Express Entry Express Entry Draw
Express Entry Draw #229 | 2,250 Invited Through All Programs
The CRS cut-off in Canada’s 229th Express Entry draw has decreased to 525 as the number of invitations issued grows to 2,250.
Draw Number: 229
Date of Draw: August 17, 2022
Number of Invitations Issued: 2,250
Minimum CRS: 525
Program Specified: Non-specified
Tie-breaking rule: December 28, 2021
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is a system used by Canada to manage applications for permanent residency. The Express Entry system manages three main programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW);
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST); and
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
High number of candidates in the Express Entry pool
The Express Entry pool of candidates remains high due to a backlog of applications resulting from the pandemic. Consequently, it is likely that the CRS will likely remain high due to the competitive aspect of the current pool of applicants. However, the number of Invitations to Apply (ITA) is expected to continue to increase in coming rounds to better meet the increased labor demands. It is expected that the number of ITAs should increase to about the same level as before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It has also been announced that by the first quarter of 2023, Express Entry will start to invite candidates based on groupings which could give many candidates a strong advantage. Candidates will be grouped and ranked against others in their own grouping rather than the entire Express Entry pool. As a result, the CRS cut-off will likely be much lower than a general draw.
Specific groupings have yet to be announced but are expected to be based on labor needs. It is unclear which groups could be targeted but factors such as occupation, education, language ability, and others are likely to be considered.
Canada’s immigration minister is currently going through a thorough consultation process with multiple stakeholders. This process will help to determine the groupings that are selected in future targeted draws. The government is expected to start inviting Express Entry candidates by groupings once the consultation process is complete, likely by the first quarter of 2023.
While it is still unclear exactly how this could affect applicants, it will likely create opportunities for different types of candidates.
CRS Range Distribution of Candidates in the Express Entry Pool
Should I enter the Express Entry pool now?
Many with CRS scores below 500 may be hesitant to enter the Express Entry pool. However, there are advantages to entering the pool now despite the high CRS cut-off. The most notable is visibility to Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). PNPs give candidates a unique advantage when immigrating to Canada and have become a popular immigration pathway recently. PNP immigration is expected to increase over the next 3 years, with more newcomers immigrating through PNP than all other Federal High Skilled Worker Programs (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades).
With increased labour demands, provinces often use the Express Entry system to search for candidates to meet those demands. Candidates with in-demand work experience, education, or even those who demonstrate an advanced level of French, may be invited by a province for the chance to be nominated for permanent residency. Eligible candidates are often invited directly from the Express Entry pool, giving all applicants in the pool a chance at being invited.
What to expect in future draws
According to IRCC, all-program Express Entry draws will continue to be held on a bi-weekly basis. Following this schedule, the next anticipated all-program Express Entry draw will be August 31, 2022.
The CRS cut-off will likely continue to slowly decline as Canada gradually returns to issuing invitations at a pre-pandemic rate.
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