The most recent Express Entry draw for all programs was held in Canada on 28 September 2022. Seven all-program draws have been held since the program restarted on 6 July.
IRCC invited 3,750 applicants to apply if they achieved a score of 504 on the CRS. Since this was an all-program draw, IRCC sent invitations to qualified applicants from the Federal Skilled Trade Program, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Workers Program.
Three draws in a row have resulted in more invitations being sent out than the previous round. For the September 14 draw, 3,250 candidates were invited, while for the August 31 draw, 2,750 were invited. The CRS has also fallen to its lowest point since the program draws have resumed. After peaking at 557 on July 6, the CRS scores have gradually declined. During the first five draws, scores decreased by eight or nine points. On September 14, six points were lost; this week, six points were lost as well.
COVID-19 travel-related restrictions resulted in a backlog of applications that delayed all Express Entry draws for more than 18 months starting in December 2020. While the pandemic was in effect, only applicants from the CEC and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) received an invitation to apply. The CEC draw was also discontinued by the IRCC in September 2021.
Decrease in backlog
A report released recently by IRCC shows that backlog applications fell from 2.7 million to 2.6 million between July and August 31. Additionally, fewer Express Entry applications will need to wait for processing as a result. On the last day of July, 51,616 people were listed in the Express Entry database. It dropped by more than 10,000 applications in just six weeks, from 51,161 to 40,180 as of August 31.
Applications from PNP applicants comprise the majority of the inventory. The significance of this can be attributed to the fact that some PNPs, also called enhanced nominations, are compatible with Express Entry programs. In accordance with IRCC, the backlog of enhanced PNP applications has diminished. People are requesting PNPs directly from their provincial governments (base PNPs) in increasing numbers.
Database of Express Entry
| Immigration program | Persons as of August 31 |
| Skilled Trades (EE) | 299 |
| Federal Skilled Workers (EE) | 11,669 |
| Provincial/Territorial Nominees (EE) | 22,998 |
| Canadian Experience Class (EE) | 5,214 |
| Total | 40,180 |
Since the beginning of 2022, Canada has invited 28,039 immigrants through its Express Entry draw. In accordance with Canada’s Immigration Level Plan 2022-2024, the country hopes to welcome 432,000 immigrants by this year’s end. More than 300,000 newcomers from all industries have already arrived in Canada, so this goal seems likely to be achieved.
There are more job vacancies than ever before
The strong immigration goals of Canada, including those achieved through the Express Entry program, are the result of a variety of factors, including the current employment vacancy rate of 5.7%. With the baby boom generation getting closer to retirement age, there will be a rising scarcity of competent labor.
Labor shortages will lead to changes in the Express Entry draw in 2023. As soon as next year, incoming immigrants will be able to apply for ITAs based on their educational, professional, or linguistic backgrounds. This adjustment may have an impact on the importance of a high CRS for candidates because targeted draws may give other characteristics greater weight.
About Express Entry System
Federal and provincial economic programs can apply for permanent residency through Express Entry, an online system for managing immigration applications.
It is a strategy for choosing the top applicants for Canada’s current skilled worker immigration programs rather than an immigration program in and of itself. Three Canadian programs are managed through this system those programs are the Canadian Experience Class – CEC, Federal Skilled Trade Program – FSTP, and Federal Skilled Workers Program – FSWP.
CRS is a points-based method used to rank candidates’ profiles for Express Entry. Invitations to Apply (ITA) are issued to the top-scoring applicants for permanent residency.
IRCC officials review the application when the candidate submits it. An interview and paperwork may accompany biometrics requests. In the event that the applicant is successful in obtaining Canadian citizenship, he or she will become a permanent resident of the country.
