The number of Express Entry candidates in 2020 has significantly increased as compared to the tally in the first three months of the previous two years.
There was high optimism for Express Entry program this year, but the Coronavirus pandemic has hindered the achievement of immigration goals. The Canadian Coronavirus mitigation measures began a week after the country announced its 2020-2022 Levels Plan. The program targeted 341,000 immigration candidates. Among these, 91,800 were invited under the Federal High Skilled while 67,800 would fall under the Provincial Nominee Program.
Express Entry draws began on January 8 this year, and were after every fortnight. Once Canada gave the guidelines to derail the spread of Coronavirus, the draw was held on March 18, but only attracted applications from provincial nominees. Another one took place five (5) days later. It invited only Canadian Experience Class immigration candidates.
The Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) tweeted that Express Entry draws were ongoing, although the immigration documents would not be processed for at least half a year.
The country reported a 25.5% spike in the number of ITAs issued this quarter from the 18,000 total ITAs offered on the fourth quarter of 2019. The Federal Skilled Trades Program was held over that time. It surprisingly also targeted candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking Score of 357.
On February 19, 2010, Canada reported the largest Express Entry applications, inviting 4,500 applicants to pursue permanent residence.
Canada’s Express Entry handles economic-class immigrations under three principal categories: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class.
Applicants need to file an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile, which is then assessed and ranked according to several factors, such as work experience, language fluency, age, and education. The candidates who excel in the CRS then proceed to seek permanent residence.
Immigration candidates have the chance of improving their CRS score by entering the nominations at the provincial level.
