Canada Immigration Weekly Roundup: Triple Express Entry Draws, Key PNP Updates, and the Ripple Effect of the New US H1B Fee
- Gagandeep Singh
- Sep 21
- 3 min read
This has been a remarkably busy week in Canadian immigration. We've witnessed a series of significant Express Entry draws from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), alongside important updates from various Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). As a registered Canadian immigration consultant, I'm here to provide a detailed breakdown of these events and their implications for prospective immigrants.
Express Entry: A Flurry of Invitations
In an action-packed week, IRCC conducted three separate Express Entry draws, issuing a total of 4,028 invitations to apply for permanent residence. This demonstrates Canada's proactive approach to selecting skilled workers to meet its economic needs.
Here’s a summary of the draws:
September 18 - Trade Occupations: In a targeted draw for skilled trades professionals, 1,250 invitations were issued. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw was 505.
September 17 - Education Occupations: IRCC invited 2,500 candidates in the education sector. The CRS cut-off for this category-based selection draw was 462.
September 15 - Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): A PNP-specific draw saw 228 candidates receive invitations. The minimum CRS score was 746, reflecting the 600-point bonus awarded to candidates with a provincial nomination.
The focus on category-based selection in these draws continues to be a key trend, allowing Canada to target candidates in high-demand fields.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Highlights
The provinces have also been active this week, holding their own draws to nominate candidates for permanent residence.
Prince Edward Island (PEI): On September 19, the PEI PNP conducted a draw, inviting 129 candidates who are currently working in PEI in key sectors.
Other Provinces: Provinces like British Columbia and Alberta have continued their regular invitation rounds, focusing on candidates in sectors such as healthcare, technology, and construction. For real-time updates on all provincial nominee programs, using a comprehensive PNP tracker is highly recommended.
The PNP remains a vital pathway to permanent residence, especially for individuals with a connection to a specific province or who work in an occupation that is in high demand in that region.
The Start-up Visa Program: Current Landscape
The Start-up Visa (SUV) program continues to be an attractive option for immigrant entrepreneurs. However, it is currently experiencing significant backlogs and extended processing times. In an effort to manage the application inventory, the government has placed a cap on the number of applications that can be submitted by each designated organization. This makes it more important than ever for aspiring SUV candidates to present a strong and well-documented business proposal.
The New U.S. H1B Fee: A Game Changer?
A major development this week that could have a significant impact on Canadian immigration is the new $100,000 fee for new H1-B visa applications in the United States. It's important to note that this is a one-time fee and does not apply to renewals or those who already hold an H1-B visa.
This substantial increase in cost for U.S. employers may lead many to explore alternatives. Canada, with its streamlined immigration pathways for tech talent, such as the Global Talent Stream and targeted Express Entry draws for STEM occupations, is likely to become an even more appealing destination for skilled workers from around the world.
What to Expect Next
After such a dynamic week, it's possible we might see a brief pause in Express Entry draws. However, the trend of category-based selection is expected to continue. We could see draws targeting other priority sectors like healthcare or STEM in the near future. The best strategy for all aspiring candidates is to ensure their Express Entry profile is complete, accurate, and optimized to achieve the highest possible CRS score.
Immigration Tip of the Week
Understand the Tie-Breaking Rule: In every Express Entry draw, IRCC includes a "tie-breaking rule" with a specific date and time. This rule is used to rank candidates who have the same CRS score as the cut-off. Those who submitted their profile before the specified date and time will be invited. This highlights a crucial point: don't delay in creating and submitting your Express Entry profile. Even a few hours can make a critical difference in receiving an invitation to apply.
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