By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Under Donald Trump, America – a country built by immigrants – has closed nearly all routes to legal migration, but Canada its northern neighbour is firing on all cylinders to embrace everyone eligible worldwide to obtain permanent residency.
Canada plans to receive over 1.2 million immigrants over the next three years, 400,000 in 2021 alone.
In its latest draw, the country has invited 5,000 immigration candidates to apply for permanent residency, making a total 102,350 issued within the past year.
Applicants need a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 469 in order to be invited, the same score required in the last round in November.
· In case of a tie between candidates, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) applied the tie-breaking rule.
· Candidates who had a CRS score of 469 or more needed to have submitted their Express Entry profile before June 4, 2020.
· This is the second time in a row that the CRS requirement has dipped to 469. It is normally above 470 for all program draws.
The number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued to date is the highest ever. Canada surpassed its ITA target on November 18, with a record 5,000 issued. ITAs issued have not surpassed 100,000 in any year.
The large number of invitations is in line with Canada’s commitment to welcome over 400,000 new immigrants in 2021, most of them through the Express Entry system.
As the program articulates it,
· Express Entry is Canada’s immigration application management system for three federal economic-class programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class.
· The highest-ranked candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular draws from the pool. Invitation rounds take place every two weeks and the vast majority involve candidates from all three Express Entry-managed categories.
· Candidates are ranked based on a score awarded under the CRS, which considers factors such as age, education, skilled work experience, and proficiency in English or French.
· While a job offer is not required in order to be eligible under the Express Entry system, the CRS does award additional points to candidates who have one.
Nigeria ranked eighth highest receiver of Canadian study permits in 2019 and was the only African country in the top 15.
The permanent residence program is another opportunity for Nigerians desiring to go abroad to legally live and work in Canada.
