In recent breaking news, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially resumed the Express Entry draws, marking the first one since October 2023. In this recent draw, the department issued 4,750 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in an all-program draw, emphasizing the Canadian government’s commitment to attracting skilled individuals.
For candidates to be considered in this draw, a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 561 was required. This draw is particularly significant as it ends the pause in Express Entry activities since October 26. A brief interruption occurred when, on November 14, IRCC acknowledged issues with the Express Entry Profile Builder, preventing some applicants from submitting their applications. However, by November 16, the department assured that the issue had been resolved.
In the draw held on October 26, 3,600 candidates were issued ITAs in a category-based selection draw for healthcare occupations, with a minimum CRS score of 431. This period also saw two additional draws. On October 25, 300 candidates proficient in French were invited with a minimum CRS score of 486. The final draw on October 24, specifically for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, issued invitations to 1,548 individuals with a higher minimum score of 776. Express Entry candidates nominated through the PNP receive an additional 600 CRS points, elevating the minimum CRS score for this draw.
Express Entry All- Program Draws Summary since June 2023
Here is a concise overview of Express Entry draws held since June 2023:
| Date | Category | No of Invitation | Min CRS |
| Oct 10, 2023 | All-Program | 3,725 | 500 |
| Sept 26, 2023 | All-Program | 3,000 | 504 |
| Sept 19, 2023 | All-Program | 3,200 | 531 |
| Aug 15, 2023 | All-Program | 4,300 | 496 |
| Aug 1, 2023 | All-Program | 2,000 | 517 |
| July 11, 2023 | All-Program | 800 | 505 |
| July 4, 2023 | All-Program | 700 | 511 |
| June 27, 2023 | All-Program | 4,300 | 486 |
| June 8, 2023 | All-Program | 4,800 | 486 |
Understanding Category-Based Selection
Introduced in May 2023, category-based selection Express Entry rounds aim to address specific criteria for candidates. This includes French-language proficiency or work experience in occupations facing shortages, such as healthcare, STEM professions, trades, transport, agriculture, and agri-food.
These targeted draws respond to labor shortages affecting critical sectors in Canada, including healthcare and the supply chain. Minister Marc Miller underscores the importance of admitting skilled workers to address these shortages, especially with an anticipated nine million Canadians expected to retire by 2030.
While the current Immigration Levels Plan for 2023-2025 outlines high admission targets, discussions in a recent meeting of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration revealed a slowdown in Express Entry draws since Minister Miller assumed office. Deputy Immigration Minister Christiane Fox attributed this slowdown to an IT glitch during the launch of new categories. The department plans to make up for reduced draw numbers moving forward.
Deputy Minister Fox also announced a category-based draw for skilled trades professionals scheduled for December this year. Since the introduction of category-based draws in June, Canada has invited candidates through 12 such draws, totaling over 11,000 ITAs. Importantly, all these candidates were already part of the Express Entry pool.
Understanding Express Entry
Express Entry operates as an application management system processing permanent residence applications from candidates in the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Candidates undergo evaluation through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), where points are assigned based on human capital attributes like work experience, language ability, occupation, education, and age. The highest-scoring candidates are most likely to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), giving them 60 days to submit their final application for permanent residency to IRCC.
IRCC aims to process all Express Entry applications within six months, reflecting Canada’s commitment to efficient immigration processes.
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