+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

Ray of Hope #237 Draw

Ahmisht

Star Member
Aug 14, 2021
142
24
So what's going on? I don't understand and am lost for words. It is Jan 7th today and there's been no draws since Nov 23rd. The only thing IRCC has said so far is that they have been having technical problems, much of which they said have been resolved. So why the hold up? Has anyone tried writing on their twitter account or something? I would if I had any social media. It is very disheartening. I don't know what's going to happen and really frustrated.

I've looked at PNPs and I don't qualify for any of them since I don't have a job offer, and I likely won't as my PGWP expires end of June. So what options do I have? I can't explain how shit the situation is.
 

Postgraworkperm

Full Member
Jun 9, 2021
36
1
So what's going on? I don't understand and am lost for words. It is Jan 7th today and there's been no draws since Nov 23rd. The only thing IRCC has said so far is that they have been having technical problems, much of which they said have been resolved. So why the hold up? Has anyone tried writing on their twitter account or something? I would if I had any social media. It is very disheartening. I don't know what's going to happen and really frustrated.

I've looked at PNPs and I don't qualify for any of them since I don't have a job offer, and I likely won't as my PGWP expires end of June. So what options do I have? I can't explain how shit the situation is.

I think the draws will resume on the 11th :)
 

AndyUK

Hero Member
Oct 15, 2022
358
384
So what's going on? I don't understand and am lost for words. It is Jan 7th today and there's been no draws since Nov 23rd. The only thing IRCC has said so far is that they have been having technical problems, much of which they said have been resolved. So why the hold up? Has anyone tried writing on their twitter account or something? I would if I had any social media. It is very disheartening. I don't know what's going to happen and really frustrated.

I've looked at PNPs and I don't qualify for any of them since I don't have a job offer, and I likely won't as my PGWP expires end of June. So what options do I have? I can't explain how shit the situation is.
No point in writing on their social media. I tried this when FSW draws were suspended during covid. I got a reply quite quickly but it only said the same thing as on IRCC website - that the draws are not announced in advance. There's no official schedule IRCC has to adhere to - yes, the draws usually happen every 2 weeks and usually on Wednesdays but there were many cases in the past when they happen either more or less often.

The lack of communication is frustrating - I very well remember waiting for an FSW draw from May 2021 - the initial joy of passing TCF and getting from around 440 to over 500 points was quickly overshadowed by disappointments every other Wednesday. Even some immigration lawyers were expecting FSW draws to be resumed in September 2021 and it didn't happen for another 9 months.

Sadly not much you can do at this point, other than wait.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Economist9

Economist9

Star Member
Dec 3, 2021
89
13
Given the enormous unpredictability, and the fact that draws will soon be based on in-demand NOCs, what are the steps someone can take, who's about to finish their studies? Studies are unfortunately not in a priority sector.

Is there no use of having a PGWP or the CEC pathway from now onwards?
 

smash1984

Champion Member
Oct 7, 2018
2,077
849
From what I have been reading over the past months weeks, IRCC said that they would transition to a new system that prioritizes in-demand professions starting some time in 2023 (I think the minister mentioned early 2023 but I could be misremembering). Given how slow IRCC are in most things, I thought they would take another 3 years to implement the new system. Looks like they might be proving me wrong for once. Until January 8th they are still accepting feedback.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/transparency/consultations/2022-consultations-express-entry-selection.html

Maybe the wait is that they're implementing the new system? At this point it is still a hunch but things are definitely moving in that direction. Even if draws do resume under the old system, there might not be many such draws left.
 

Economist9

Star Member
Dec 3, 2021
89
13
From what I have been reading over the past months weeks, IRCC said that they would transition to a new system that prioritizes in-demand professions starting some time in 2023 (I think the minister mentioned early 2023 but I could be misremembering). Given how slow IRCC are in most things, I thought they would take another 3 years to implement the new system. Looks like they might be proving me wrong for once. Until January 8th they are still accepting feedback.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/transparency/consultations/2022-consultations-express-entry-selection.html

Maybe the wait is that they're implementing the new system? At this point it is still a hunch but things are definitely moving in that direction. Even if draws do resume under the old system, there might not be many such draws left.
I agree. Thanks for your reply.
 

AndyUK

Hero Member
Oct 15, 2022
358
384
Given the enormous unpredictability, and the fact that draws will soon be based on in-demand NOCs, what are the steps someone can take, who's about to finish their studies? Studies are unfortunately not in a priority sector.

