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In the first quarter of 2020, Canada Express Entry issued more number of invitations than in the first quarters of previous two years despite the COVID-19 crisis affecting the operations of the Canada immigration system. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada(IRCC) consistently conducted Express Entry draws in every two weeks ever since the first draw of the year occurred on January 8. With an incredible start, 2020 appears to be a big year for Express Entry. Canada plans to admit a total of 341000 new immigrants this year. Of these, 91800 would be Federal High Skilled workers and 67,800 would receive their invitations through Provincial Nominee Programs.
After Canada introduced special measures to combat COVID-19 outbreak, IRCC conducted two Express Entry draws. The one held on March 18 was exclusively for provincial nominees, while the other one held on March 23 invited only Canadian Experience Class candidates.
On April 1, IRCC tweeted that Express Entry draws were still happening and they would continue to accept and process applications for permanent residence. However, the applicants who receive invitations in the latest draws will not have their applications processed for at least six months.
Canada has issued a total of 22600 Express Entry invitations so far this year. In 2019, the number of invitations issued during the same period was 21200 and in 2018, the number was 17500.
Why is Q1 2020 different?
Compared to the previous quarter, which is the fourth quarter of 2019, the number of invitations issued through Express Entry grew 25.5 percent in Q1 2020. The number of invitations issued in 2019 was 18000.
In the first quarter of 2020, IRCC conducted a Federal Skilled Trades Program draw that issued 500 invitations to candidates with CRS score as low as 357. Canada conducted the largest Express Entry draw ever in the same quarter. In the draw held on February 19, 4500 candidates received invitations to apply for permanent residence.
Canada Express Entry
The Express Entry system was introduced by Canada in 2015 with an aim to streamline applications for immigration through the three major federal economic immigration programs of Canada, which are Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. Those who wish to migrate to Canada through Express Entry may create a profile by including information regarding human capital factors such as age, work experience, education and official language proficiency. IRCC invites candidates with the highest scores to apply for permanent residency in the draws that are conducted regularly.
Those candidates who have received provincial nomination will have 600 additional points added to their total CRS score, which guarantee them an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada in the subsequent draw.
Express Entry is a faster and simpler pathway to migrate to Canada. Explore your options for Canada migration by filling our free online assessment form.
