Canada: The First All-program Express Entry Draw since the Outbreak of the Pandemic

After a gap of almost four months, Canada held the first all-program Express Entry draw on July 8 in which, a total of 3900 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 478 received Invitations to Apply(ITAs) for permanent residence in Canada. The latest Express Entry draw marked the end of stalemate for Foreign Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), and Foreign Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) candidates as they had been excluded from all the Express Entry draws held from March 4, till date. The Express Entry draws held after Canada introduced restrictive measures in the wake of coronavirus pandemic had been exclusively targeting Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates.

Canada’s resumption of all-program Express Entry draws is an indication that the country could effectively bring the coronavirus health crisis under control and reopen its borders for welcoming newcomers. Secondly, the all-program draw indicates that Canada remains committed to its plan for welcoming close to 1 million newcomers by 2022. Thirdly, it implies that Canada still needs immigrants to support the growth of its economy and ensure an adequate supply of skilled labour to employers in the country. With the latest draw, the total number of Express Entry ITAs issued by Canada so far this year has reached 53800.

Canada’s approach to immigration is the opposite of that of the US. Recently, US President Donald Trump signed a new Executive Order to the effect of halting the entry of all temporary foreign workers and green card holders to the country for the rest of the year. At the same time, Marco Mendicino, Canada’s immigration minister, has reiterated on more than one occasion, Canada’s commitment to welcoming immigrants to the country. “We have a plan in place that looks to leverage the best and the brightest from around the world. We’ve got pathways like the Express Entry program, and the Global Talent Stream, which will help to bring entrepreneurs, engineers, and innovators. We’ve also got pathways for manual laborer’s and skilled laborer’s,” he said. The pro-immigration stance of Canada continues to attract skilled talents from across the globe to the country.

Find out more about Canada’s Express Entry system. Contact ImmiLaw Global, the best Canada immigration consultants in Kerala, to know more about your options for Express Entry immigration.