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September 16th, 2020
The results for the September 16 all-program draw are below.
This is an all-program draw, meaning that candidates in the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Trades (FST) programs, including Provincial Nominees, were considered. In the September 16 Express Entry draw for immigration to Canada, 4,200 candidates will be issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA). The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cut-off threshold for this draw was 472 points. The tie-breaking rule for this draw was applied to profiles at 472 points submitted after March 09, 2020 at 13:03:40 UTC.
This all-program draw represents the first back-to-back all-program draws since COVID-19 closed Canada’s borders. It may suggest that Express Entry is moving back to pre-COVID patterns, but only time will tell for sure.
Express Entry: Is this good news for FSW candidates?
The September 16 Express Entry draw marks an important milestone in Canadian immigration under COVID-19. This draw is the first back-to-back all-program draw since the COVID-19 pandemic caused Canada to close its borders to the majority of foreign nationals. Although we cannot say whether this is a one-time outlier or a return to more regular all-program draws, it is the closest to pre-COVID patterns we’ve seen since March.
This could potentially be good news for candidates in the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program, who have been excluded from the majority of draws since the pandemic hit. If this draw turns out to be the first of many, more FSW candidates will have the opportunity to be selected from the Express Entry pool. However, IRCC is notoriously unpredictable, especially in the era of COVID-19, so only time will tell what is on the horizon for Express Entry.
How will COVID-19 and the Canadian border closure impact Express Entry?
COVID-19 has become a global pandemic and the Government of Canada is enacting exceptional measures to mitigate the spread of coronavirus in Canada. To be kept up to date on the latest news about COVID-19 and how it is impacting Canadian immigration, please follow our regularly updated COVID-19 newsfeed.
Here are some of the questions we’ve received about how COVID-19 will impact Express Entry:
Is Canada still issuing Express Entry invitations despite COVID-19?
Canada is still issuing Express Entry invitations. Since March, most Express Entry draws were restricted to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or those with provincial nominations. However, in July, Express Entry resumed all-program draws.
Is Canada still processing Express Entry applications during COVID-19?
Yes. Canada is still processing immigration applications for Express Entry, but processing delays should be expected.
I have an ITA, but I can’t get the documents I need because everything is shut down due to COVID-19. What do I do?
Start by consulting IRCC’s special instructions for applications being submitted during the COVID-19 pandemic. IRCC has stated that they will not refuse an incomplete application missing documents due to COVID-19.
If your Express Entry PR application is due, you may submit your application with missing documents, but ensure that you include a letter of explanation explaining the missing documentation and the reasoning for this. IRCC will give you 90 days to complete missing steps in your application.
Please note that biometrics letters will still state that biometrics are due in either 30 or 90 days, but IRCC will not close an application if an applicant cannot obtain biometrics due to COVID-19 closures. There are also special biometrics exemptions in place impacting some PR applicants.
I have been approved through Express Entry and I have my COPR, but I am outside Canada. Can I travel to Canada to activate my status?
The answer to this question depends on when your COPR was issued and where you are currently residing. According to official guidelines published by IRCC, individuals who meet one of following conditions may still enter Canada:
- COPR-holders with a valid COPR who are residing in any country other than the United States and were approved for their COPR before 12pm EDT on March 18, 2020, and who are travelling to Canada to settle permanently;
- COPR-holders with a valid COPR who are residing in the United States and were approved on any date (even after March 18, 2020) and who are travelling to Canada to settle permanently.
If your COPR/travel document is going to expire and you cannot or choose not travel to Canada due to COVID-19, IRCC states, “If we already approved your permanent resident application, but you can’t travel to Canada before your documents expire, or your documents have already expired, don’t contact us until you’re ready to travel to Canada.” Once you are ready to travel, IRCC asks you to raise a Webform indicating you’re ready and they will inform you of the next steps.
How will COVID-19 impact the CRS score cut-off?
We do not know the answer to this question. In the midst of the public health crisis, our goal is to provide our community with objective and factual information. We are refraining from speculating about possible impacts of the coronavirus on the CRS score cut-off. There are simply too many variables at play and the situation is evolving at too rapid a pace.
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