Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 529 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence in its latest Express Entry draw, which took place on May 14, 2020. ITAs were only issued to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates.
IRCC has already issued 34,829 ITAs in 2020, which is ahead of the 31,250 ITAs that it issued at this time last year.
Despite the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, IRCC remains on pace to achieve its Express Entry target of 85,800 ITAs in 2020.
This latest PNP draw continues a trend that has unfolded since the start of the pandemic.
That is, IRCC has been alternating between PNP and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws.
Prior to the start of the pandemic, IRCC’s draws were for candidates of all three of Express Entry’s programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and CEC.
This latest Express Entry draw had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cut-off score of 718. This meant that candidates only needed a core human capital CRS of 118 points, plus the additional 600 points that candidates get when they receive a provincial nomination certificate.
Obtaining a nomination certificate is the biggest boost that a candidate can get to their CRS, and it effectively guarantees that a candidate will receive an ITA for Canadian permanent residence status.
Express Entry is the main way that Canada manages its economic class immigration applications. It accounts for the majority of the skilled workers that immigrate to Canada each year to contribute to the nation’s labour market.
While the coronavirus pandemic has had an impact on Canada’s immigration system, the country continues to host Express Entry and PNP draws, as well as facilitate the processing of family reunification, temporary foreign worker, and international student applications.
In a recent speech, Canada’s immigration minister stated that the country remains committed to its immigration levels plan as it seeks to welcome immigrants to support Canada’s post-coronavirus economic recovery. If trends continue as expected, the next Express Entry draw will see IRCC invite CEC candidates to apply for permanent residence status.