Express Entry draw frequency is a major decision for IRCC. Moreover, the recent changes in the Express Entry system have made people question the department’s decision-making process.
The routine in which the Express Entry draws occurred also witnessed slight changes. Usually, the draws take place once in two weeks (mostly on Wednesdays). However, last year itself, IRCC paused this pattern of draws from November 23 onwards. The draws resumed on January 11, 2023, with 5,500 candidates receiving ITAs. Surprisingly, another draw took place the same week for Express Entry all-program draws.
IRCC’s decision-making process regarding Express Entry draw frequency
Until now, there was no confirmation regarding this unexpected pause in the draws. Lately, an IRCC spokesperson revealed that a technical glitch was the chief reason behind this pause. The technical flaw was related to the replacement of the old NOC 2016 with the latest version of NOC 2021.
He further explained that executing the new NOC system from November 16 caused major challenges for the entire Express Entry system. Hence, the following draw on November 23 witnessed technical flaws leading to an unprecedented temporary pause.
However, with the last draw on January 11, 2023, everything ran smoothly as the draw took place without any issues.
IRCC currently aims to hold invitation rounds regularly, but the unexpected pause and the surprising consecutive draws in one week have made people question the frequency of these draws.
Moreover, everybody is curious to understand the decision-making process of IRCC regarding the occurrence of Express Entry draws.
Express Entry works with its primary economic class immigration paths, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the FSTP, and the Canadian Experience Class.
These programs help in the selection of highly skilled economic immigrants. Furthermore, qualifying candidates develop their Express Entry profiles and upload them on the official website of IRCC. The department issues invitations to apply for Permanent Residence.
Express Entry
The concept of Express Entry emerged in 2015 and typically witnessed 23 to 30 draws each year. IRCC introduced this system to bring forth permanent residents possessing in-demand skills who could contribute significantly to the Canadian workforce by assimilating into the Canadian labor market.
Express Entry draws and their patterns
Per the former trends of these draws, most have been for all programs under Express Entry. However, at least two draws occurred for the Federal Skilled Trade Program in 2019. Initially, in 2015 and 2016, only a few candidates received invitations to apply, accounting for 2,000 ITAs.
Later, this situation also changed, with draws inviting at least 3,000 candidates between 2017 and 2019. The transition happened because IRCC initially operated through paper-based applications and later had to shift to an entirely digital system completely.
Hence, the department slowly increased the number of ITAs because of the increased inventory applications (paper-based). The department aimed to send maximum ITAs until the complete transition to the digital system in 2017.
Repercussions of the pandemic on Express Entry
COVID-19 caused severe destruction to the Canadian immigration system as border closures and restrictions on travel didn’t allow workers to get on with their office work. Hence, the application backlog increased dramatically. Consequently, IRCC paused the draws for the FSWP and FSTP in December 2020. However, draws under the Canadian Experience Class continued to take place, but later in September 2021, these also stopped. IRCC kept issuing ITAs to Express Entry applicants through Provincial Nominee Programs. Although the draws became program-specific, they took place regularly.
In 2022, from July onwards, the all-programs draws resumed; meanwhile, their size increased once in two weeks. On the other hand, the CRS score declined to allow several candidates to receive invitations.
Also, from November 23 onwards, draw invitations increased to 4.750, and this turned out to be the largest one since December 2020.
How does the Express Entry work?
The Express Entry follows specific rules and regulations to function smoothly; they’re as follows:
Frequency
According to the IRPA, no specific law determines the frequency of Express Entry draws. This will largely depend upon the immigration minister and IRCC. Additionally, the number of candidates who receive ITAs, as well as the least CRS score, are often the decisions of the immigration minister.
Besides this, the minister also has the right to issue a mandate covering Canada’s economic requirements to help in flourishing the labor force. He must do the following as part of his job:
- Combat the severe existing labor shortages in the country and enhance prospects.
- Help in bringing in more Francophone communities and bolster the economic growth in these communities.
The minister has permission to provide ministerial instructions to the government that will positively influence the Canadian workforce. On the other hand, they must help the invited candidates to assimilate well into the Canadian system.
Immigration target plans
Express Entry functions with an annual target of the Immigration Levels Plan similar to all immigration pathways. For instance, the target for 2022 federal high-skilled workers remained at 55,900. However, there is a steep rise in the 2023 target at 82,880. Furthermore, this implies that the next year IRCC will have to surpass this figure to meet a higher-level target. Per the Federal High Skilled Immigrants, the targets for 2024 will need to rise to another level. The target plan is to invite at least 109,020 highly skilled immigrants.
Moreover, IRCC and the immigration minister will have to re-analyze the targets and accordingly structure the target plan. They will have to create a balance for the CRS scores because they can’t keep it too high as it will only further limit the candidates.
Hence, it depends on IRCC and the immigration minister to decide the process of Express Entry draws and how and when they will occur.
Upcoming changes
According to IRCC, candidates will receive invitations based on different factors and categories. These categories will include specific features like work experience, education, language skills, and occupation.
Last year in June, since Bill C-19 was passed, IRCC continued to build new Express Entry program categories. Moreover, this approach is massively different from the initial method of bringing in candidates based merely on higher CRS scores.
Additionally, the immigration minister further stated that the new approach would enable the selection of candidates based on the country’s economic needs. This way, the government will be able to combat the existing labor shortage.
Conclusion
Amidst all the recent changes, Express Entry candidates will still need to upload their profiles on the official website of IRCC. Also, targeted draws might witness top-scoring candidates receiving ITAs.
However, it is yet to be seen the kind of impact these targeted draws will likely have on the schedules of Express Entry draws. Due to the increased immigration levels, we can assume that IRCC will conduct regular draws.
