Should I apply for Canada's Express Entry programme right now?

Well, it’s a great question in the present scenario and if this is the case, you are not alone.

The advantages of joining the Express Entry pool currently exceed the disadvantages.

 To assist its post-COVID economic recovery, Canada intends to welcome the greatest number of immigrants in its history. Canada plans to accept over 400,000 new immigrants every year under its Immigration Level Plans 2021-2023. Almost 60% of these newcomers will come to Canada as skilled employees.

Express Entry is the primary method used by Canada to handle skilled worker applications. In most cases, people who successfully come to Canada through Express Entry do so through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) which is one of the major subcategories under the Express Entry program itself.

Prior to the coronavirus epidemic, FSWP applicants accounted for roughly half of all Express Entry immigrants each year. The Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and Federal Skilled Trades Program accounted for the other half of Express Entry arrivals (FSTP). However, until the end of 2021, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has only granted Express Entry invitations to CEC and PNP candidates as the majority of these applicants are already in Canada, they are less likely to face pandemic-related interruptions (e.g., travel delays and so on) that would impair their ability to complete the permanent residency process. As a result, many FSWP candidates are presently waiting for IRCC to begin issuing Invitations to Apply (ITA) in the Express Entry pool.

FSWP Candidates may believe it as a preferable option, to wait for such invitations to continue, before entering the pool, however this is a mistake. A rigorous cost-benefit analysis reveals that it is beneficial to enter the pool now rather than later.

The only real danger of jumping into the pool now is that your official language test will expire if you do not get an ITA within two years of passing it which means, that if fortune does not favour you during the following two years, you may need to spend more time and money, retaking the language exam.

In comparison to the more important benefit of acquiring permanent residency in Canada, this expense is insignificant. Simply put, if you are not in the Express Entry pool, your prospects of getting an ITA for permanent residency are nil. In contrast, simply entering the pool increases your chances of getting an ITA.

To begin with, no one knows when IRCC will commence issuing ITAs to FSWP applicants. Express Entry is intended to be competitive (giving preference to the highest-scoring individuals) and responsive to the requirements of Canadian provinces and businesses, thus it is highly unpredictable by design. Due to the unexpected nature of the epidemic, it has grown even more unpredictable since last year. The Express Entry draw on February 13, 2021 is a good example of this. IRCC held a draw on a Saturday without warning (draws are typically done on Wednesday and Thursday), and 27,332 ITAs were awarded to CEC applicants whereas 5,000 ITAs was the previous high. The Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) cut-off for that match was merely 75, which was the lowest ever.

You don't want to be taken off guard when the IRCC starts inviting FSWP applicants again. Being in the express entry pool increases your chances of receiving an invitation and being the lucky recipient of an unusual draw like the one we witnessed on February 13.

Second, being in the pool increases your chances of getting invited to a provincial nomination meeting. Accepting a provincial invitation earns you 600 CRS points, almost ensuring that you'll obtain an Express Entry ITA. The provinces of Canada encourage Express Entry candidates to apply to their PNP on a regular basis. They do so in order to find qualified people who can fill the gaps in their province's labour market. If you receive an invitation, you should file for a provincial nomination certificate right away and then notify IRCC that you have received the certificate, thus earning 600 CRS points and increasing your chances of receiving an ITA for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw as a PNP candidates.

Third, being a member of the pool allows you to open a "Plus Account" in the Canadian government's Job Bank. Having this access can assist you in matching with appropriate job opportunities, potentially increasing your chances of receiving a job offer. Eligible job offers can result in you gaining an additional 50 or 200 CRS points.

These points will not ensure that you obtain an ITA, but they will certainly improve your chances. If you are granted an ITA, you will be in a strong position to swiftly integrate into the Canadian labour market.

It's natural if you're unsure about joining the Express Entry pool right now, but it's in your best interests to do so. Keep in mind that Canada appreciates your abilities and qualities and wishes to welcome you to the country. IRCC will reopen its doors to FSWP applicants in the future, and starting the Express Entry process now might put you one step closer to realising your dream of coming to Canada.