Since December 2020, Express Entry draws were halted for more than a year. This pause harmed the economic growth of Canada and as a result, the IRCC came back in full force in July 2022. The Express Entry draws resumed with the higher scores, pulling a minimum of 557 until its 10th draw on the 9th November 2022 of 494.
4750 candidates with this score as a minimum were sent an invitation to apply (ITA’s) for permanent residency. These candidates were spread between the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP).
Considering Canada’s new plan to invite over 500 000 candidates per year in the new 2023-2025 immigration program, we can expect the draw rounds for Express Entry to come down dramatically.
What does this mean for South Africans? The positive news is that the express entry draw is decreasing points allowing more and more people to get ITA. This has been the smallest drop since the program has resumed, however, Express Entry is not the only program for migration to Canada. In the 18 months pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of invites were sent through Provincial nomination programs (PNPs). Most draws were inviting less than 1000 people, now the draws have increased to over 4000. If the new year has a target of 500 000 per year, they need to dramatically drop the score and invite at least 40 000 per month.
As the scores decrease and the demand increases this is an incredible time for young, professional South Africans to go on the boat and broaden their opportunities in Canada. Contact an NWI consultant to check your eligibility with a free assessment.