receive a NOI from Alberta can apply for a provincial nomination. Those approved for a nomination receive an additional 600 points towards their CRS score, effectively guaranteeing an invitation in a subsequent Express Entry system draw.

So far in 2019 3,868 nomination certificates have been issued to Express Entry candidates wanting to start a new life in Canada’s westmost Prairie Province.

Low CRS scores

Alberta’s Express Entry Stream usually selects candidates with CRS scores that are much lower than those drawn through the Express Entry system itself.

Alberta has selected Express Entry candidates with CRS scores as low as 300 on four occasions in 2019. Three draws had a minimum CRS score of 301 and one other had a cut-off CRS score of 302.

By comparison, the lowest cut-off score in the 14 all-program federal Express Entry draw so far in 2019 was 438 and the most recent cut-off score through Express Entry was 466.

What is the federal Express Entry system?

Canada’s Express Entry system manages applications for three of Canada’s main economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Class, the Federal Skilled Trades Class and the Canadian Experience Class.

Candidates who are eligible for these programs are entered into the Express Entry pool and are given a CRS score based on their age, education, work experience, and proficiency in English or French, among other factors.

Each draw selects a set number of the highest-scoring candidates and invites them to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

To be considered for a provincial nomination through the Alberta Express Entry Stream, the first step is to submit a profile to the Express Entry pool.

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