Is there no use of having a PGWP or the CEC pathway from now onwards?
Nothing is certain but probably your best bet to increase your chances is to learn French. Few people on this forum (myself included) reached B2+ level in 10 months or even less. It's not easy but it's doable, even if you're working full time, have family, etc.
There seems to be an ongoing commitment to increase francophone population in Canada so even after the new system is implemented there is a pretty good chance that knowing French will increase your options.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Economist9

AndyUK

Hero Member
Oct 15, 2022
358
384
From what I have been reading over the past months weeks, IRCC said that they would transition to a new system that prioritizes in-demand professions starting some time in 2023 (I think the minister mentioned early 2023 but I could be misremembering). Given how slow IRCC are in most things, I thought they would take another 3 years to implement the new system. Looks like they might be proving me wrong for once. Until January 8th they are still accepting feedback.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/transparency/consultations/2022-consultations-express-entry-selection.html

Maybe the wait is that they're implementing the new system? At this point it is still a hunch but things are definitely moving in that direction. Even if draws do resume under the old system, there might not be many such draws left.
The last thing I heard (early December) is that targeted draws will start in spring this year.
I theory this could mean around 6 'old system' draws until then but it's just pure speculation.
 

smash1984

Champion Member
Oct 7, 2018
2,077
849
Nothing is certain but probably your best bet to increase your chances is to learn French. Few people on this forum (myself included) reached B2+ level in 10 months or even less. It's not easy but it's doable, even if you're working full time, have family, etc.
There seems to be an ongoing commitment to increase francophone population in Canada so even after the new system is implemented there is a pretty good chance that knowing French will increase your options.
This is great advice, and something I dish out to a lot of people but unfortunately not many takers.

But I can't emphasize how important French can be to boost your chances even under the old system. I checked for a friend and learning French to an intermediate level (B2) was giving 100 - 125 points over what one would get without it. Which meant a confirm invite even for someone sitting in the low 400s (most applicants end up near the mid 400s). With the new system they are putting more emphasis on Francophones so it can potentially get even more returns.

I had never done French in my life, but even I reached B1 level in 6 months. It's not easy as you say, but getting to B2 in 10 months is definitely doable. It requires consistency i.e. study every day (which is always hard).
 

newuser86

Hero Member
Jan 30, 2017
362
94
Canada
Category........
CEC
NOC Code......
70010
AOR Received.
30-03-2023
Med's Done....
09-02-2023
From what I have been reading over the past months weeks, IRCC said that they would transition to a new system that prioritizes in-demand professions starting some time in 2023 (I think the minister mentioned early 2023 but I could be misremembering). Given how slow IRCC are in most things, I thought they would take another 3 years to implement the new system. Looks like they might be proving me wrong for once. Until January 8th they are still accepting feedback.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/transparency/consultations/2022-consultations-express-entry-selection.html

Maybe the wait is that they're implementing the new system? At this point it is still a hunch but things are definitely moving in that direction. Even if draws do resume under the old system, there might not be many such draws left.
Hi,
Yes good point and might be just that. However, some persons have been slowly receiving feedback from their webforms regarding the pause and it is pointing to the IT glitches that they are encountering from the NOC 2021 implementation. It has caused issues not only for the candidates that lost points for their spouse Canadian work experience but also persons that didn't qualify for the CEC stream getting ITAs in the Nov 23, 2022 draw. There are many other instances of things going haywire also, I am gotten a response that they (IRCC) are currently having issues with dependent applicants not being to able to be added to the principal applicant applications and this is for our visitors visas from inside Canada. I am unsure whether this emanating from the NOC change implementation or something unrelated (which would be even more worrying). My family and I are waiting on 490 points but will be losing 5 points due to my birthday this week, it's depressing at the least as we are on our 6th year chasing PR and we have exhausted every option (except learning French). We are also waiting on 133 days for our visitors visa.
But yes hopefully things get better from IRCC's end.
 

AndyUK

Hero Member
Oct 15, 2022
358
384
This is great advice, and something I dish out to a lot of people but unfortunately not many takers.

But I can't emphasize how important French can be to boost your chances even under the old system. I checked for a friend and learning French to an intermediate level (B2) was giving 100 - 125 points over what one would get without it. Which meant a confirm invite even for someone sitting in the low 400s (most applicants end up near the mid 400s). With the new system they are putting more emphasis on Francophones so it can potentially get even more returns.

I had never done French in my life, but even I reached B1 level in 6 months. It's not easy as you say, but getting to B2 in 10 months is definitely doable. It requires consistency i.e. study every day (which is always hard).
Yep, 100% this.
Learning French was the only option for me to get an ITA. I had around 440 points and after passing TCF my score went up to 507. It's a lot of work but at the moment it's the best/quickest option to boost your score. I'm sure it's not going to last forever but it's worth taking advantage of it while it's possible.
 

newuser86

Hero Member
Jan 30, 2017
362
94
Canada
Category........
CEC
NOC Code......
70010
AOR Received.
30-03-2023
Med's Done....
09-02-2023
Yep, 100% this.
Learning French was the only option for me to get an ITA. I had around 440 points and after passing TCF my score went up to 507. It's a lot of work but at the moment it's the best/quickest option to boost your score. I'm sure it's not going to last forever but it's worth taking advantage of it while it's possible.
Thanks guys! this just might be the impetus needed for many.
 
  • Like
Reactions: smash1984