In March 2023, Canada’s Express Entry sees record-breaking success. It includes a record number of invitations to apply in one all-program draw since it began operating in 2015.
In addition to the CEC, the FSWP, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), the federal government uses Express Entry to manage immigration applications for the FSTP and FSWP (Federal Skilled Worker Program).
As part of the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025, Canada expects to accept at least 82,000 new immigrants through Express Entry in the next three years.
The most recent Immigration Levels Plan estimates that Canada will welcome 82,800 immigrants through Express Entry in 2023, 109,020 immigrants in 2024, and 114,000 immigrants in 2025.
This objective was achieved by Express Entry in March, one of the major milestones in Canada’s immigration system. We will discuss these notable events in the following section.
The second-most ITAs in a single month in over two years
Since February 2021, March saw a spike in the number of ITAs that were issued by IRCC. As a result of Express Entry’s eight-year history, 21,667 ITAs have been awarded during March 2023. It was the second-highest month of ITA awarding since its launch.
Express Entry’s largest all-program draw
A record-breaking all-program draw for Express Entry was conducted by IRCC this past month. The goal of encouraging 7,000 people to apply for permanent residency in Canada was achieved on March 15 when 7,000 people submitted applications.
An ITA draw was held on January 18 that gave away 5,500 ITAs, a record.
A total of 7,000 ITAs were distributed by IRCC through three consecutive draws, so 7,000 ITAs were distributed for three consecutive weeks.
21,000 ITAs in two weeks
Within the two-week period from March 15 to March 29, the IRCC granted 21,000 ITAs as a result of the aforementioned milestone.
A record-breaking 7,000 immigration applicants submitted applications for Canadian permanent residency through IRCC’s all-program draw on March 15. An additional 7,000 ITAs were distributed to applicants eight days later, on March 23. After a surprise all-program draw earlier that day. The Canadian permanent resident application was required six days after the draw for 7,000 additional applicants for economic immigration.
In 27 months, this is the lowest score for an all-program draw in the CRS
The CRS score must be high for Express Entry applicants to be successful. Since IRCC sends ITAs only to applicants with scores greater than the cut-off score for a given round of invitations. Only applicants who have high scores in CRS will be invited to apply.
It’s notable that CRS scores (across all program draws) fell to their lowest level since December 2020 by the end of March. CRS scores cut off on March 23 and March 15 were 484 and 490, respectively. But by March 29 they had fallen to 481 and 482 respectively.
According to CRS data from December 23, 2020, the cutoff score for all programs was 468.
Express Entry – It’s future
CRS scores, ITA numbers, and the quantity of Express Entry applications have historically proved difficult to predict. As there is no set rule for the IRCC’s draw schedule or number of applicants who will receive an ITA during any given round of invitations, this may continue in the future.
Although, we expect the IRCC to begin conducting targeted drawings by the second quarter of this year. Immigration candidates will be awarded ITAs based on particular variables such as occupation, educational background, language ability, etc., in targeted Express Entry draws. However, the precise start point for these draws has yet to be determined. All provinces and territories should be able to increase the impact of immigration into this country with these draws. These are anticipated to help Canada better meet specific labor market needs.
