Canada has started Express Entry draws for all immigration programs again to support its post-COVID-19 economic recovery, which means all candidates who are looking forward to migrating to Canada have the opportunity to apply for permanent residence.
A total of 1500 candidates received invitations to apply for permanent residency through the latest Express Entry draw conducted on 6 July. The latest CRS cut-off to be invited was 557.
Prior to the stoppage, the last Express Entry draw for all programs was conducted on 23 December 2020, in this draw there are 5000 candidates were received invitations to apply by IRCC. Since the occurrence of COVID-19, IRCC has only conducted an Express Entry program for CEC and PNP candidates. After 21 September 2021, IRCC paused the draw for CEC candidates because the IRCC was not able to maintain the application processing time within the standard of the six-month services.
Some points are given below to help you if you have any doubt about entering the pool at this time.
The New Express Entry application process will be returned to its standard six-month service
Canada’s immigration minister Sean Fraser stated that the processing time for new express entry applications will be six-months again.
As per the notes by IRCC briefing notes, between September 2021 to February 2022 IRCC was capable to clear the backlog list of around 50,000 people. According to the 31 March signed document, the Express Entry inventory of IRCC is enough to complete the target level of 2022 but IRCC will have to start releasing invitations between July to September to complete the target level of 2023.
According to the immigration level plan for 2022-2024, IRCC is set a goal to migrate 55,900 of those candidates who do not have PNP through Express Entry by the end of 2022. By 2023 IRCC is set a goal to migrate 75,750 candidates. It is expected that IRCC’s target will rise to 111,500 by 2024. The IRCC will have to increase the size of the draw to complete the target of 2024. These plans can be adjusted until November 1, when the new multi-year immigration level plan should be introduced.
All this to say, we know that draw levels for these programs will continue to rise in line with plan targets. The draw size will likely continue to be affected by the need for immigrants in Canada as well as the ability of IRCC to maintain this standard.
Canada requires migrants
The latest snapshot of the Canadian labor market shows the requirement of newcomers in Canada. The labor force in Canada largely decrease in June because only fewer people are looking for a job and people aged 55 or older leaving the labor force. Simultaneously, due to the need for summer jobs around 1 million job requirements are there in Canada.
We’ve known for a long time that 9 million Baby Boomers in Canada will reach their retainment age this decade. According to the latest survey of RBC, one-third of the population of Canada is retiring early, and due to the pandemic, there are 10 pre-retirees who are changing their date of retirement.
However, the fertility rate in 2020 fell to a record low was 1.4 children per woman. To replace this rate population required a rate of 2.1 babies per woman. Further down, to replace the retirees who are leaving the workforce the new generation of natural-born Canadians will not be enough.
There is only one way to address the shortage of labor which is to immigrate to a high level of migrants. Canada targets to increase its population by about 1% each year through immigration. Most of these immigrants come from the economic class. Before this year, express entry was the prime pathway of immigration and as per the new level plan by 2024, it will become the prime pathway of immigration again.
Express Entry improvements are on the way
According to the recent bill passed by Canada, the immigration minister will be able to invite Express Entry candidates based on the economic goal of Canada. Fraser has expected retention rates for immigrants to be increased through the express entry system because he releases his ITA which is based on the need of economic.
Few details are given about what these draws might look like, but they may be based on the candidate’s occupation, language ability, or field.
Boost your Score through PNP
If you are planning to immigrate to Canada and you are qualified to Express Entry then living in the pool increases your chances of getting an invitation to apply for immigration to Canada. As well as it will allow you to be qualified for provincial nomination and you will be awarded 600 extra CRS points which help to boost your CRS score. With the help of this score, your Express Entry profile will rank at the top of the pool. The provinces of Canada also release invitations to apply for those candidates whose score is less than 400. For instance, Alberta has released invitations for candidates who score under 300.
The validity duration of your Express Entry profile in the Candidate’s pool for 12 months. At the same time, you will work on yourself to increase your CRS points to increase your chance of getting an ITA.
Immigration to Canada has no guarantees, but with Express Entry you have an opportunity to get permanent residence status for six months after the date of your application.
But the only challenge you will face is to make yourself eligible for Express Entry.
