Half of 2020 is over and despite the COVID19 crisis, Canada has issued a record 49,900 invitations for PR so far. The number of invitations issued is only second to 2017 when 54,507 invitations were issued in the first half of the year.
The second quarter of 2020 issued 27,300 ITAs (Invitations to Apply), which is one of the best since the second quarter of 2017. This means that despite the pandemic situation, Canada has continued to issue large number of invitations for Canada PR Visa.
The Express Entry Program is the most popular immigration pathway in Canada with a major chunk of skilled migrants coming through this program. The program invites candidates with the highest rank in the Express Entry Pool. The rank is dynamic and depends on two major factors- the CRS score of the candidate and the number of candidates in the pool. The invitation or ITA is an important step in the Canada PR process as only then can you submit a completed application for Canada PR Visa.
Here is the trend of how ITAs were issued in the first half of the year.
Due to the COVID19 crisis, only 4,140 new migrants moved to Canada in April 2020. However, the large number of ITAs issued clearly shows that immigration will be at the forefront during Canada’s recovery stage.
The pandemic situation forced Canada to resort to program-specific draws in the Express Entry Program. The last few draws have been aimed at Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. Hence, to comment on the CRS score trend of 2020 versus those of previous years is difficult.
The IRCC conducted 14 Express Entry draws in the second quarter of 2020. This is the greatest number of draws ever conducted in a single quarter. Canada has already conducted 21 invitation rounds in 2020. The maximum draws ever held was 30 in 2017 with 17 draws held in the first half of the year.
CEC draws
A major chunk of the ITAs issued in the second quarter of 2020 went to CEC candidates. The second quarter issued 27,300 invitations. Out of these, 24crs,430 or 89% were issued to CEC candidates. The large number of ITAs caused the CRS scores to fall in every subsequent draw. From 464 in the 9th April draw to 431 in the 25th June draw, the CRS scores have dipped by 33 points.
The lowest-ever CRS score was 413 in the 31st May 2017 draw which saw 3,877 invitations issued.
PNP draws
The CRS score in the PNP draws was much higher which is obvious considering a provincial nomination is worth 600 points. The CRS scores in the PNP draws varied between a low of 692 and 808.
PNP candidates, however, received a lesser number of ITAs as compared to CEC candidates. PNP candidates obtained 2,870 or 11% of the ITAs issued across 7 draws.
How does the Express Entry Program for the rest of 2020 look like?
The fate of the Express Entry Program will depend on how the COVID19 situation unfolds during the rest of 2020. However, it is very likely that all-program draws will resume as soon as the restrictions are removed. Removal of the travel restrictions will also result in more new immigrants moving to Canada.
As per the latest news, the Canada-US border will continue to be sealed till 21st July. Restriction on foreign travellers to Canada will also likely be lifted by 31st July. It will be a wait and watch situation how immigration resumes once restrictions are removed. Also, it is to be seen if Canada manages to reach its intake target of 341,000 immigrants in 2020.
Are you also interested in moving to Canada? Have you checked out your eligibility? Use the CRS calculator to see if you qualify. The Canada CRS calculator will give you an idea of your current CRS score and how to improve it for better results.If you want to start your Canada immigration process, get in touch with Nationwide Visas. Nationwide Visas is the top immigration consultant in India with a 100% success rate for Canada PR. To get started call 9292929281 or write to enquiry@nationwidevisas.com.