In the world of Canadian immigration, Express Entry draws are like the heartbeat, pulsing regularly to invite skilled immigrants to become permanent residents. However, there are times when this heartbeat seems to skip a beat and this week when no draw took place, it left applicants and observers wondering why.
Understanding Express Entry Draw
Express Entry is Canada‘s flagship immigration system, designed to manage applications for three key economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Through regular draws, the Government of Canada selects candidates from the Express Entry pool based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, inviting them to apply for permanent residence.
Unusual Pause in Draws
This week passed without a single Express Entry draw. This absence raises eyebrows and prompts speculation about the underlying reasons. While there’s no one-size-fits-all explanation, several factors could contribute to this phenomenon.
Possible Reasons
Canadian immigration policies are subject to constant review and adjustment, influenced by various factors such as economic conditions, labor market demands, and government priorities. Recently the increased proof of money requirement is one reason we can conjecture about why there wasn’t any draw this week. IRCC updated the proof of funds requirement for Express Entry candidates on May 6 and has given candidates in the pool until May 27 to update their profiles accordingly to stay eligible. If this is the case we might not witness another round of express entry draw until May 28. On the other hand, some are contradicting this statement with the fact that each year the proof of funds is reevaluated and not a single draw has been missed when implementing such a change. Nevertheless, there might have been a technical hiccup in the proof of funds’ implementation; if so, we should anticipate an express entry draw the following week.
An increase in the number of applications the IRCC is processing from invitations to apply in earlier drawings could be another factor.
The biweekly rounds of invites may also be stopped for any general operational reason, and the IRCC is under no need to provide an explanation for any brief interruptions so we can not fully ever understand why there was a pause.
Since the 31st of March reported a nearly 6.5% rise in new applications for permanent residence, we can presume that the delay may have contributed to the backlog. Moreover IRCC sent out 9,275 more invitations to apply in four Express Entry drawings in April adding to the processing inventory.As a result, immigration authorities may prioritize clearing existing backlogs before initiating new draws to manage the influx of applications effectively.
Impact on CRS Cutoff Scores
The suspense surrounding the absence of this week’s Express Entry draw leaves many applicants on edge, wondering about the potential repercussions. One significant consequence likely to emerge is the impact on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff score in future invitation rounds. In the absence of a draw this week, it’s reasonable to expect an upward trend in CRS cutoff scores in future draws. Unless Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issues a significant number of invitations in the coming weeks, the CRS cutoff score is likely to surpass the 540+ mark in general draws.Furthermore, category-based draws may also witness an increase in cutoff scores compared to previous rounds with similar invitation criteria. The accumulation of candidates in the pool, coupled with the limited issuance of invitations, creates a competitive environment, driving CRS cutoff scores higher.
The skipped Express Entry draw introduces uncertainty into the immigration landscape, particularly regarding CRS cutoff scores. As applicants await further developments, it’s essential to stay informed and prepared for potential changes in invitation criteria and cutoff scores in upcoming draws. While the immediate impact of the skipped draw remains to be seen, vigilance and strategic planning can help candidates navigate the evolving dynamics of the Express Entry system effective
