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The IRCC has recently conducted the Express Entry Draw, the first Express Entry draw of April. There are a total of 3,500 invitations to apply (ITAs) given to candidates in the all-program draw. The least required Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score is set at 486 points. Those who secure 486 points or above will be selected in the draw.

The Key Highlights of the Draw –

• ITA – 3500
• CRS – 486

The latest all program express entry draw invited applicants in all three streams of express entry - Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

This draw is special as after invited 7000 applicants in the last three consecutive draws. In this one, the IRCC invited just half the previous number. The CRS score cut-off has been almost the same as the previous draw. In March 29 draw, the CRS cut-off was 481 points, and this time, it is only a 5-point jump with the CRS score of 486 points. Before this, on March 15, the CRS score was set at 490 points. The ITAs issued in 2023 are already more than the ITAs issued in the whole of 2022.

The most ambitious Canada immigration level plans were introduced this time with the rise in immigration targets in every stream and opportunities for work in every sector. This time  82,880 applicants have obtained permanent resident status through Express Entry, and it will rise to 114,000 a year by 2025.

How is this an unprecedented month for the Express Entry Program?

March has been the most unprecedented month in express entry history. In the last four draws, the IRCC has issued over 21667 ITAs.   This is a very big number for the start of the year as compared to the data available since 2015. Prior to this, most applicants were invited in Feb 2021 when record-breaking invites were sent to CEC applicants. It was 27,332 applicants in a single draw.

Ideally, the express entry draws are conducted every two weeks, but now the gaps are more erratic, which has made the prediction for the next draw and score a little difficult.

Are the PGWP extensions available from April 6 ?

A large number of draws is advantageous for the applicants, and a lot of people are talking about how the Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs)   will expire shortly. To help the PGWP holders, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser has announced that PGWP holders can apply for an 18-month open work permit extension.   PGWP is a one-time open work permit deal for international students and is allotted to the applicant who graduates from a post-secondary institution in Canada. At the expiry of the PGWP, the applicant will receive an ITA, and they will not be eligible to apply for permanent residency.  It is extension of their Work permit.

Between Nov 2022 and Feb 2023, there were very few ITAs given to CEC applicants because of the six unplanned pauses in the draw. After which, in the next four program-specific draws, the CEC applicants were not considered.

What is Express Entry Program?

The express entry program is an immigration channel that was established in 2015 to help skilled workers relocate. The applicants were selected on point-based work in different categories such as age, language, education, and work experience. The applicants were ranked as per the comprehensive ranking system ( CRS) score requirement and those who had high scores were given ITAs. After getting the ITAs, the applicants should submit the documents in the next 60 days. The documents are reviewed and permanent residency is offered to the applicant.