An internal briefing by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, as reported by CIC news, showed the immigration department preferred more Express Entry candidates who were already in Canada to issue permanent residence (PR).
Q3 2021 that ranged from July, August, and September saw a slow down in Express Entry invitations for Canada PR since Q4 of 2019. IRCC issued a total of 20,981 invitations for Express Entry candidates to apply for permanent residence.
Fortunately, IRCC has already surpassed its annual target for 2021. As of the last Express Entry draw on October 13, IRCC has issued 110,377 invitations with three more months left in the year.
Nature of Q3 Express Entry Draws
IRCC held alternative program-specific Express Entry draws throughout Q3 2021. Candidates qualifying for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stood a good chance of receiving invitations for permanent residence.
Out of 12 draws last quarter, seven were specifically for PNP candidates (prior provincial nominations), and five draws for CEC candidates (at least one year of work experience in Canada). About 81 per cent of all invitations went to CEC candidates.
Canada is yet to issue an all-program draw which remains to be the most popular immigration pathway among foreign skilled workers without work experience or job offers in Canada. Such draws included candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
As reported by CIC news, CEC will be the main source for immigration admissions in 2021. However earlier this July, IRCC updated the proof of funds requirements for candidates in FSWP & FSTP programs.
Currently, IRCC has an inventory of more than 58,000 FSWP applicants who are unable to enter Canada in June. This does not necessarily mean there will not be any FSWP draws before the end of the year, but it does mean those who have applied may expect delays in processing.
CanApprove has been in the immigration service industry for more than two decades. We expect a boost in Canadian immigration beyond 2021. We strongly recommend all immigration aspirants to enter the Express Entry pool as early as possible to improve their chances of obtaining a Canada PR.
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