The number of Express Entry candidates receiving Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for immigration to Canada has increased yet again, and for the second time in eight days. On October 19, a total of 1,804 candidates were invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence. Candidates with 475 or more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points received an ITA, down from 484 in the October 12 draw, when a total of 1,518 ITAs were issued to candidates in the pool.

Together, the latest Express Entry draws represent the largest upswing in the number of candidates being invited to apply since the system was first introduced in January, 2015. Just two months ago, draw sizes were in the range of 750 ITAs per draw. Now, candidates and invited persons alike are looking forward to a system has recently gone into overdrive, with larger draws, lower CRS requirements, and a range of active Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) categories attracting candidates in the pool.

Furthermore, the department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is expected to issue more ITAs as the end of 2016 approaches, in order to reach annual target intake levels. An IRCC representative, speaking at an event held in Edmonton in May of this year, revealed that this may be the case, and it is now becoming apparent that those predictions are becoming reality.