Recent trends indicate that Express Entry candidates eligible for category-based selection draws are likely to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) even if their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is below 500. CRS scores are numerical values assigned by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) based on a candidate’s human capital factors when they enter the Express Entry pool. Additionally, CRS scores are used to determine the cut-off score for each Express Entry draw. The cut-off score is the lowest score among all candidates who receive an ITA in a specific draw. These scores are crucial because candidates with CRS scores below the cut-off will not be considered for an ITA for Canadian permanent residence in that particular draw. In recent weeks, various sources have reported that numerous immigration candidates are worried about the high CRS cut-off scores. So far in 2024, there hasn’t been a general Express Entry draw with a minimum CRS score below 524. Note: In contrast, in 2023, 17 out of IRCC’s 25 non-category-based Express Entry draws (both general and program-specific) had CRS cut-off scores below 518. Of these, six draws had cut-off scores between 500 and 517, while 11 draws had cut-off scores under 496. CRS scores for category-based selection draws in 2024 This year, IRCC has conducted eight category-based Express Entry draws. In comparison to IRCC’s nine general and program-specific draws in 2024, the CRS cut-off for category-based draws has been at least 33 points lower in every instance. The eight category-based draws conducted by IRCC this year are as follows: February 1: French language proficiency draw: minimum CRS: 365 February 14: Healthcare draw: minimum CRS: 422 February 16: Agriculture and Agri-Food draw: minimum CRS: 437 February 29: French language proficiency draw: minimum CRS: 336 March 13: Transport draw: minimum CRS: 430 March 26: French language proficiency draw: minimum CRS: 338 April 11: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) draw: minimum CRS: 491 April 24: French-language proficiency draw: minimum CRS: 410 Therefore, Express Entry candidates worried about achieving a high enough CRS score for IRCC’s general draws might benefit from targeting ITAs through IRCC’s category-based Express Entry draws, as these tend to have lower CRS cut-off requirements for eligible candidates. Am I eligible for category-based selection? To be eligible for an ITA through a category-based Express Entry draw, candidates must meet specific criteria unique to their category. For more information on the six categories and to determine your eligibility for IRCC’s category-based draws based on your NOC code and other criteria, visit this dedicated webpage. In particular, besides fulfilling all the requirements outlined in the instructions for a specific round of invitations, applicants must also meet additional criteria relevant to their category. French language proficiency category Achieve a minimum score of 7 in all four language abilities (speaking, reading, writing, and listening) on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC). For more information: In April, IRCC announced that French language proficiency will account for the majority (30%) of ITAs issued through category-based draws this year. Occupational categories In 2024, IRCC is prioritizing immigration candidates with eligible work experience in the following five industries: All occupational categories eligible for category-based selection require candidates to have at least six months of eligible full-time, continuous (or equivalent part-time) work experience within the last three years. This work experience can be obtained in Canada or abroad. Note: Although the list of eligible National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes varies by occupational category, qualifying work experience must be in a single occupation under one of the qualifying NOCs within a given category. Who is most likely to benefit from category-based selection draws? Assuming a candidate is eligible*, foreign nationals with a CRS score below 500 will likely need a category-based draw. Note: The CRS score above is based on the lowest CRS cut-off score of any general draw in 2024, which was 524 on March 25. Immigration candidates with CRS scores around 500, as well as eligible candidates who do not meet this threshold, will likely need a category-based selection draw to receive an ITA for Canadian permanent residence if they cannot increase their CRS score through other means. What if I’m not eligible? Candidates aiming to enhance their CRS score for general draws can employ strategies to increase their score without switching occupations. Language Language proficiency plays a significant role in the CRS scoring system, potentially contributing up to 310 points when combined with other factors like education. In essence, exceeding the minimum language requirements for any of the three Express Entry-managed programs can boost a candidate’s CRS score. For instance, while the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) mandates a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7, achieving higher levels, such as CLB 10, can garner additional CRS points. Moreover, proficiency in a second official Canadian language can further increase CRS points. Candidates can earn up to 6 additional points per language ability, beyond those obtained for proficiency in the first language. Beyond the CRS score boost, mastering a second official language offers newcomers to Canada various advantages. It enhances employability, making them more appealing to companies with open positions. Additionally, proficiency in another language facilitates socialization and helps newcomers adapt more comfortably to their new environment. Education Education is a factor in the CRS system that can contribute up to 250 points, depending on whether the candidate obtained their educational credentials inside or outside of Canada. Thus, candidates can enhance their CRS score either by pursuing further education or by obtaining Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) for their existing credentials. Note: IRCC mandates that economic immigration candidates educated outside of Canada must obtain an ECA for their highest completed educational credential obtained outside of Canada. Work experience  CRS scores can be elevated based on an applicant’s NOC level. Therefore, evaluating your current work experience to determine if your responsibilities align with an NOC categorized as “skilled” by IRCC could potentially earn you more points. Similarly, assessing the duration of your employment may also result in more points, as IRCC awards points for full-time or equivalent part-time work experience

