Alberta invites 132 Express Entry candidates in latest draw

Alberta issued 132 invitations to candidates in the federal Express Entry pool in a draw held December 5.

The invitations, or Notifications of Interest (NOIs), went to Express Entry candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores of 400 and up.

The Alberta Express Entry Stream allows the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) to select eligible candidates with a profile in the federal Express Entry system.

Express Entry manages the pool of candidates for three of Canada’s main Economic-Class immigration programs — the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class and Canadian Experience Class.

Express Entry candidates with a provincial nomination from Alberta receive an additional 600 points toward their CRS score and are effectively guaranteed an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence in a subsequent draw from the Express Entry pool.

The cut-off score of 400 in this latest invitation round is significantly lower than the cut-off scores for draws conducted through the Express Entry system itself this year.

The lowest score drawn so far in 2019 in an Express Entry draw involving all three of the programs it manages was 438.

While a job offer or previous work in Alberta is not required in order to be eligible, 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 December 5 draw brings the total number of Express Entry candidates invited to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence through the Alberta Express Entry Stream this year to 6,752.

For more detailed information on the Alberta Express Entry Stream, go to this dedicated page.