How Express Entry Tie-Break Procedure Works?

The recently conducted two draws from the Express Entry pool witnessed the use of the tie-break procedure by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This is the same procedure, introduced back in June 2017.

This particular process allows to rank candidates having same Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score while considering the date and time of submission of their profiles to the Express Entry pool. Those candidates who have submitted their profiles earlier or whose profiles were in the pool for a longer period, they receive attention by IRCC on priority basis through tie-break procedure.

During a draw conducted on November 15, 2017, IRCC sent 2,750 ITAs (Invitations to Apply) to candidates who were eligible to apply for Canadian permanent residence. The minimum CRS score for these Express Entry pool candidates was 439.

[Read more: Interested Sponsors Can Now Apply Through Parents and Grandparents Program]

In such circumstances where it was inevitable to use a tie-break procedure, only those candidates scoring 439 points received the ITAs who submitted their profiles by a cut-off date. The time and date listed by IRCC during above-mentioned draw were October 19, 2017 at 12:02:28.

The most important factor in this regard is the fact the original time stamp will not change itself even if the candidates modify or update their Express Entry profile. On the contrary, if a profile is deleted by a candidate and enters the Express Entry pool with an altogether new profile, this will alter the time stamp. The time stamp for this new profile will start from the date and time of rejoining the pool.

Nevertheless, it is essential to consider that the primary element in determining candidate’s ranking in the pool was his/her CRS score. At the time of launching this tie-break rule in June 2017, IRCC clarified that the basic purpose of this procedure was to assist the government in managing the invitation rounds.

The table given below displays that how time stamp might have played its role in the Nov. 15 draw. However, the information presented here are not the actual statistics of the said draw.

Include Table