Number of Express Entry ITAs likely to cross 100,000 this year

Given the pace of Canada inviting immigration candidates under the Express Entry program, it is all likely that Canada may invite 100,000 or more candidates in the year 2020. This is especially remarkable in the context where the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the Canada immigration system. Though it was predicted that Canada might pause Express Entry draws temporarily or fewer invitations would be issued, what happened was the exact opposite. The high number of Express Entry invitations this year shows that Canada remains committed to its immigration targets set in the Immigration Levels Plan for 2021-22. It was in March 2020, before Canada imposed border restrictions in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced that the country was planning to invite 341000 new permanent residents in 2020. The target for Express Entry immigration was 91,800.

Record-breaking number of Express Entry invites

Despite the border restrictions, Express Entry draws continued to take place on a bi-weekly basis. Currently, what we are witnessing is a record-breaking number of invitations being issued and on October 14, Canada held its largest Express Entry draw in which 4500 candidates received Invitations to Apply. So far this year, Canada has issued a total of 82850 Express Entry ITAs with draw sizes varying between 3900 and 4200. In the normal pace, five more Express Entry draws will take place this year. Even if 3500 ITAs are issued in each draw, the total number of invitations to be issued this year would exceed 100,000.

Experts are pointing out various reasons for the high number of Express Entry ITAs being issued this year. One is that those who receive invitations this year will be able to enter Canada only in 2021 as it takes at least six months to complete the application processing. Secondly, Canada has reduced the refugee intake temporarily and so more number of immigrants is being invited under the economic class immigration. Further, the invitations being issued under Provincial Nominee Programs(PNPs) and Quebec immigration programs are falling short and so, this is being compensated with a high number of invitations under the Express Entry. Immigration experts further predict that Canada would continue to invite a high number of immigrants under Express Entry in 2021 and beyond.
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