Last May 1, the Government of Canada issued a total of 3,311 Invitations to Apply to Express Entry candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) in another program-specific draw, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score of 452. 

So far, this has been the lowest CRS requirement in 2020, three points lower than April 16’s CEC draw that had a minimum CRS score of 455. Applying their tie-break rule, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) ruled that the date and time for this draw would be October 10, 2019, at 19:15:28 UTC, allowing CEC candidates with scores of 452 or more and who submitted their profile prior to this date and time to receive an ITA in the recent invitation round. 

Earlier that week, over 598 ITAs were issued to Express Entry candidates with a minimum CRS score of 692. These candidates were nominated through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). 

This recent draw brings the total of ITAs issued this year to 34, 300. 

With over eight program-specific draws held since travel restrictions were announced, program-specific invitations are no longer the exception for Express Entry draws. 

These program-specific draws have largely focused on PNP and CEC applicants, as they are most likely to already be in Canada and will not be impacted by the current travel restrictions in place.