Canada Migrants to Get More Invitations from CIC

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) announced further widening of the Express Entry scheme for 2016, leading to more invitations issued for people to become Permanent Residents of Canada.

Express Entry means potential migrants to Canada holding enough points to qualify for Canadian migration are pooled together and with CIC making regular draws to select successful candidates. Successful candidates are offered an Invitation to Apply, with just 60 days allowed to submit an application for permanent residence in Canada.

At a meeting in mid-December 2016, CIC announced the points required to qualify for Express Entry would be lowered, with larger numbers of candidates being offered Invitation to Apply as well. The most recent draw for Express Entry took place on 4 December 2015, with a point requirement of 461, which amounted to an 11 percent points decrease from the preceding draw.

The Invitation to Apply consists of seven different forms to complete, which can be a little off-putting for some potential migrants to Canada. There have been some declines of Invitations recently, and the 60 day deadline for completing the applications may be difficult for some to achieve. Where candidates have substantial history or previous marriages to document, it's often a good idea to ask for legal advice at the point the Invitation to Apply is received.

When all documentation is complete and candidates have been advised they are successful in achieving the status of permanent resident in Canada, a Permanent Resident (PR) Card will be issued, for accessing services.