After the coronavirus pandemic, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reduced its processing capacity and made various policy changes, including the temporary suspension of Express Entry programs.
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) has been Canada’s most beloved economic immigration program for about 50 years. To boost its labor market, Canada accepted tens of thousands of skilled workers from all over the world every year; however, as of December 2020, to reduce the backlog of applications, Canada has had to suspend its invitation periods. A few months after this event, they stopped the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program and haven’t held the lottery since September 2021. Factors such as the low unemployment rate in Canada, the several number of job opportunities, the aging population, and the low birth rate have made qualified labor recruitment a remarkable goal for the Canadian government. By 2024, the Canadian government plans to increase the annual Express Entry intake to 110,000 people.