Express Entry: Q3 2020 records an all-time high ITAs issued

The third quarter of 2020 has issued a record number of invitations to apply for Canada PR under the Express Entry system. This is a piece of encouraging information for immigration candidates as it means that the COVID-19 pandemic could not stop Canada from issuing a large number of ITAs for permanent residence. Canada has invited around 28,450 Express Entry candidates in the Q3 of 2020. This figure is much higher than any past quarter since the launch of Express Entry in 2015. With the third quarter, the number of ITAs issued this year has now reached to 78,350. So, 2020 has been a record-breaking year for Express Entry System despite the pandemic. During the 2nd Quarter this year, the IRCC held program-specific draws only. So, candidates belonging to the Federal Skilled Worker Program were completely excluded in Q2. Despite that, Canada still managed to invite 27,300 immigration candidates in the second quarter of 2020.

Q3 2020 Express Entry Analysis

In August, the IRCC conducted some different types of Express Entry draws which are a rare occurrence. On 5th August, Canada invited express entry candidates from all programs. Within a day, on 6th August, Canada held another draw for the Federal Skilled Trades program only. Then, the IRCC held PNP and CEC-specific express entry draws consecutively on 19th and 20th August. In September, the IRCC has issued 4,200 invitations in all the three all-program express entry draws. It takes around 6-8 months to process applications under the Express Entry. So, people who have received ITAs in this quarter will arrive in Canada in 2021 as permanent residents.

Provincial Nominee Program Draws in Q3

Provincial Nominee Programs offer alternative pathways to Canadian Permanent Residence. Candidates who are unable to get high Comprehensive Ranking System scores for getting an ITA through Express Entry can consider PNPs. Securing a provincial nomination makes a candidate entitled to 600 additional points. This helps them to obtain an ITA whenever the next express entry draw is held. Immigration candidates can apply to the PNP through express entry-linked streams or base PNP streams. To be eligible for the express entry-linked streams, a candidate must have an express entry profile. In Q3 of 2020, several provinces have held draws such as Manitoba, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and P.E.I. Manitoba chose to conduct six draws this quarter under the MPNP (Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program). The province invited candidates through the three categories of the MPNP:

International Education Stream
Skilled Worker in Manitoba
Skilled Worker Overseas.

Nova Scotia invited candidates through the Labor Market Priorities category of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program. The province sent invitations to 47 express entry candidates with specific occupations. British Columbia has held a large number of draws during this past quarter. The province conducts tech draws typically every week through the British Columbia Tech Pilot. Apart from the tech candidates, the province invites other candidates also depending on the labor market requirements. In the third quarter of 2020, Saskatchewan has held four draws through the Occupation In-Demand and Saskatchewan Express Entry categories. Ontario is the most famous province for Canadian immigration. It held three draws in Q3 and invited nearly 2,000 candidates through the Human Capital Priorities Stream and Entrepreneur category of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. Further, Prince Edward Island has been active in conducting draws past quarter. It held six draws through three categories:

Express Entry
Labor Impact
Business Impact.

Quebec Immigration in Q3

Quebec has held its biggest draw of 2020 on September 24 by issuing invitations to 365 candidates to submit an application for Quebec Selection Certificate. Candidates were invited under the Regular Skilled Worker Program of Quebec. Considering the performance of Q3 in 2020, we can assume that Canada is actively seeking new immigrants. Thus, interested candidates can apply for Canada PR at the earliest.