Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued more than 30,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) through Express Entry in the past 30 days alone—a significant volume that rivals even the system’s most historic moments.
To understand how aspiring immigrants can benefit from such opportunities, it’s worth revisiting the unprecedented draw held on February 13, 2021. On that day, IRCC issued 27,332 ITAs to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates with an astonishingly low Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of just 75. That draw remains the largest ever, and it offers key lessons that are still highly relevant today.
Here are four critical insights that can help candidates increase their chances of receiving an ITA in future rounds:
1. Get Into the Pool Early: The first step to success is simply being in the Express Entry pool. Without an active profile, you risk missing out on surprise draws with historically low CRS thresholds. While most federal draws typically target higher scores, recent trends—especially through category-based selection—have broadened access to candidates with CRS scores in the 300s.
2. Opportunity May Come Before Your Score Rises: You don’t need a perfect profile to be selected. Factors like work experience in high-demand fields or education credentials can make you eligible for specific categories, potentially giving you an edge even before your score reaches the usual cut-off.
3. Understand the Tie-Breaking Rule: When multiple candidates share the same CRS score, IRCC uses a tie-breaking rule based on application submission date and time. Being prepared and early with your profile can increase your chances in tightly contested draws.
4. Align Your Profile with Current Trends: Keep tabs on the Canadian labour market and IRCC policy changes. The introduction of category-based selection in 2023 means that candidates aligned with in-demand occupations—like healthcare, tech, and trades—now have a better chance of selection, regardless of whether their CRS score is the highest.
Interestingly, four of the ten largest Express Entry draws in history have taken place in just the past two years. This trend indicates that IRCC is increasingly open to larger intake rounds, often targeting specific groups rather than relying solely on high CRS scores.
According to Maple News, the key to success in a fast-changing immigration system is staying informed, keeping your profile updated, and entering the Express Entry pool as early as possible. You never know when the next major draw could open the door to permanent residency in Canada.