Express Entry (EE) applicants who can speak French are in for a pleasant surprise. They can now gain more CRS points towards their immigration application.
Canada’s immigration minister, Marco Mendicino, made the announcement stating this new benefit for French-speaking and bilingual EE applicants.
EE applicants, who can speak French, will receive an additional 25 points for their language skills. There is an increase in this number from 15 points. Bilingual candidates will not receive 50 points as compared to 30 points before.
Canada has a target of admitting 4.4% of French-speaking newcomers outside Quebec by 2023. This new initiative will help Canada reach its goal after they lift all the current travel restrictions.
A total of 2.82% of French-speaking immigrants were admitted to Canada in 2019. This number was outside Quebec.
Mendicino was quoted to say, “Supporting the development of Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec is part of this government’s plan for economic growth and long-term prosperity throughout the country.” “It is also the right thing to do to help support Francophone communities right across Canada. We will continue to attract Francophone immigrants to make sure that Francophone minority communities flourish.”
There is a report stating more than 60,000 French-speaking newcomers came to the country between 2003 and 2019. In 2019 alone this number was 8,645 new Francophone immigrants.
IRCC will invest $40.8 million over a span of five years. This amount is to support the alliance of horizontal policy development and the Francophone integration pathway.
The EE System
EE is an application management system designed for three federal immigration programs. These programs include the Federal Skilled Trades Program, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.
All the eligible candidates receive a score based on the CRS. Applicants receive points for human capital factors that include age, education, work experience, and language ability in either French or English.
Those score the highest receive ITAs through regular EE draws.
Once an applicant receives an ITA, he can apply for Canadian permanent residence.
IRCC usually holds EE draws once every two weeks.
Recently, they have been holding larger draws than it has ever done before. The October 14 draw saw 4,500 EE candidates receiving their ITAs. Till now, a total of 82,850 ITAs have been issued.
In 2019, the proportion of French-speakers receiving their invitation to apply for permanent residence was 5.6%. This number was way up from 4.5% in 2018.
Quebec is the only province in Canada that has its own immigration system that targets French-speaking newcomers.
Get in touch with us if you have any queries about your Express Entry application.