Introduction: Canada’s Express Entry system continues to attract attention as Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts yet another round of invitations. The latest draw, held on July 12, saw 3,800 candidates invited in a French language category-based draw, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 375. This blog post provides an overview of recent Express Entry draws and highlights the significance of the category-based selection introduced by IRCC.
Express Entry Draws Overview:
- July 11: On July 11, IRCC invited 800 candidates in an all-program draw. The minimum CRS score required was 505, which was higher compared to the previous week’s category-based selection but lower than the July 4 draw’s score of 511.
- July 4-7: From July 4 to July 7, IRCC held draws on four consecutive days. The first draw on July 4 was an unexpected all-program draw, inviting 700 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 511, the highest requirement for an all-program draw in 2023.
- July 5: The second draw of the week targeted candidates with work experience in select science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) occupations. IRCC invited 500 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 486. This draw was announced a week in advance.
- July 6: IRCC conducted a category-based selection draw for healthcare professionals, inviting 1,500 candidates with a cut-off CRS score of 463.
- July 7: The fourth draw of the week targeted candidates with strong French-speaking abilities. ITAs (Invitations to Apply) were issued to 2,300 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 439.
June 27-28:
- June 27: IRCC invited 4,300 candidates in an all-program draw, with a minimum CRS score of 486.
- June 28: IRCC introduced the first-ever ITAs for category-based selection. A total of 500 candidates with work experience in healthcare occupations and a minimum CRS score of 476 were invited to apply for permanent residence.
Category-Based Selection: The implementation of category-based selection is a significant development in Canada’s immigration system. This approach allows the immigration minister to invite candidates based on specific attributes, such as language proficiency or work experience, rather than solely relying on CRS scores. The categories were determined in collaboration with stakeholders, and provincial and territorial governments, and aimed to address crucial gaps in Canada’s labor force. The categories include healthcare, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions, trades, transportation, agriculture and agri-food, and strong French-language proficiency. Candidates selected under these categories must still meet eligibility criteria for the Express Entry program and will be ranked against each other based on their CRS scores.
Future Outlook: As per the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025, IRCC plans to admit a significant number of new permanent residents through Express Entry. The target is to admit 82,880 newcomers by the end of 2023, with the numbers increasing to 109,020 in 2024 and 114,000 by 2025. The introduction of category-based selection will play a crucial role in ensuring that newcomers to Canada contribute to the economy and promote the French language.
Conclusion: Canada’s Express Entry system continues to evolve, with IRCC conducting regular draws and introducing category-based selection to address specific labor market needs. The recent draws demonstrate the government’s commitment to attracting skilled professionals and ensuring a streamlined immigration process. Candidates interested in immigrating to Canada through Express Entry should closely monitor these developments and seek guidance from reputable immigration consultants to enhance their chances of success.
Originally posted 2023-07-12 19:50:41.