Maple News reports that on December 23, Canada held its final Express Entry draw of the year, issuing 5,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this round was 468, representing a slight drop from the previous draw held on December 9, where the cutoff was 469.
This draw marks the fourth consecutive round inviting 5,000 candidates, bringing the total number of ITAs issued in 2020 to an unprecedented 107,350—setting a new record for annual invitations under the Express Entry system. This surge highlights Canada’s ongoing commitment to immigration, even amid the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has significantly ramped up invitations in all-program Express Entry draws since early September. This proactive approach demonstrates Canada’s forward-thinking immigration policy, designed to attract top international talent and support economic recovery.
The Express Entry system manages applications across three main federal economic immigration streams: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Certain Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are also aligned with Express Entry. Candidates are ranked using the CRS, which considers key factors such as age, education, skilled work experience, and language proficiency in English or French.
Only the top-ranking candidates receive ITAs. In cases where multiple candidates share the same CRS score, IRCC applies a tie-breaking rule based on the date and time the candidate’s Express Entry profile was submitted. For this specific draw, candidates with a score of 468 or higher needed to have submitted their profiles before June 4, 2020, at 13:39:44 UTC.
This year’s numbers reflect Canada’s strategic use of its immigration system to address labor shortages and bolster its economy despite ongoing global travel challenges. While earlier in the pandemic IRCC limited draws to program-specific invitations, recent draws have returned to all-program selections, indicating a policy shift aimed at long-term economic growth.
Looking ahead to 2021, the high volume of invitations suggests IRCC will continue to prioritize skilled immigration as a key driver for national development. Candidates are advised to ensure their Express Entry profiles remain competitive and up to date, as the upward momentum in ITAs may continue into the new year.