Maple News reports that Canada’s Express Entry system uses a tie-breaking rule to help determine which candidates receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency when multiple individuals have the same Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
Every Express Entry draw selects a set number of top-ranking candidates based on their CRS score—a numerical representation that factors in age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and other important criteria. These invitations are issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under ministerial instructions.
However, with thousands of prospective immigrants in the pool, there are often cases where multiple candidates hold identical CRS scores. When this happens, the tie-breaking rule comes into play. This rule prioritizes candidates based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profile.
For example, if IRCC issues 3,000 ITAs and the 3,000th spot is tied between several candidates, the system will offer the invitation to the one who submitted their profile first. Essentially, those who have been in the pool longer have a slight edge in tie-score scenarios.
This rule highlights the strategic advantage of entering the Express Entry pool as early as possible. Even if your CRS score improves later through actions like retaking a language test or gaining more work experience, keeping your profile up to date allows you to maximize your chances if a tie occurs at your score level.
Consider a scenario where both Lara and Jean have a CRS score of 472. If only one ITA is available at that cut-off score, and Lara submitted her Express Entry profile a full week before Jean, she’ll be the one to receive the invitation.
To recap, while boosting your CRS score remains the most effective way to secure an ITA, understanding policies like the tie-breaking rule can provide a crucial advantage. Staying informed, acting early, and maintaining an active profile in the system can significantly improve your chances of permanent residency in Canada.
Maple News will continue to provide critical insights and updates on Express Entry pathways to help immigrants navigate Canada’s evolving immigration landscape.