On October 26, Canada held its most recent express-entry draw of the entire program.
This is the ninth draw since draws for all programs resumed on July 6.
Invitations were sent to 4,750 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 496. Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) candidates were all eligible for receive invitations All are programs that operate under the Express Entry system.
As of December 2020, draws for all Express Entry programs have been halted for more than 18 months. During the break, only CEC or Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates received invitations to apply (ITA). The drawings were stopped due to a backlog of applications caused by travel restrictions related to COVID-19. In September 2021, IRCC also stopped the draws for CEC.
This draw marks the first time since draws resumed that the CRS has dropped below 500. The last time the score was this low was on December 23, 2020 with a score of 468. After that draw, the Express Entry draws from all programs have been halted to avoid creating a further backlog of permanent residence applications.
By lowering the CRS score, the IRCC is able to increase the number of ITAs it issues, as evidenced by the previous eight draws in which the number of candidates increased as the CRS score gradually decreased.
Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025 is Expected in the Coming Days
IRCC publishes a new annual plan each year that sets a goal for the number of immigrants Canada expects to receive in each of the next three years. The numbers are further divided into the immigration class and its programs. By 2022, the Immigration Levels Plan targeted 55,900 new permanent residents through Express Entry.
So far, between January and August 31, Canada has admitted just over 28,000 new permanent residents through Express Entry programs. A new Immigration Levels Plan is expected to be announced on November 1 this year.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is the application management system for three Canadian immigration programs: Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates in the Express Entry pool are already eligible for at least one of these programs.
Express Entry uses a point-based system, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), to rank candidate profiles. The highest scoring candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and can then apply for permanent residence.
After the candidate submits the application, an IRCC officer reviews the application and decides whether to approve it. Once this is complete, if approved, the candidate is now a permanent resident of Canada and one step closer to becoming a Canadian citizen.
Statistics Canada recently released “Immigration Selection Factors and Top Applicant Earnings,” a report that is an update of the 2015 research that influenced the creation of the Comprehensive Classification System.
The report analyzed which characteristics at the time of landing had the greatest impact on the short-, medium-, and long-term income of new permanent residents. Education, language ability and pre-landing work experience were found to remain among the deciding factors. In particular, pre-landing work experience, especially in Canada, was considered to be the most influential factor in an individual’s economic outlook.
