Canada issues another 7,000 in a surprise Express Entry draw!

Nationwide Visas
[Published 24 Mar, 2023 | 04:20 AM]
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On March 23, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its eighth Express Entry draw of 2023. 

This latest Express Entry draw is surprising because it marks the second-consecutive week that IRCC has invited Express Entry candidates. Usually, Express Entry draws are held on a bi-weekly basis. In addition to this invitation round being tied for the largest all-program draw ever, the 7,000 ITAs marks the second-largest Express Entry draw size of all time, behind the record-setting CEC-only draw that took place in February 2021.

Who was invited?

Express Entry Draw #244

• Number of invitations issued: 7,000
• Rank required to be invited to apply: 7,000 or above
• Type of draw: No program specified
• Date and time of round: March 23, 2023, 12:27:59 UTC
• CRS score of lowest-ranking candidates invited: 484
• Tie-breaking rule: May 19, 2022, 06:48:41 UTC

This latest Express Entry draw ties the largest-ever all-program draw conducted on March 15, which also issued 7,000 ITAs to candidates in the pool. Candidates in the previous draw required a minimum CRS score of 490 to be invited.

If you’ve been invited

If the IRCC has invited you to apply for Canada PR, you’ll receive a message in your account notifying you:

• which program you've been invited to apply for
• what to do next

You must show proof of the information provided in your Express Entry profile. If the IRCC finds you have submitted false information or left out important details, they could:

• refuse your application
• find you inadmissible
• ban you for 5 years from applying for any type of Canadian visa

Next, you can check your eligibility for the program you’ve been invited to apply under – and make sure you’re still eligible. By thoroughly understanding the program requirements and prerequisites – you will be more prepared to apply.

Express Entry draws in 2023

Since the beginning of 2023, Express Entry draws are primarily focused on candidates under the Provincial Nomination Program (PNP). IRCC has conducted four PNP-only Express Entry draws so far this year – with the most recent one being held on March 1.

However, it appears that IRCC is now back to its regular procedure of issuing ITAs to all candidates in the Express Entry pool.