Your obligations as a sponsor When you agree to be a sponsor, you must sign an undertaking, promising to give financial support for the basic needs of your spouse or partner and their dependent children. Basic needs are: Before signing the sponsorship agreement, ensure the family members you sponsor won’t need to ask the government for financial help. If they do receive assistance, you’ll have to repay the amount they got while you’re legally responsible for them. Additionally, you won’t be able to sponsor anyone else until you’ve paid back that amount. The undertaking is a binding promise to support the person you sponsor. This means you are responsible for their financial support for the entire period of the agreement, no matter what happens. The promise remains in effect even if: May I cancel my undertaking after it’s been approved? If you change your mind after submitting the sponsorship application and undertaking, you must write us a letter and send it as an attachment through the IRCC Webform before a final decision is made. You can only withdraw the undertaking if we approve your request. Length of undertaking Your responsibilities as a sponsor begin as soon as the undertaking takes effect. If you change your mind after submitting the sponsorship application and undertaking, you must send IRCC a letter through the IRCC Webform before a final decision is made. Withdrawal of the undertaking is only possible if IRCC approve your request. You’re sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner The undertaking lasts for 3 years starting from the day your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner becomes a permanent resident. You’re sponsoring a dependent child over 22 years of age The undertaking lasts for 3 years from the day your dependent child (or the dependent child of your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner) who is over 22 years old becomes a permanent resident. You’re sponsoring a dependent child under 22 years of age The undertaking lasts for 10 years from the day your dependent child (or the dependent child of your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner) under 22 years old becomes a permanent resident, or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first. The duration of the undertaking for Quebec residents is slightly different.Note: You’ll be in default if your relative gets social assistance from the government while the undertaking is in effect. Become a sponsor You can become a sponsor if you are: You must also be able to show that you can provide basic needs for: Note: Generally, if you are sponsoring a spouse, partner, or dependent child, there is no minimum necessary income (MNI) requirement. However, you must meet the minimum income requirement if the spouse or partner you’re sponsoring has a dependent child with their own dependent child, or if the dependent child you are sponsoring has their own dependent child. The income requirement is based on Statistics Canada’s annual Low-income Cut-Off (LICO). If you live in Quebec, you must also meet Quebec’s conditions to be a sponsor. Note: You remain eligible to sponsor if you receive maternity, parental, and sickness benefits under the Employment Insurance Act. These benefits are considered as income to meet the minimum necessary income (MNI) requirement. You are still eligible to sponsor if you receive regular Employment Insurance and federal training allowances. Typically, these benefits are not considered as income for meeting the MNI requirement. Important: For the tax years 2020 and 2021, a public policy was implemented allowing sponsors of all family class applicants who need to meet income requirements to include regular Employment Insurance benefits in their income calculations, rather than solely special Employment Insurance benefits. You may not be able to sponsor if you… Sponsoring if you live outside Canada If you’re a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you can sponsor your: You must show that you’ll live in Canada when the sponsored person becomes a permanent resident. Defaults You can’t become a sponsor if any of the situations below apply to you: A previous sponsorship undertaking If the family members you previously sponsored received social assistance or welfare during the validity of the undertaking, you cannot sponsor another individual until: An immigration loan If you received a transportation, assistance, or right of permanent residence fee (previously called the right of landing fee) loan and have missed payments: Support payment obligations If you have been directed by a court to provide support payments to a spouse or child and have not fulfilled these obligations: A performance bond If you have committed to providing funds to ensure that an immigrant fulfills their obligations under immigration laws: Five-year sponsorship bar for people who were sponsored to come to Canada as a spouse or partner Are you eligible to sponsor someone? The five-year sponsorship bar doesn’t apply, no matter when you became a permanent resident. The five-year sponsorship bar applies. You may not sponsor a foreign national referred to as a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner until you’ve been a permanent resident for five years. Sponsorship bar for violent crime The sponsorship bar prohibits individuals convicted of specific crimes from sponsoring a family member. If you have been convicted of a crime resulting in bodily harm to any of the relatives listed below, you are ineligible to sponsor anyone under the Family Class or the spouse or common-law partner in Canada (SCLPC) class. Note: Relatives the sponsorship bar can apply to: Who you can sponsor With this application, you have the opportunity to sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner who is at least 18 years old, or your dependent child (For sponsoring an adopted child, utilize the sponsorship package designed for adopted children). The individual you are sponsoring and their family members must successfully undergo background, security, and medical checks. Choose the class of application When sponsoring a conjugal partner or dependent child, you must apply under the Family Class, with processing conducted outside Canada. For sponsoring a spouse or common-law partner, you have the option

Alberta’s immigration program, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), is very popular right now. There are a lot more people wanting to move to Alberta than the number of spots available. For 2024, Alberta only has 9,750 spots available for nominations. Alberta paused applications for several programs within the AAIP earlier this year due to high demand. Now, new guidelines have been announced for the following programs: These guidelines are similar to those introduced earlier this year for the Tourism and Hospitality stream. Key Takeaways AAIP Nomination Allocations For 2024 The federal government gave Alberta 9,750 spots for PNP nominations in 2024. Here’s how Alberta will divide up those spots: As of May 29, 2024, there are 5413 nominations remaining in Alberta’s 2024 allocation. This is what that allocation looks like per program:  Alberta has also published figures for the Express Entry Stream allocations in 2024:  When Can You Apply For the AAIP In 2024? The AAIP will start accepting applications for the Tourism and Hospitality Stream, Alberta Opportunity Stream, Rural Renewal Stream, and Accelerated Tech Pathway on these dates: It’s important to be ready to apply as soon as possible on those dates. These programs are in high demand, and the intake will only be open for a short time until the application limit is reached. What Are The Application Intake Limits For The AAIP in 2024? Preparing Your AAIP Application For Submission You need to submit AAIP applications through the online portal. To do this, you must have an Alberta.ca Account to access the AAIP portal. After creating your account, review the document checklist, collect all required documents, and complete as much of your application as possible before the intake date. Here are some quick tips for your application: Benefits Of The New AAIP Processes This new procedure has been introduced to manage the high demand for Alberta’s PNP. While it might be disappointing for individuals who are unable to apply during each monthly intake (as these intakes are expected to fill up rapidly), it does ensure that there will be numerous chances to apply for the AAIP. Moreover, this new method offers applicants greater clarity on when applications will be accepted. Although intakes are restricted, this approach allows year-round access to the program and eliminates the possibility of temporary closures due to high demand, thereby enhancing confidence in the program.