Maple News reports that Canada conducted a new Express Entry draw on November 5, issuing 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence — matching the highest number ever issued in a single round. To be selected in this draw, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 478.
This significant draw follows a short delay in the usual biweekly schedule, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) worked to implement recent changes impacting candidate profiles. The delay allowed IRCC to integrate updates involving additional CRS points awarded to French-speaking and bilingual applicants.
As of late October, French-speaking candidates now receive 25 extra CRS points, up from the previous 15. Bilingual candidates — those proficient in both English and French — can now claim 50 extra points, instead of 30. These adjustments are part of Canada’s broader initiative to promote bilingualism and enhance Francophone immigration outside Quebec.
Express Entry is the federal system Canada uses to manage applications for three key economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. Some candidates under Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are also processed through this system.
Candidates receive CRS scores based on human capital criteria including age, educational background, work experience, and language proficiency. In this draw, the top 4,500 candidates with scores above 478 were invited to apply for Canadian permanent residency.
In cases where multiple candidates have the same CRS score, IRCC applies a tie-breaking rule based on the date and time they submitted their profile. For this round, applicants with a score of 478 or higher needed to have submitted their profile before October 26, 2020, at 22:44:19 UTC to receive an ITA.
This marks the third time Canada has issued 4,500 ITAs in a single Express Entry draw — the highest on record. These large draws align with Canada’s ambitious immigration targets. Under its 2021–2023 immigration levels plan, Canada aims to welcome over 400,000 new permanent residents annually, with more than 100,000 expected to come through Express Entry-managed programs.
The draw signals Canada’s ongoing commitment to attracting skilled global talent despite global uncertainties. With the system increasingly favoring bilingual applicants, French-speaking professionals may find enhanced opportunities for immigration in future rounds.