Canada continues to raise ITAs in the most recent Express Entry draw.
The cut-off for the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) was 516, and IRCC issued 2,750 invitations to apply (ITA). Express Entry is a vital immigration route for skilled newcomers in Canada.
Candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) were eligible for this draw because no programme was specified.
Starting in December 2020, IRCC will suspend all Express Entry draws for an 18-month period. During this time period, only candidates eligible for permanent residence under the CEC or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) were invited to apply. CEC draws, on the other hand, were also halted in September 2021.
Due to an overwhelming number of permanent residence applications received during the global COVID-19 pandemic, the draws were halted. Canada’s border was closed during this time, and travel regulations were frequently changed.
Since the return of all-program draws on July 6, this draw has seen the greatest increase in ITAs, up by 500.
Until today’s draw, each draw increased the number of ITA recipients by exactly 250.
In 2023, the IRCC plans to make a significant change to Express Entry, granting it the authority to issue ITAs to individuals with specific work experience, education, or language ability groups that it believes will be well-positioned to support Canada’s economy and labour force. This means that in future draws, CRS scores may become less important.
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser explained the rationale for this proposal on stage at Collision, a technology conference in June, saying, “If we can project skills that will be needed over the next 20 to 30 years, we can bring people who can hit the ground running and make a significant economic impact.”
What is the definition of Express Entry?
Express Entry is used as the application management system for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Candidates in the Express Entry pool for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) are already eligible for at least one of these programmes.
Express Entry ranks candidate profiles using the Comprehensive Ranking System, which is a point-based system (CRS). Candidates with the highest scores will be issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and will be able to apply for permanent residency.
Following receipt of the application, an IRCC officer reviews it and makes a decision. The officer will request biometrics, as well as an interview or additional documents. If everything is approved, the candidate is now a Permanent Residence of Canada.