May 15, 2019 – Canada immigration authorities have conducted a first program-specific Express Entry draw of 2019, issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to 500 Federal Skilled Trades Program candidates.

The May 15 draw feature a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 332 points.

The previous Federal Skilled Trades Program draw took place on September 24, 2018, with 400 ITAs issued and a minimum CRS score of 284.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted two program-specific draws per year in 2017 and 2018.

By targeting a specific program, IRCC gives the opportunity of receiving an ITA to candidates with lower CRS scores.

Canada has now issued 31,750 ITAs in 2019, against a high-skilled immigration target of 81,400.

IRCC broke the record for annual Express Entry ITAs in 2018 with 89,800.

The draw saw the tie-breaking rule implemented on August 29, 2018 at 4.32am EST. If more than one candidate had the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

This was the 10th round of invitations under Entry in 2019 and 117th overall.

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