Last Updated On 16 May 2024, 1:08 PM EDT (Toronto Time)
Why no Express Entry Draw? Examining the rationale for the absence of Express Entry draws is essential since the system is essential to Canada’s process of choosing skilled workers for permanent residency.
Express Entry is a crucial component of the online points-based system that Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses to evaluate applications from skilled immigrants based on a comprehensive ranking system (CRS) score.
Eligible candidates in the pool eagerly await the upcoming rounds of invitations that are usually held biweekly, but it is a discouraging event when IRCC skips a draw.
Because of the no Express Entry draw, stakeholders are trying to figure out the reasons for the absence of draw this week and how this may affect future immigration rounds of invitations.
In this article, we delve into the possible reasons for no Express Entry draw this week and what to expect next.
Express Entry Draw Frequency
The Canadian immigration department, the IRCC, typically conducts rounds of invitations every two weeks and invites the highest-ranked candidates to apply for permanent residency.
These draws can vary in type (general or category-based), frequency, and the number of invitations based on several factors.
We saw skipping of draws in 2023, but since the first round of invitations on January 10, 2024, IRCC is conducting these selections almost every 2 weeks.
This is what we can say has happened for the first time in 2024. While the IRCC has not confirmed the reason behind not conducting this draw, here are some possible reasons:
Possible Reasons For No Express Entry Draw This Week
One of the possible reasons that we can speculate on the absence of a draw this week is the new proof of funds requirement.
IRCC updated the proof of funds requirement for Express Entry candidates on May 6 and has given candidates in pool until May 27 to update their profiles accordingly to stay eligible.
So there is a possibility that we may not see another round of invitations until May 28 if this is the actual reason for the lack of an express entry draw this week.
But one can say that the proof of funds requirement is updated every year so this cannot be the reason for the absence of the draw this week.
Well that is correct! Proof of funds is updated annually and we haven’t seen any skipping of draws in previous years because of this reason.
However, there could be a possible technical glitch related to the implementation of this proof of funds since IRCC is typically known for glitches.
If a technical glitch is the only reason, then we may see the resumption of draws next week, around May 21st.
Another possible reason could be an increase in IRCC’s processing inventory of applications submitted after invitations to apply in previous draws.
A general operational reason can also be enough to halt the biweekly rounds of invitations and the IRCC is not obligated to specify any reason for temporary pauses.
As per most recent IRCC backlog update, there was an increase of nearly 6.5% in new permanent residence applications within service standards as of March 31, some of which are due to Express Entry.
In April, IRCC issued an additional 9,275 invitations to apply in four Express Entry draws, adding more to the processing inventory.
So this could also be the reason why IRCC wants to clear up the existing inventory rather than invite more and take the risk of increasing the backlog.
Express Entry Next Draw prediction
The reason could be any, but skipping the draw this week will definitely impact the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cutoff in the upcoming rounds of invitations.
Until or unless IRCC sends out a large number of invitations in the coming weeks, we can expect the CRS cutoff score to jump back to 540+ levels in general draws.
Similarly, cutoff score is also expected to increase for category based draws as well as compared to the previous similar rounds of invitations.
| Program | CRS Cutoff |
|---|---|
| Transport targeted draw | 435 |
| French focused draw | 420 |
| STEM Targeted Draw | 490 |
| Healthcare Targeted Draw | 440 |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 760 |
| No Program Specified | 543+ |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | Not expected |
| Federal Skilled Trades (FST) | Not enough latest data |
Disclaimer: The Express Entry draw prediction is just speculation based on the available information and historical data; there is no confirmation from the IRCC. This is what INC News expects, but it may not happen the same way.
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