The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently conducted its latest Express Entry draw, inviting a total of 3,725 candidates to apply for immigration. This draw was an all-program draw, meaning candidates from various programs were eligible to receive invitations to apply (ITAs).
To be considered for an ITA in this draw, candidates needed to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 500. The CRS is a points-based system that evaluates candidates based on factors such as work experience, language ability, education, age, and occupation.
This particular draw follows three consecutive draws that took place in the week of September 25. The first draw, held on September 26, invited 3,000 candidates with a minimum CRS of 504 in an all-program draw. The second draw, which occurred on September 27, invited 500 candidates who demonstrated French-speaking proficiency, requiring a minimum CRS of 472. The final draw of that week, on September 28, invited 600 candidates in the agriculture and agri-food occupations category, with a minimum CRS of 354. It is worth noting that this last draw marked the inclusion of candidates from each of the six new categories eligible under category-based selection.
Summary of Express Entry Draw Results Since June 2023
Here is a summary of the Express Entry draw results since June 2023:
- October 10: All-program draw – 3,725 ITAs, minimum CRS 500
- September 28: Agriculture and agri-food occupations – 600 ITAs, minimum CRS 354
- September 27: French language proficiency – 500 ITAs, minimum CRS 472
- September 26: All-program draw – 3,000 ITAs, minimum CRS 504
- September 20: Transport occupations – 1,000 ITAs, minimum CRS 435
- September 19: All-program draw – 3,200 ITAs, minimum CRS 531
- August 15: All-program draw – 4,300 ITAs, minimum CRS 496
- August 3: Trade occupations – 1,500 ITAs, minimum CRS 388
- August 2: French language proficiency – 800 ITAs, minimum CRS 435
- August 1: All-program draw – 2,000 ITAs, minimum CRS 517
- July 12: French language proficiency – 3,800 ITAs, minimum CRS 375
- July 11: All-program draw – 800 ITAs, minimum CRS 505
- July 7: French language proficiency – 2,300 ITAs, minimum CRS 439
- July 6: Healthcare occupations – 1500 ITAs, minimum CRS 463
- July 5: STEM occupations – 500 ITAs, minimum CRS 486
- July 4: All-program draw – 700 ITAs, minimum CRS 511
- June 28: Healthcare occupations – 500 ITAs, minimum CRS 476
- June 27: All-program draw – 4,300 ITAs, minimum CRS 486
- June 8: All-program draw – 4,800 ITAs, minimum CRS 486
IRCC Releases Year-End Express Entry Report for 2022
In September 2022, the IRCC released its annual report on Express Entry. The report provided valuable insights into the program’s performance throughout the year. In total, there were 24 Express Entry draws in 2022, issuing a total of 46,539 ITAs. However, this number represents a significant decrease of 59% compared to the previous year, mainly due to a pause in Express Entry draws for Federal High Skilled programs between September 2021 and July 2022.
Among the ITAs issued in 2022, most were allocated to candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (19,258) and the Canadian Experience Class (18,895). The remaining 8,386 ITAs were issued to candidates under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Notably, no Express Entry candidates were invited through the Federal Skilled Trades Program in 2022.
The most common occupations that received an ITA included software engineers and designers, information systems specialists and computer systems developers and programmers. Food service supervisors and cooks also represented a significant number of ITAs issued. Furthermore, over 30,000 ITAs were given to residents of Canada, while the remaining invitations were extended to candidates from India (3,787) and Nigeria (1,730).
What is Category-Based Selection?
Category-based selection refers to changes made by the Government of Canada to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in June 2022. These changes empower the immigration minister to select immigrants based on specific attributes that align with Canada’s economic priorities. These attributes can include work experience or knowledge of the French language.
In May 2023, the IRCC announced six new Express Entry categories in line with this new authority. The categories are as follows: Healthcare, STEM professions, Trades, Transport, Agriculture and Agri-food, and Strong French abilities. These categories were determined after extensive consultations with IRCC partners, stakeholders, and provincial governments.
It is worth noting that these new categories mirror existing streams under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which allows provincial governments to select economic immigration candidates who are likely to integrate successfully into their respective provincial economies. In the PNP, candidates are chosen based on specific attributes such as language ability or work experience in an in-demand profession. While the PNP nominates candidates at the provincial level, the new category-based selection draws invite candidates to apply directly to the IRCC for permanent residence.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an application management system that oversees the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. To qualify for Express Entry, candidates must meet the minimum CRS score based on a variety of human capital attributes, including work experience, language ability, occupation, age, and education. Each attribute is assigned a specific point value, and those with the highest scores are more likely to receive an ITA in an Express Entry draw.
Once a candidate determines their eligibility for an Express Entry-managed program, they need to upload their profile onto the IRCC website and await an ITA. Candidates who receive an ITA through Express Entry can then apply for permanent residency. The IRCC aims to process 80% of all Express Entry applications within six months, ensuring efficient and timely processing for eligible candidates.
In conclusion, the latest all-program Express Entry draw by the IRCC invited 3,725 candidates to apply for immigration, with a minimum CRS score requirement of 500. These draws provide opportunities for skilled individuals from various programs to pursue permanent residency in Canada. The inclusion of category-based selection has further expanded the avenues for immigration, aligning with Canada’s economic priorities and allowing candidates to showcase their specific attributes in order to secure an ITA. The Express Entry system continues to play a crucial role in facilitating skilled migration to Canada and contributing to the country’s diverse and thriving society.
