In an all-program draw, the Express Entry cut-off score fell below 470 for the first time this year.
A Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 469 was the requisite for candidates to be invited to the invitation round on 25 November. A total of 5,000 invites have been issued to Express Entry candidates, leading this draw to the highest amount of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued in a single draw.
Canada’s Express Entry system handles the candidate profiles of the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) for three of Canada’s major economic-class immigration programs.
A score focused on the CRS is provided to candidates in such programs, as well as certain Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Points are awarded in English or French based on a candidate’s human capital factors, such as age, schooling, work experience, and language proficiency. An Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency in an Express Entry invitation round is granted to the top scoring candidates.
The latest draw takes to 97,350 the total amount of ITAs published in 2020. This year is shaping up to be a new Express Entry record-breaking year as the amount of ITAs issued to date is the maximum it has ever been. A record-breaking 5,000 ITAs were seen at the previous Express Entry draw and brought the amount of invitations issued this year beyond the target.
The high number of ITAs is in line with the commitment of Canada to accept over 400,000 new immigrants in 2021, most of whom arrive via the Express Entry system.
The tie-breaking rule is implemented by the IRCC in the event of a tie between candidates. So for this draw, applicants who had a CRS score of 469 or more had to apply their Express Entry profile to obtain an invitation before October 15, 2020, at 08:50:10 UTC.
The CRS Score requirement for all program drawings has usually hovered above 470 this year. The Federal Skilled Trades Program-only draws in the 440s on August 6 invited trade workers with a CRS of 415, and previous Canadian Experience Class-only draws. PNP-only drawings have higher requirements and an extra 600 points are subsequently awarded to Express Entry candidates who obtain a provincial nomination. For Express Entry candidates who have a lower CRS score, PNPs provide alternate paths to Canadian permanent residency.
