Express Entry FSW & CEC Draws to Resume in July 2022

Canada is geared to re-open Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry draws by early July 2022.

Immigration has always been an essential contributor to Canada’s economy; the country ensures that employers and businesses across Canada have access to as many foreign workers as they need to grow and flourish. 

Since the nation is gradually recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, Canadian employers are eagerly looking for skilled workers to fill vacant positions in different sectors across Canada.

Therefore, Canada’s immigration minister Sean Fraser clearly stated that due to the progress made by IRCC in reducing the application backlog, Canada will now resume all-program Express Entry draws for immigration applicants hailing from different parts of the world.

Highlights of the announcement by Canada's Immigration Minister

Minister Fraser addressed the following:

• Invitation rounds for FSW, CEC, and FST candidates to resume in early July
• IRCC will process new Express Entry applications as per the standard service, i.e., for six months.
• Former international students whose post-graduate work permit (PGWP) is expiring between January and December 2022 can now qualify to renew their work permits for up to 18 months.
• Applicants no longer need to remain in Canada while their applications are under processing.
• Applicants who apply for Canada's open work permit while waiting for IRCC's decision on their PR applications may apply for an open work permit until the end of 2024.
• Immediate family members living outside of Canada and included in the primary applicant's PR application may qualify to apply for Canada's open work permit.

Overview of this important announcement by IRCC

As mentioned above, Sean Fraser also announced a list of measures to address the labour shortage in Canada. The announcement was majorly centred around Canada's economic need for immigration to help recover from the pandemic.

Due to the strong demand for skilled workers in Canada, the Canadian government is actively implementing various measures to help employers attract and retain qualified foreign workers.

Due to a temporary pause in Federal High Skilled Worker draws for CEC, FSW, and FST programs in September 2021, IRCC has successfully cut down processing inventory to more than half. Also, the inventory is further expected to be reduced by the end of July 2022. This will allow IRCC to process most PR applications within its service standard, i.e., 6-months.

If you are also planning to immigrate to Canada, this is the right time. You may take a free profile assessment online to discover your eligibility to apply for a Canadian PR visa in 2022.

Alternatively, to get further information or apply for the relevant visa, you may call a Canadian immigration expert at Visas Avenue on Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777.

- Rajneesh Kumar