IRCC has issued invitations to apply in an all-program Express Entry draw. It invited over 3,725 applicants in that draw.
Applicants need a minimum CRS score of 500.
The Express Entry draw followed three consecutive draws in the week of September 25. The first draw occurred on September 26, wherein over 3,000 applicants with a minimum CRS score of 504 were invited.
The second all-program Express Entry draw occurred on September 27, wherein over 500 applicants were invited for French-speaking proficiency. They required a minimum CRS of 472.
The last draw of the week was on September 28, wherein over 600 applicants with a CRS of 354 were invited in the first-ever category-based draw for applicants in agriculture/ agri-food professions.
The draw implies that IRCC has now invited applicants from each of the six new categories eligible under category-based selection.
Summary Of Express Entry Draw Since June 2023
| Date | Draw Type | Number Of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
| Sept 28 | Agriculture & Agri-Food Professions | 600 | 354 |
| Sept 27 | French Language Proficiency | 500 | 472 |
| Sept 26 | All-Program | 3000 | 504 |
| Sept 20 | Transport Professions | 1000 | 435 |
| Sept 19 | All-Program | 3200 | 531 |
| Aug 15 | All-Program | 4300 | 496 |
| Aug 3 | Trade Professions | 1500 | 388 |
| Aug 2 | French Language Proficiency | 800 | 435 |
| Aug 1 | All-Program | 2000 | 517 |
| July 12 | French Language Proficiency | 3800 | 375 |
| July 11 | All-Program | 800 | 505 |
| July 7 | French Language Proficiency | 2300 | 439 |
| July 6 | Healthcare Professions | 1500 | 463 |
| July 5 | STEM Professions | 500 | 486 |
| July 4 | All-Program | 700 | 511 |
| June 28 | Healthcare Professions | 500 | 476 |
| June 27 | All-Program | 4300 | 486 |
| June 8 | All-Program | 4800 | 486 |
Year-End Express Entry Report For 2022
On September 26, IRCC released its annual report for the all-program Express Entry draw.
It was found that there were around 24 Express Entry draws last year, through which 46,539 ITAs were issued. Well, this is 59% fewer ITAs as compared to those in 2021.
This is precisely because of a pause in these draws for Federal High Skilled programs between September 2021 & July 2022.
Most Express Entry ITAs in 2022 were issued to applicants in the PNP & CEC.
The final 8,386 ITAs were issued to applicants under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. It is vital to note that IRCC did not invite any Express Entry applicants via the Federal Skilled Trades Program in 2022.
In addition, applicants who listed their professions as designers, software engineers, information systems specialists, computer system developers, etc., obtained an ITA. Moreover, food service supervisors, as well as cooks, were also a common profession for an ITA.
More than 30,000 of the ITAs issued went to Canadian residents. Among the remaining ITAs, invitations went to applicants who were Indian or Nigerian residents.
What Is Category-Based Selection?
The Canadian government made certain changes in IRPA in June 2022 to allow the immigration minister to select immigrants/ newcomers based on key attributes which support Canada’s economic priorities, like relevant work experience, French language proficiency, etc.
In May 2023, IRCC declared six new Express Entry categories per this new authority. The classifications are:
- Healthcare
- STEM Professions
- Trades
- Transport
- Agriculture/ Agri-Food
- Strong French Abilities
These categories were selected after consultations with IRCC partners, provincial governments, & stakeholders.
In some ways, the new categories reflect existing streams under PNP, which allow provincial governments to select economic immigration candidates who are likely to integrate into the provincial economy. These applicants are typically selected based on a specific attribute, like language ability, relevant work experience, etc., in an in-demand profession.
The PNP nominates applicants at the provincial level & strengthens a PR application. On the contrary, the new category-based selection draws invite applicants to apply directly to IRCC for permanent residence.
What Is Express Entry?
Express Entry manages three economic immigration programs, i.e., FSWP, FSTP, & CEC.
In order to be eligible for Express Entry, applicants need a minimum CRS score based on a collection of human capital attributes, like work experience, profession, age, language ability, etc. Every attribute is worth a specific point value. In addition, those who score the highest obtain an ITA in an Express Entry draw.
After an applicant has determined that they are eligible for an Express Entry managed program, the next step is to upload their profile onto the IRCC website & wait to obtain an ITA.
Finally, applicants who are issued an ITA via Express Entry might further apply for PR. IRCC aims to process over 80% of all Express Entry applications within six months