Canada has conducted a first all-program Express Entry draw since the coronavirus crisis took hold in March, issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to 3,900 candidates to bring the total for 2020 over 50,000.

The July 8 draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 478, much higher than the most recent Canadian Experience Class draw (431), but comparable to the previous all-program draw on March 4 (471).

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada's move away from program-specific draws means Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades candidates were eligible for ITAs for the first time in four months.

IRCC had adopted a policy of targeting Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and CEC candidates since COVID-19 travel restrictions were put in place on March 18.

The logic was that candidates in the two categories are more likely to already be in Canada than those coming through other Express Entry-linked programs, meaning they will not be affected by travel restrictions.

Since March 18, Canada has conducted 16 program-specific draws, eight targeting PNP candidates and eight targeting CEC candidates. Those draws saw 27,712 ITAs issued, including 3,648 to PNP candidates and 23,572 to CEC candidates.

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The content of this article reflects the personal insight of Attorney Colin Singer and needs no disclaimer