Express Entry draws were rather predictable before the coronavirus pandemic. Generally, draws were held on Wednesdays every two weeks by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), though this was not an official regulation. Over 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence and approximately 470 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-offs would normally be included in each draw. When does the IRCC schedule draw for Express Entry?
Back then, things were more stable because, since the system’s launch in January 2015, Express Entry’s policy objectives had mostly remained intact. Furthermore, the IRCC was getting near to meeting its target of processing 80% of applications for permanent residence through Express Entry in fewer than six months. This allowed it to continue regularly issuing fresh ITAs, providing applicants for Express Entry with additional assurance.
However, there has been far less regularity in Express Entry lotteries since the pandemic started. The frequency of draws, their nature, the quantity of ITAs, and the CRS cut-offs are no longer predictable.
For instance, in the lead-up to June this year, Express Entry drawings were held regularly, roughly every two weeks. Draws started happening more regularly after IRCC implemented category-based selection. This was done to fulfill a wider range of policy objectives, including as alleviating labor shortages and increasing the number of Francophone immigrants welcomed.
IRCC conducted a total of 12 Express Entry draws between June 27 and August 15, the period during which category-based selection was used. This was unusual since, according to historical patterns, the IRCC would normally hold between 4 and 8 draws over a similar amount of time. After delaying the issuance of Express Entry invitations for a little more than a month, the IRCC conducted nine additional draws between September 19 and October 26. When does the IRCC schedule draw for Express Entry?
Since October 26, there hasn’t been a draw, and the IRCC hasn’t given any explanation for the suspension. When the IRCC holds Express Entry drawings, however, may depend on a number of important criteria.
Immigration Levels Plan
The Immigration Levels Plan, which the IRCC presents every year, establishes goals for the total number of admissions of permanent residents to Canada over the next three years.
These goals are further divided into categories, which include applicants for Express Entry.
For instance, the IRCC anticipates using Express Entry to bring in 110,770 immigrants in 2024 and 117,550 in 2025 and 2026. These numbers comprise the primary candidates who obtain Express Entry ITAs, along with the qualifying spouses and children they may include on their applications for permanent residence.
The IRCC must continuously assess the volume of applications for permanent residency that are pending in order to make sure it reaches these goals. It might not be necessary for the department to issue any more ITAs if there are enough applications for IRCC to accomplish its goals for the current and following year. In the event that the processing queue is overflowing, the IRCC will probably hold more draws or send out more ITAs.
Because it takes six months to process an Express Entry candidate’s final application, the IRCC takes both the current year and the next year into account when determining how many ITAs to issue in terms of targets. This means, for example, that ITAs issued in the latter half of 2023 will likely result in a permanent resident completing their landing in 2024.
IRCC policy objectives
In order to achieve the goals of its policies, the department must also think about the kinds of draws it should host.
The goal of Canada’s immigration minister is to boost the country’s economy. In order to accomplish this, the minister gives directives encouraging immigrants who possess the necessary skills to fill labor shortages and boost the country’s GDP as soon as they arrive in Canada.
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) invites to Express Entry are a crucial additional means of accomplishing this.
There may occasionally be pauses to Express Entry draws as the IRCC considers its options because selecting which candidates to invite takes time and careful thought. For instance, the minister must determine whether it makes more sense to hold program-specific drawings or invite candidates in a round of invitations based on categories, or whether candidates should be invited in an all-program draw that takes into account applicants from all three Express Entry administered programs.
In 2021, the International Refugee Committee (IRCC) aimed to bring in over 400,000 new permanent residents despite continued pandemic-related obstacles such travel bans and processing delays. Large Express Entry lotteries for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates were one important way it tried to accomplish this goal, as the majority of them were already in Canada and it would be easier for IRCC to get them permanent residency. In order to address more general policy goals, the IRCC has conducted more drawings since implementing category-based selection. These goals include:
- Promote economic development in regions across the country
- Invite candidates with high human capital who are well-placed to integrate into the Canadian labour market
- Facilitate temporary to permanent residence transitions
- Strengthen Francophone communities outside of Quebec
- Inviting candidates with work experience in STEM, healthcare, transportation, agriculture, and skilled trades
Changes to the Comprehensive Ranking System and Express Entry profiles
Express Entry draws may also be impacted by sporadic modifications to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and other Express Entry profile adjustments.
The frequency of Express Entry draws may also be affected, though this is not common. An alteration to the way the IRCC assigns CRS points to a particular attribute may do so.
For instance, the IRCC raised the maximum amount of CRS points a candidate might be awarded for proficiency in French in 2020. When that occurs, the IRCC must finish several technological changes to guarantee that all current profiles have the most recent CRS scores. When does the IRCC schedule draw for Express Entry?
IT issues
IT issues, including glitches, are another factor that can influence Express Entry.
The Express Entry profile builder is having problems, according to the most recent report from the IRCC. Candidates who have previously gotten an ITA might not be able to upload their final permanent residency application within the required 60 days due to the problem.
The IRCC tweeted on November 29 that candidates will have an extra 60 days to submit their applications if they are unable to upload their profiles as a result of the incident.
There could be IRCC issues during the rollout of new systems. For instance, IRCC Deputy Minister Christiane Fox brought up the issue of IT glitches that followed the implementation of category-based invitation selection rounds during a recent meeting of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration.
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