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Based on experiences, prepared and submitted applications within a short time frame are susceptible to possible negligence, such as missing primary documents. Due to the drastic lowering to 75 points of Express Entry not so long ago, most applicants have learned that occupying a “seat” is on top of all.
Other than incomplete applications, there is a chance of overlaps in the 40,000 applications (in case of applicants applied twice or more). Considering the fact that one may simultaneously apply to numerous immigration programs, the number of rejected applications for this specific pathway can land in the thousands.
The imminent questions now are: What are IRCC’s next steps? Will there be a new portal or reopening to compensate for the applications denied? Let’s simply take a look at the policy alone:
- no mentions of the phrase “incomplete application” were spotted.
- no mentions of a possible “reopen” of the pathway after the omission of ineligible applicant portfolios.
What are the Chances of Reopening?
The temporary immigration pathway for international graduates reaches its intake cap!
On May 06, 2021, the Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officially opened the application portal of its new pathways to permanent residency for potential applicants.
According to the new policies, the portal will close once the capacity hits the limitation, dismissing any further incoming applications. Despite the extensive time frame provided by the IRCC (until November 5, 2021), the applicants refrained from procrastination. In less than 24 hours after the portal’s opening, the program reached its maximum quota of 40,000 international student applications.
Given the circumstances at hand, do international students see a potential reopening of this specific pathway? What is the status of other temporary resident pathways?
In addition to the policy per se, the IRCC has received multiple incomplete applications during the COVID-19 pandemic, hence prolonging the time for applicants to submit missing/ additional documents. Thus, there is a greater chance that IRCC will go for leniency towards incomplete profiles over a pathway reopening.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the series of restrictions it incurred, it is possible that IRCC will again adjust immigration policies.
Responsibly speaking, however, rather than to sit-and-wait for a decision, or raise their necks for a pathway reopening (chances are the IRCC will not do so, even with available seats), our fellow international graduates can shift their gaze on other temporary immigration pathways or programs, and utilize their waiting time for document preparations, job search, and educational pursuits.
Other Immigration Pathways and Opportunities
The chart below demonstrates the six temporary pathways’ application fulfillment status on Monday, May 10th, 2021 at 11:24 AM.
Despite the international student pathway under the general stream hitting the maximum capacity, ceilings of other temporary permanent resident pathways have yet to be reached.
With the available spaces in the French-speaking streams, those graduates who possess basic French language knowledge may want to utilize the next four to five months to advance or boost their linguistic abilities towards a minimum CLB score of 5, placing themselves in a competitive position.
As for those who do not possess any French linguistic skills, as well as those who are ineligible for the other two categories, the best alternative is the Express Entry – CEC category.
From the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CEC drawing pool has continuously hit new thresholds, which dropped to a historical low score of 75 on February 13, 2021. As a result, all of the applicants of the cycle received invitations from the IRCC. The lowest score of the most recent draw displayed an optimistic 400, which favored those applicants who have satisfied the 1-year work experience and reached at least 6 in IELTS for each language skill (approximately 394 CRS points).
Other than the previously mentioned pathways, those international graduates who obtained their degrees in Alberta may consider the International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream (IGEIS). Such a program was announced on October 26, 2020 by the Government of Alberta as a new immigration pathway, one that does not require assiduous job searches but simply entrepreneurship.
Most importantly, IGEIS has also paved an expedited investment immigration route for potential entrepreneurs at a remarkably low value of 25,000 CAD. This regulation implies that foreigners qualify for the IGEIS program once they finish at least two-year education at a certified institution in Alberta, accumulating the odds for obtaining permanent residency.
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