In the most recent Express Entry draw, applicants have received invitations from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
In an all-program draw, the department sent out 4,750 invitations to apply (ITAs).
To be considered, candidates had to receive a minimum of 561 points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
It hasn’t been drawn since October 26. The IRCC tweeted on November 14 that some candidates were having trouble with the Express Entry Profile Builder and couldn’t finish their application.
The department followed up with a tweet on November 16 stating that the problem has been fixed. It’s unclear why there was such a long pause between draws.
In the most recent draw, which took place on October 26 and involved a category-based selection process for healthcare jobs, 3,600 applicants were given ITAs. A CRS score of 431 was the minimum needed of candidates.
The same week, there were two more drawings. In a category-based selection draw held on October 25, the IRCC invited 300 applicants who could speak French. For consideration, a minimum CRS score of 486 was required.
On October 24, the last draw was held. In a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-only draw, 1,548 individuals received invitations from the IRCC. Applicants had to have a minimum score of 776. The minimal CRS for this kind of draw is greater since Express Entry applicants who are nominated through the PNP automatically earn an extra 600 CRS points.
Express Entry draw summary since June 2023
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 26 | Healthcare occupations | 3,600 | 431 |
| Oct 25 | French language proficiency | 300 | 486 |
| Oct 24 | PNP-only | 1,548 | 776 |
| Oct 10 | All-program | 3,725 | 500 |
| Sept 28 | Agriculture and agri-food occupations | 600 | 354 |
| Sept 27 | French language proficiency | 500 | 472 |
| Sept 26 | All-program | 3,000 | 504 |
| Sept 20 | Transport occupations | 1,000 | 435 |
| Sept 19 | All-program | 3,200 | 531 |
| Aug 15 | All-program | 4,300 | 496 |
| Aug 3 | Trade occupations | 1,500 | 388 |
| Aug 2 | French language proficiency | 800 | 435 |
| Aug 1 | All-program | 2,000 | 517 |
| July 12 | French language proficiency | 3,800 | 375 |
| July 11 | All-program | 800 | 505 |
| July 7 | French language proficiency | 2,300 | 439 |
| July 6 | Healthcare occupations | 1500 | 463 |
| July 5 | STEM occupations | 500 | 486 |
| July 4 | All-program | 700 | 511 |
| June 28 | Healthcare occupations | 500 | 476 |
| June 27 | All-program | 4,300 | 486 |
| June 8 | All-program | 4,800 | 486 |
What is selection based on categories?
The IRCC declared in May of this year that it will start extending invitations for Express Entry rounds with a category-based selection process.
These draws specifically target individuals for Express Entry who satisfy requirements for a particular attribute, such as proficiency in French or work experience in one of the following five occupations:
Healthcare, STEM fields, commerce, transportation, and agri-food
There is a scarcity of competent workers in all of these professions. The economy of Canada as well as other important industries like the healthcare system and the supply chain are being impacted by the shortages.
Since up to nine million Canadians are anticipated to retire by 2030, increasing the number of qualified workers admitted is crucial to eradicating these shortages, according to Immigration Minister Marc Miller of Canada. By the end of 2025, 114,000 Federal High Skilled (Express Entry) immigrants would have been admitted to Canada annually, according to the current Immigration Levels Plan for 2023–2025. By November 1st, at the latest, a revised Levels Plan is anticipated.
Despite these lofty goals, the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration recently reported that fewer Express Entry applications have been made since Minister Miller assumed office.
Christiane Fox, the deputy minister of immigration, reports that an IT malfunction during the introduction of the additional categories compelled the department to lower the number of drawings; going ahead, the department will make up the difference.
Additionally, the Deputy Minister announced that by December of this year, a category-based draw for skilled crafts professionals will be held.
Canada has made 12 category-based selection draw invitations to candidates since the first one in June, for a total of over 11,000 ITAs. Every applicant was already included in the Express Entry database.
What is the purpose of Express Entry?
Candidates for permanent residence under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program submit their applications using Express Entry, an application management system.
Candidates are assessed through Express Entry utilizing the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). In order to do this, the algorithm gives applicants points based on their total human capital traits. This covers elements including age, education, employment, language proficiency, and job experience. Every factor has a fixed point value.
An invitation to apply (ITA) is most likely to be sent to candidates with the highest score. A applicant has 60 days from the date of the ITA to present the IRCC with their final application for permanent residence.
Within six months, the IRCC hopes to complete every Express Entry application.
