Maple News reports that nearly 80% of Express Entry candidates as of January 4, 2022, fell under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), underscoring a growing backlog due to a prolonged pause in invitations for this group.
According to data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), out of 193,565 candidates in the Express Entry pool, 154,421 were eligible under FSWP, making up approximately 80% of the total. Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates accounted for 38,223, while Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) candidates numbered only 577. Meanwhile, 344 candidates were placed under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
The high concentration of FSWP candidates is largely due to the absence of all-program Express Entry draws since December 2020. During the pandemic, Canada adjusted its strategy to prioritize applicants already living within its borders, focusing heavily on CEC and PNP candidates. This approach helped the federal government meet its ambitious target of admitting over 400,000 new permanent residents in 2021, as CEC applicants typically do not face the same travel-related hurdles as foreign-based applicants.
While CEC candidates made up just 6% of the pool in June 2021, their share has risen to nearly 20% following a halt in CEC-targeted draws in September 2021. The pause, according to internal IRCC communications, was intended to reduce application backlogs and bring average processing times back down to the six-month target. By 2020, processing times had climbed to as much as nine months, in part due to pandemic-related delays.
The strategic pivot away from FSWP drew attention, considering this category historically accounted for close to half of all Express Entry invitations prior to COVID-19. In 2019, FSWP applicants received around 45% of all Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. With no recent invitations, many highly qualified foreign workers are now stuck in Express Entry limbo.
While PNP and CEC draws have continued into 2022, the influx of FSWP candidates is raising questions about when IRCC will resume more inclusive, all-program draws. As of now, many prospective immigrants abroad are waiting for policy shifts that could once again render them competitive for permanent residence invitations.
Maple News will continue monitoring IRCC’s Express Entry draw trends, especially any developments regarding the reopening of FSWP and CEC invitations.