Canada on the path to set new Express Entry immigration record

Canada immigration is racing towards breaking new records in 2020. At its current pace, chances are that it will issue 100,000 or more ITAs this year itself.

It’s a remarkable feat in the present situation with COVID-19 still active around the world, imposing its negative impact on countries including Canada. The target set by Canada for this year in immigration as stated by Marco Mendicino, Canada’s immigration minister, was 341,000 new PR admissions.

The number of new immigrants planned to reach Canada via Express Entry in Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2020-22 was 91,800. The Express Entry system is Canada’s system of managing the applications of immigrants applying for Canadian PR under its 3 economic classes. The applicants under these economic classes account for 60% of the total new immigrants that reach Canada each year.

Uncertainty regarding meeting targets in immigration came up in March 2020 as travel restrictions were imposed by Canada to prevent the spread of COVID-19. IRCC saw a much lower number of immigrants reaching the country due to the situation.

Certain other eventualities also led to the fall in immigrant arrivals in Canada. This involved those who already got COPRS but were unable to come to Canada due to different reasons. One of these reasons was the expiry of COPRS and hence unable to travel to Canada. Another case is where those who were issued their COPRs after March 18, 2020, are banned from arriving in Canada owing to travel restrictions.

But even in the face of such challenges, Express Entry draws have been regularly conducted on a bi-weekly basis. The pandemic hasn’t stopped this process in Canada and has shown an example to world countries, many of which were grappling with their immigration attempts to take off in the event of the pandemic.

Contrary to common expectations Canada has been scaling new heights in immigration through the pandemic times. On October 14, 2020, Canada conducted its largest Express Entry draw ever with 4,500 ITAs issued to Express Entry candidates.

The invited candidates can now apply for PR. Even if they are abroad at the moment, they can later travel to Canada after the travel restrictions are eased for holders of COPR.

In 2020, Canada has issued 82,850 ITAs to Express Entry candidates so far. The number of ITAs issued per draw has ranged between 3,900 and 4,200. IRCC has plans to conduct more Express Entry draws on 28^th October, 11^th and 25^th November, and 9^th and 23^rd December this year. If IRCC issues 3,900 ITAs in each of these draws, then the total number of ITAs issued till the year’s end will come to 102,350.

Thus, the performance in immigration Canada will show will be exceedingly brilliant compared to its own expectations. With a constant commitment to welcoming more immigrants ashore, Canada will find enough skilled immigrants who are willing to contribute to and support the country’s economy.

Besides the number of immigrants invited, the short time in which the country completes the immigration process is also a major attraction for immigrants. The processing time of over 80% of the Canadian visa applications is 6 months or less in Canada.

In 2021, more large-scale draws will be conducted by Canada at federal and provincial levels. That will mean Canada will be able to achieve better immigration levels targets in 2021-23.

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.

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Note:

PR – Permanent Residency

IRCC – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

COPRS - Confirmations of Permanent Residence

ITA – Invitation to Apply