Express Entry draws resume after being paused for 18 months.
Draws for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) have resumed this month. The last FSWP draw was in December 2020 while the last draw for CEC was in September 2021.
The July 6 Express Entry draw invited a total of 1,500 candidates with a minimum score of 557 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.
Prior to the pandemic, applicants under FSWP made up 45% of candidates who were issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Considering that Canada has over 80 immigration programs to choose from, the FSWP has been the primary program of choice for aspiring immigrants outside of Canada since 1967.
On the other hand, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is the primary program of choice for aspiring immigrants with Canadian education or work experience. CEC is ideal for international students with Canadian degrees and foreigners working in Canada on a Temporary Residence Visa (TRV).
Prior to the pandemic, CEC candidates only made up 9% of immigrants invited to apply for Permanent Residence. However, this dynamic shifted last year when CEC candidates made up approximately 30% of immigrants who landed in Canada.
Official Statement from Immigration Minister
A couple of weeks ago, Sean Fraser, Canada’s Immigration Minister, announced that IRCC was on track to conduct the recently concluded Express Entry draw.
Here is his latest official statement:
“Today, I am pleased to announce that Express Entry draws have officially resumed and applications will be processed at our 6-month processing standard. I want to thank the candidates from around the world for their patience, as we worked to reduce the backlog before resuming Express Entry draws. I look forward to welcoming skilled workers who will be essential in addressing Canada’s labor shortages.”
About Express Entry
Express Entry is Canada’s online application system that manages applications from candidates of the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and select Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
You can read more on Express Entry here.
To see if you are qualified to apply under Express Entry, determine your eligibility here
