Canada: Relaxed Educational Requirements for Certain Express Entry Permanent Residence Applicants

The government of Canada has relaxed educational requirements for permanent residence applicants under the Express Entry system. Applicants who earned a Canadian degree, diploma or certificate and completed any part of the program of study or training between March 2020 and August 2022, are now eligible for Canadian educational credential points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) even if they completed the program entirely through distance learning, from outside Canada or through part-time studies. Previously, distance learning or part-time studies could result in lower points on the CRS score. To be invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada, the Canadian government uses the CRS points-based system to score and rank applicants in the Express Entry pool. The number of points granted to an applicant is based on experience, education and language skills, among others. Affected foreign nationals who already created and submitted their Express Entry profile may need to update it.