IRCC organized the latest Express Entry draw on July 12. In this draw, over 3,800 applicants were invited to French-language category-based draws who had a minimum CRS score of 375. 

Here is an outline of the recent Express Entry draw held. 

July 11

On July 11, IRCC invited 800 applicants in an all-program draw. Herein, applicants required a minimum CRS score of 505, which is prominently higher than the three category-based selection invitations that took place in the previous week. However, this number is still lower than the score of 511 required for applicants in the July 4 draw. 

July 4 – 7 

IRCC held Express Entry draws on four consecutive days last week. 

The invitations were issued on July 4 from an unexpected draw, wherein almost 700 applicants were invited with a CRS score of 511. This was the highest CRS score for any all-program draw so far this year. 

The second Express Entry draw took place on July 5. It was the first round of invitations which was issued to candidates with work experience in STEM occupations. In addition, IRCC invited over 500 candidates with a CRS score of 486. IRCC made a declaration that this draw would take place a week in advance. 

In the third draw, IRCC issued invitations to 1500 applicants in another unexpected all-program draw for healthcare workers/ professionals with a cut-off CRS score of 463. 

Finally, the fourth draw took place on July 7. ITAs were issued to over 2,300 applicants who have strong French-speaking abilities & a minimum CRS score of 439. 

June 27 – 28

IRCC invited over 4,300 applicants on June 27 in an all-program draw with a CRS score of 486. 

Moreover, on June 28, IRCC issued Invitations To Apply, i.e., ITAs for category-based selection draws. In this draw, over 500 applicants were invited to apply for PR who had work experience in healthcare professions & a CRS score of 476. 

Category-Based Selection 

On May 31, the immigration minister of Canada, Sean Fraser, declared that IRCC had finalized categories for category-based selection. These categories/ classifications were expected following Bill C-19 in the Canadian parliament, which further became a law. The law gave Sean Fraser the authority to invite economic immigration applicants who would support the economy of the nation & promote the French language outside Quebec. 

This means that Sean Fraser can invite newcomers/ immigrants based on specific characteristics/ attributes, like work experience, language abilities, etc., rather than focusing on the CRS score. 

The classifications were chosen after some discussions with stakeholders and partners & territorial and provincial governments to recognize the most vital gaps in the nation’s labor force. The categories are as follows: 

  • Healthcare
  • STEM professions
  • Trades
  • Transport
  • Agriculture/ Agri-Food 
  • Strong French-language abilities   

 

Candidates who are selected under these classifications must still be eligible/ suitable for the Express Entry. Moreover, it is also advantageous to have a high CRS score, as candidates will still be ranked against each other. 

Looking closely at the Immigration Level Plans of 2023-25, IRCC plans to admit 82,880 new permanent inhabitants to the country via the Express Entry program by the end of this year. 

Moreover, this count will rise to 109,020 in 2024 & 114,000 by 2025. The recent Express Entry categories will help ensure that immigrants/ newcomers coming to Canada are contributing enough to meet these objectives, thus strengthening the workforce of Canada.