2021 is the Best Time to Start Your Express Entry Process

2021 Is the Best Time to Start Your Express Entry Process

3 minute read

"Canada aims to invite up to 401,100 new immigrants under its Canadian Immigration Levels Plan for 2021-23. Up to 60% of this target will be achieved through economic immigration programs, with one-quarter to arrive through the Express Entry system. "

Written by My Visa Source Team
Published on: May 23, 2021

Canada aims to invite up to 401,100 new immigrants under its Canadian Immigration Levels Plan for 2021-23. Up to 60% of this target will be achieved through economic immigration programs, with one-quarter to arrive through the Express Entry system.

The government body of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is taking strong measures to achieve this target. This explains the largest ever Express Entry draw in Canada’s history held on February 13, 2021. 27,332 applicants in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) were invited through the Express Entry system.

The IRCC is also conducting immigration draws for applicants who received provincial nominations through the Express Entry linked provincial nominee streams. The number of ITAs issued this year after the February 13th draw is almost triple compared to the number last year.

The Express Entry draws are quite unpredictable. However, the precedent has been set to invite around 108,500 new immigrants through Express Entry-managed economic programs in 2021. Each Express Entry draw occurs bi-weekly.

The Canadian Immigration Minister stated that emphasis is being placed on encouraging temporary residents to transition to permanent residency to achieve immigration targets. Therefore, if you are currently temporarily staying in Canada, this may be a great time for you to apply for permanent residency through the Express Entry system.

You will be required to create an active Express Entry profile. You can make changes and update your profile while waiting for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

What About Foreign Nationals Living Abroad?

According to a media release, the IRCC plans to invite skilled workers living overseas once travel restrictions are lifted. Travel restrictions were put in place in mid-March 2020 to control the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It was decreed that the risks of welcoming immigrants outweigh the benefits of allowing them to enter. The travel restrictions will be lifted once it is safe to travel without the risk of spreading the Covid-19 virus.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau estimates that everyone in Canada will be vaccinated by September 2021, making it safe to lift travel restrictions. However, this is an optimistic point of view.

Take a look at our regularly updated Latest Express Entry Draw Updates and our Canada PNP Draw Updates.

What Is the Best Time to Apply for Express Entry?

To decide the best time to apply for Express Entry, take into consideration that the process itself will take 6 months from when you submit your application until when your application is approved.

To apply, you must be eligible for one of the following federal economic immigration programs:

The FSWP is the most common and easiest pathway for foreign skilled workers to apply for permanent residence. If you receive an ITA, then you have to apply for permanent residence within 90 days.

Once your application for permanent residence is approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). A COPR is valid until your medical exam or passport expires. However, this stage is affected by the current travel restrictions put in place because of the pandemic.

If your COPR was approved after March 18, 2020, then you are not allowed to travel to Canada unless you are exempt from the travel restrictions. You may be allowed to travel if you are coming to Canada from the US. However, you can not travel to Canada through the US if you are coming from another country.

You need to consider the above-mentioned things before applying for Express Entry while living abroad. Canada has to maintain its immigration level to achieve its staggering target. The FSWP will be important to meet the immigration targets once borders reopen.