Maple News reports that Canada’s Express Entry system has seen significant changes in how immigration draws are scheduled, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before 2020, the process followed a relatively predictable rhythm, providing consistency and clarity for hopeful applicants. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) typically held draws every two weeks—usually on Wednesdays—inviting more than 3,000 candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores often hovering around the 470-point mark.
During that period, the Express Entry system was stable with consistent policy objectives since its launch in January 2015. Moreover, IRCC was close to its service standard of processing 80% of permanent residence applications within six months, enabling the department to keep invitation rounds regular and predictable.
However, Express Entry has become less predictable in recent years. The pandemic disrupted the regular cadence of draws, and IRCC no longer adheres to a fixed schedule. Timelines, draw frequency, categories targeted, and CRS score cut-offs have all varied considerably.
A major turning point came in mid-2023, when IRCC introduced category-based selection as a tool to better align draw outcomes with Canada’s labor market and demographic needs. The agency started targeting candidates with specific skills, such as those in healthcare or STEM fields, and those who are Francophone or have other in-demand attributes. As a result, from June 27 to August 15, IRCC conducted 12 separate draws—an unusually high number for such a short timeframe.
This strategic shift led to a temporary pause in draws for over a month, followed by nine additional rounds between September 19 and October 26. Since then, there have been no new draws announced, and IRCC has not provided a public explanation for the pause.
According to Maple News, multiple factors affect when IRCC chooses to hold draws. Primarily, the annual Immigration Levels Plan plays a central role. This plan outlines how many new permanent residents Canada aims to welcome each year over a rolling three-year period. Meeting these targets depends on fluctuations in processing capacity, category-specific demand, and broader economic or political priorities.
Draw timing is also influenced by backlog management. If application inventories become too large, IRCC may slow down the rate of new invitations to avoid overwhelming processing systems. Conversely, if processing speeds improve or there are urgent labor market needs, draw frequency may increase.
Going forward, candidates should expect greater variability in Express Entry draws, especially as IRCC continues adopting more targeted, dynamic approaches to immigration selection. While this change may introduce uncertainty, it reflects Canada’s evolving priorities to attract immigrants who fulfill immediate economic needs while supporting long-term demographic and regional goals.