Government of Canada issued 3294 ITAs in latest draw

On April 9, 2020, 2 Canada Express Entry draws were conducted. The first draw was for Canada immigration. In this draw, 606 candidates will be issued Invitations to Apply (ITA). The nominations for the exclusive candidates chosen in this draw will be sent through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The cut-off threshold of the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw was 698 points.

The second draw was exclusively restricted for those in the Canadian Experience Candidates (CEC) of Express Entry. 3,294 candidates will be issued ITAs. The CRS cut-off score was 464 points.

An all-program draw was conducted in Canada more than a month ago. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis on Express Entry draws is not clear yet. This is because Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has not given any clear data. But the latest draws indicate positive developments. Immigration Canada is making all efforts to keep these programs running even in challenging conditions.

A striking feature of the latest IRCC draw is that it has limited the Express Entry draw candidature. It's restricted exclusively to CEC candidates and those with provincial nominations. This is the second time in a month that it has happened so. It’s doubted that such a decision was influenced by the present COVID-19 crisis.

The time of occurrence of the next Express Entry draw is not clear. There is also the doubt whether the next draw will include candidates from all programs. The most recent all-program draw was conducted over a month ago on March 4, 2020.

As for now, the only hope that Canada gives us is that the Express Entry program will continue. This can be deduced from the draws on March 19, March 23, and April 9, 2020.

Canada is also processing immigration applications for Express Entry. But applicants may have to wait as there could be delays in processing. This is owing to certain IRCC offices being closed and phone lines shut down as part of measures to deal with COVID-19.

Also, a reduced cut-off CRS score is quite a possibility in this crisis time. But no assured measures are announced in this regard by Canada. There is nevertheless a commendable attempt that Canada must be lauded for inviting foreign immigrants. If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate to Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

If you found this blog engaging, you may also like…

COVID-19 won’t stop Canada from accepting spousal PR requests