Federal Skilled Workers are back to work now

The newest Express Entry draw has provided sufficient reasons for skilled workers to celebrate. The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) organized its first all-program Express Entry draw ever since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

What caused the changes?

Canada had to impose travel restrictions in Mid-March in order to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Before that, the federal government had been taking eligible candidates into consideration during the-weekly Express Entry draws. Eligible workers belonging to the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) had the opportunity of securing an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence if their CRS score fulfilled IRCC’s cut-off requirement.

When Canada enforced coronavirus travel restrictions, IRCC started holding PNP and CEC-specific draws specifically, which led FSWP and FSTP candidates to be disappointed. The FSWP made up 45 percent of all ITAs distributed by IRCC in 2019. The CEC accounted for 36 percent, while the PNP represented 18 percent. FSTP candidates made up just 1 percent of the total ITAs issued in 2019.

Resuming FSWP draws:

FSWP candidates are crucial for the Canadian economy, and they integrate into the economy with very little hassle. So IRCC decided to resume draws for FSWP candidates last week since the coronavirus situation is under control for the time being.

IRCC had justified the program-specific draws by saying that CEC and PNP candidates would be more likely to already be in Canada at the time of receiving an invitation. As a result, they would not have to face coronavirus-related travel problems when they submit their permanent residence application and the subsequent landing process. FSWP candidates have suffered for a while now, so it is great that regular draws are slowly being reinstated.