Alberta PNPs add lower CRS scores to its attractions

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirements at federal and provincial levels have been garnering more attention of candidates the world over. Their intention to migrate to Canada has become easier with this trend. Even during the COVID-19 crisis, Canada has kept its immigration programs going to meet the need for skilled workers.

Alberta has proven to be a potential player in the provincial immigration scene.  In April 2020 itself, the province has conducted 2 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws. These draws have asked for qualifying CRS scores in the 300s range. An interesting observation has been the decreasing CRS score requirements. Between the 2 draws that has already happened, the scores needed has come down from 381 to 353. For those who wish to live and work in Canada, this has been a motivating trend.

While 120 Express Entry candidates were sent invitations for provincial nominations on April 1, 2020, 200 candidates were invited on April 14, 2020. The candidates in the April 1 draw were chosen with their profiles in the Express Entry pool, without the need for job offers.

A provincial nomination guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) as they get an additional 600 points upon their basic score. This will be applied for them in a subsequent federal Express Entry draw.

Canada manages applications for 3 federal immigration programs with Express Entry. These are:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Canadian Experience Class

After the implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures by Canada on March 18, the Express Entry draws have been active. Through the Express Entry draws, Canada has been inviting candidates under specific skill categories. These candidates had provincial nominations they got through streams like the Alberta Express Entry Stream. They also belonged to the Canadian Experience Class.

Candidates in Alberta Express Entry Stream need to possess work experience in some particular job categories. These jobs align with Alberta’s priorities. Alberta has always been giving prominence to diversification and economic development. Priority goes to candidates with:

• a job offered and/or work experience gained in Alberta,
• a degree earned from a post-secondary institution in Canada along with a valid job offer, or
• a parent, sibling, or child currently residing in Alberta

To date, in 2020, 1,207 invitations have been given out by the province. All of them went to Express Entry candidates. There is surely a very positive scenario building that can be attributed to the lowering CRS scores with every new draw.