Alberta invites 3,357 Express Entry candidates with CRS scores as low as 300 to apply for provincial nomination

Alberta has released new information showing it held 14 draws through its Express Entry-aligned immigration stream so far in 2019, issuing a total of 3,357 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence to Express Entry candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System scores as low as 300. 

Express Entry candidates nominated by the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) receive an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, effectively guaranteeing an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

In order to be considered for a nomination from Alberta, candidates must be eligible for one of the three federal immigration programs managed by the Express Entry system — the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class and Canadian Experience Class — and have a profile in the Express Entry pool.

Alberta is home to the cities of Edmonton and Calgary, which are both popular destinations for immigrants.  Oil and gas production has long driven Alberta’s economy, but information technology, health services and other industries are gaining in prominence as the province’s government works to diversify beyond energy.

Introduced last year, the Alberta Express Entry Stream allows the province to search the federal Express Entry pool for immigration candidates who meet specified eligibility requirements and invite them to apply for a provincial nomination.

Express Entry candidates must have a CRS score of at least 300 and be working in an occupation that “supports Alberta’s economic development and diversification priorities,” among other criteria, in order to be considered for a nomination for Canadian permanent residence from Alberta.

While a job offer or previous work in Alberta is not required in order to be eligible, the AINP says candidates with a job offer and/or work experience in Alberta, a degree from a Canadian post-secondary institution and/or a parent, child or sibling already living in Alberta may be prioritized for an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination.

Find out if you are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool

Of the 14 draws held in 2019, three invited Express Entry candidates with scores as low as 300.

This is significantly lower than the lowest score drawn through a federal Express Entry draw so far this year, which was 438.

The largest Alberta Express Entry Stream draw held so far this year took place on March 5 and saw a total of 473 invitations, or Notifications of Interest (NOIs), issued.

NOIs are issued to Express Entry candidates identified through a search of the federal pool by the AINP. Express Entry candidates who receive an NOI have 30 days to submit a complete application for a provincial nomination from Alberta.

The AINP says the following factors may decrease the likelihood of receiving an NOI through the Alberta Express Entry Stream:

• Your Express Entry profile expires in 3 months or less
• You are working in an occupation:
  • on the list of High-wage and low-wage occupations in the province of Alberta set out on the online Government of Canada Refusal to Process a Labour Market Impact Assessment list;
  • on the Alberta Opportunity Stream Ineligible Occupations list, located on this page under the Alberta Opportunity Stream section;
  • that has a high volume of submissions across all AINP streams.

“This is great news for Express Entry candidates — and those with lower CRS scores in particular — who are looking to build a new life in Canada,” said David Cohen, senior partner with the Campbell, Cohen Canadian immigration law firm in Montreal.

“It’s a good reminder of the value of a provincial nomination for Express Entry candidates, who receive an additional 600 points toward their ranking score if nominated.”

Find out if you are eligible to enter the Express Entry pool

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