Canada’s March 20th Express Entry Draw Invites 3,350 Candidates to Apply for Permanent Residency, Targets 81,400 for 2019

In a draw held on Wednesday, March 20th for the Express Entry program, the government of Canada has invited 3,350 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). This follows a similar draw held two weeks ago (March 6th) in which 3,350 ITAs were issued. Individuals who enter the drawing and are selected for ITA get a chance to apply for Canadian permanent residency.

The government sets a minimum score needed to qualify for each draw – Comprehensive Ranking system (CRS) score, which is based on such factors as age, education, skilled work experience, family ties in Canada, and fluency in either English or French.  The minimum score for the March 20th draw was 452, a reduction of 2 points over the minimum score for the March 6th draw.

So far in 2019 Canada has issued 14,500 ITAs, against a target of 81,400. In 2018, the government issued a record 89,800 ITAs through the Express Entry program.

Candidates who are issued ITAs are given 60 days to submit a complete application permanent residency as the first step towards moving to or remaining in Canada as a permanent resident.

Candidates who apply for Express Entry remain the the selection pool for 12 months if they are not immediately invited to apply. The government says while in the selection pool, the candidate can continue to improve his or her score by among other things gaining more relevant work experience, improving education level, improving language score, or getting a job offer in Canada.

You can check if you meet the minimum score and also apply for Express Entry here.