The month of March 2023 has been a remarkable month for Canadian immigration. The Express Entry draws conducted by the Canadian government have broken the record for the number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued in a single all-program draw.
The Express Entry system is Canada’s flagship program for managing skilled worker applications for permanent residency. It uses a points-based system to rank eligible candidates based on their age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and other factors. Candidates who score high enough are then issued an ITA to apply for permanent residency.
Historic Milestones
In March, IRCC issued 21,667 Invitations to Apply (ITA) across four rounds of draws throughout the month. It is the highest mark since February 2022 and the second-highest number of ITAs in a month since the program first started in 2015.
March was also significant because the IRCC issued a record 7,000 ITAs in a single draw, breaking the previous record of 5,500 previously set in January. Interestingly, the 7,000 mark was reached twice more after that, making it three consecutive weeks of 7,000 ITAs sent in March.
The Future of Express Entry
Canada is aiming for over 82,000 Express Entry invitations in 2023. They plan to increase that figure year over year for the next 3 years. March’s record number of invitations is also a step in that direction.
The recent surge in ITAs is good news for candidates who are looking to immigrate to Canada. It also demonstrates the government’s commitment to economic immigration to drive economic growth and address labour market shortages.
The high number of ITAs issued also reflects the government’s efforts to streamline the immigration process and reduce processing times for applications. This has been achieved through a combination of increased staffing levels, enhanced technology, and process improvements.
This year, Canada opened a new immigration processing center in Manila, Philippines. This new center will boost the processing times of the high influx of applications within the Indo-Pacific regions. It will also aid in the processing within Canada’s centralized network and across the world. With increasing figures for ITAs in the next few years, this center will play a significant role in supporting and improving the overall immigration service.
Take Advantage of this Opportunity with mana immigration
The high number of ITAs issued reflects Canada’s strong demand for skilled workers. The number showcases the government’s commitment to streamlining the immigration process. Now is a good time to work on your application and take advantage of this opportunity. With offices around the world, let our experts help you maximize your score for the next Express Entry draw. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have.