Canada's Express Entry Sees Surge in May ITAs, Breaking Draw Patterns
May witnessed a significant shift in Canada's Express Entry system, with a substantial increase in Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued compared to the previous month. A total of 2,511 ITAs were issued, more than double the number in April. The increase in activity was driven by four draws held in May, breaking the pattern of alternating French proficiency and Provincial Nominee draws seen in March and April. Notably, May also saw the first-ever Education category based selection draw and the first Healthcare and social services category based selection draw of 2025. Despite the total number of ITAs issued in May being lower than the numbers seen in January, February, and March, the number of ITAs issued in May was more than double the number issued in April, indicating a return to more frequent draws. As of May 13, there are 250,082 candidate profiles in the Express Entry pool, with an increase of 3,409 compared to April 27. The current distribution of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores shows that 99.99% of candidates have a score of 600 or below, with only 0.01% having a score between 601 and 1200. May's Express Entry draws indicate a return to more frequent and diverse selection draws, with a significant increase in ITAs issued. While there are no specific draws recorded or scheduled for May 2026, the system's activity in May suggests a positive trend for candidates aiming to apply for permanent residence.
