IRCC issued 800 invitations in response to the Express Entry draw results. The department issued these invitations to applicants in an all-program draw who had a minimum CRS score of 505.
Here is an overview of the most recent Express Entry draw results:
July 4 – 7
IRCC organized Express Entry draws on four days last week. The invitations were issued on July 4 from a surprise draw, wherein over 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 occurred on July 5. It was the first-ever round of invitations issued to applicants with work experience in STEM professions. In addition, IRCC invited over 500 applicants with a CRS score of 486. IRCC declared that this draw would happen a week in advance.
In the third draw, IRCC issued invitations to 1500 applicants in another surprise all-program draw for healthcare workers/ professionals with a 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 CRS score of 439.
June 27 – 28
On June 27, IRCC invited 4,300 applicants in an all-program draw with a minimum CRS score of 486.
In addition, on June 28, IRCC issued ITAs for category-based selection. Overall, 500 candidates with relevant work experience in healthcare occupations/ professions & a CRS score of 476 were invited to apply for PR.
Category-Based Selection
On May 31, 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 gives the immigration minister the authority to invite economic immigration applicants who will support the economy of the nation & promote the French language outside Quebec.
This implies the minister can invite immigrants/ newcomers depending on particular characteristics/ attributes, like work experience, language abilities, etc., instead of focusing on the overall CRS score.
The categories/ classifications were selected after discussions with stakeholders & territorial and provincial governments to recognize the most crucial gaps in Canada’s labor force. The categories are as follows:
- Healthcare
- STEM professions
- Trades
- Transport
- Agriculture/ Agri-Food
- Strong French-language abilities
Applicants selected under these categories must still be eligible for the Express Entry program. In addition, it is also beneficial to have a high CRS score, as applicants will still be ranked against one another.
Looking closely at the Immigration Level Plans of 2023-25, IRCC plans to admit 82,880 new permanent inhabitants to the country via Express Entry by the end of this year. Moreover, this count will rise to 109,020 in 2024 & 114,000 by 2025. The new Express Entry categories/ classifications will help ensure that immigrants/ newcomers arriving in Canada are helping to meet these targets, thus strengthening the Canadian workforce.