Despite disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic, the third quarter of 2020 saw a record number of invitations to apply for permanent residents being sent out to Express Entry candidates in all programs. 

Express Entry: 3rd Quarter

According to the latest data, a total of 28,450 Express Entry candidates received Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the months of July to September 2020, more than any previous quarter since the Express Entry system first launched in 2015. At this count, Canada now issued 78,350 ITAs, another record high in the history of Express Entry. 

During the third quarter, Canada once again began conducting all-program draws, breaking the earlier trend of draws only targeting Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates that Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) initiated during the start of the pandemic. 

Candidates belonging to the Federal Skilled Worker Program once again began receiving ITAs on July 8, 2020, and the IRCC has consistently conducted all-program draws since September 2. 

While the biggest all-program draw in the history of Express Entry still belongs to the month of February 2020, with 4,500 invitations issued prior to the pandemic, the month of September consistently invited 4,200 candidates in three consecutive all-program draws. 

Considering disruptions from the pandemic, on top of the six-to-eight month process to get an application through Express Entry, the number of invited candidates who move on to become permanent residents will remain unknown until 2021. The pandemic has drastically affected the permanent residency rate, having been down 63 percent this July compared to July 2019. However, August saw 11,315 candidates obtain permanent residency, which, while falling short of last year’s record, is only a temporary setback caused by the coronavirus crisis. 

Provincial Nominee Program: 3rd Quarter

Apart from Express Entry, various PNP programs also saw a busy third quarter, with many provinces actively holding constant PNP draws. Most notably, the province of British Columbia has held draws every week, focusing on their Tech Pilot in particular. 

Other provinces have also held numerous draws: 

• Manitoba: six (6) draws, through their Skilled Worker in Manitoba, Skilled Worker Overseas, and International Education streams;
• Prince Edward Island: six (6) draws, through their Business Impact, Labour Impact, and Express Entry streams;
• Saskatchewan: four (4) draws, through their Express Entry and Occupation In-Demand streams;
• Ontario: two (2) draws, through their Ontario Entrepreneur and Ontario Human Capital Priorities streams, which are aligned with Express Entry;
• And finally, Nova Scotia: one (1) draw, though their Labour Market Priorities stream.  

Meanwhile, Quebec held its biggest draw on September 24, inviting 365 immigration candidates from three categories to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate. 

Commitment to Immigration

With these numbers, it is clear that the pandemic has not stopped Canada from sending invitations to invite candidates to apply for permanent residency, solidly affirming their commitment to immigrants and their hope for economic recovery through immigration. 

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