IRCC Breaks the Record for Express Entry Candidates in 2021

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"The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) broke the record for the most Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued in a year with its latest Express Entry draw. On September 14, 2021, the IRCC conducted an Express Entry draw to invite 2,000 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applicants with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 462 points."

Written by My Visa Source Team
Published on: Oct 7, 2021

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) broke the record for the most Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued in a year with its latest Express Entry draw. On September 14, 2021, the IRCC conducted an Express Entry draw to invite 2,000 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applicants with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 462 points.

With this draw, the total number of applicants invited this year reached 108,414. This number is significantly higher considering there are 3 more months to come in 2021. Compared to the 107,350 applicants invited in 2020 and a total of 89,800 ITAs issued in 2018, the Express Entry system has recovered post-pandemic.

How Many Express Entry Draws Were Conducted in 2021?

The IRCC conducted a total of 34 Express Entry draws in 2021, including 17 draws for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants. A total of 8,716 PNP applicants have been invited this year through the Express Entry system. The maximum number of ITAs issued this year was on February 13, 2021, to invite a whooping 27,332 CEC applicants.

In 2021, the IRCC will mainly switch between CEC and PNP applicants since they are already residing in Canada as temporary residents. Despite the pandemic, the IRCC managed to issue 107,350 ITAs in 2020.

What is the Express Entry System?

The Express Entry system manages applications for 3 federal economic immigration programs:

The Express Entry system uses the Expression of Interest (EOI) system to select eligible candidates. Candidates are required to submit their profiles with all the required information. The system will then assess their profile based on factors, such as their age, language proficiency, education level, and work experience. The system will rank their profile based on these factors. The IRCC conducts biweekly draws to nominate the highest-ranking candidates who will receive an ITA for permanent residence.

What Can Be Expected in the Future Express Entry Draws?

The IRCC still has a long way to go to achieve its target of inviting 401,000 immigrants in 2021. Therefore, applicants can expect significant Express Entry draws in the future with low CRS requirements. Until now, the IRCC's focus has been on inviting temporary residents. However, as the border restrictions are relaxed, they can be expected to shift their focus on the FSWP to invite candidates who are currently overseas. While the CRS requirement for future draws can not be predicted, it is always recommended that the candidates try to improve their CRS score through factors such as securing an employment offer or improving their language skills.