Beginning in December 2020, the IRCC suspended all Express Entry lotteries for a period of more than 18 months. Only those individuals were required to apply throughout this time who qualified for permanent resident status through the CEC or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). But in September 2021, CEC draws were also suspended.

The global COVID-19 pandemic was already in full flow when the selections were paused due to an excessive quantity of permanent residency requests. Canada’s border was closed during this period, and immigration policies were constantly altered.

Since all-program draws commenced on July 6, this draw has had the biggest gain in ITAs, up by 500. Up to today’s draw, every draw saw an increase of precisely 250 candidates earning ITAs. For instance, 1,500 candidates were called to the first July draw, 1,750 to the second, and so on. The lowest CRS score has likewise been decreased, losing between eight and nine points with each draw. The starting CRS score cutoff was 557.