Maple News reports that the Government of Canada has issued 4,200 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence to candidates in the Express Entry system, in a draw held on September 2. This marks the largest all-program draw since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and signals Canada’s continued commitment to high levels of skilled immigration.
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required in this round was 475, a slight decrease from the previous threshold of 476 in the August 5 all-program draw. Candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) were all included in this selection round.
This draw is the third all-program draw since March 18 and the 162nd draw conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). All-program draws consider candidates from all three main economic immigration pathways managed through Express Entry.
Prior to the pandemic, Canada had regularly issued around 4,500 ITAs per draw. The September 2 draw reflects a return to larger invitation numbers, up from the usual 3,900 ITAs that had been issued throughout most of 2020. This increase by 300 additional invitations indicates Canada’s efforts to maintain strong immigration targets despite global challenges.
With this draw, the total number of ITAs issued in 2020 has reached 69,950—setting a new record for this point in the year. This milestone reaffirms IRCC’s strategic focus on leveraging immigration to support labor market needs and long-term economic recovery.
Express Entry is the Canadian government’s flagship application management system for three major immigration pathways: the FSWP, FSTC, and CEC. Candidates are ranked based on CRS scores, which consider criteria including age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
IRCC typically holds draws every two weeks, inviting the highest-ranked candidates to apply for permanent residence. With Canadian immigration goals remaining ambitious, prospective applicants are encouraged to maximize their CRS scores and stay alert for upcoming rounds.
Maple News will continue to monitor future draws and provide updates for candidates navigating the Express Entry system.