The latest Express Entry draw of 2023 has seen Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) extending invitations to more candidates.
On August 3rd, IRCC made a historic move by inviting 1,500 candidates in the first-ever targeted category-based Express Entry draw for trades professionals. This category encompasses trades like carpentry, plumbing, and welding, aiming to attract more workers to Canada’s construction sector. Candidates in this draw were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 388.
On August 1st, IRCC resumed all-program Express Entry draws, inviting 2,000 candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The minimum CRS score for this round was 517.
Earlier in July, on August 2nd, a category-based draw focused on candidates with French proficiency took place. 800 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued to eligible candidates with a minimum CRS score of 435.
The Express Entry landscape for 2023 has been dynamic and varied:
- July 11-12: A category-based selection draw for French-speaking candidates led to 3,800 candidates being invited, with a minimum CRS score of 375. On July 11, 800 candidates were invited in an all-program draw with a minimum CRS score of 505.
- July 4-7: This period witnessed a series of draws, starting with an unexpected all-program draw on July 4, where 700 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 511 were invited. On July 5, 500 candidates with work experience in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) were invited with a minimum CRS score of 486. July 6 saw the second round of invitations for healthcare professionals, with 1,500 candidates and a minimum CRS of 463. On July 7, 2,300 invitations were extended to Express Entry candidates with strong French-speaking abilities and a minimum CRS of 439.
- June 27-28: The last week of June featured an all-program draw inviting 4,300 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 486 on June 27. The next day, the first category-based selection round occurred, inviting 500 candidates with work experience in select healthcare occupations, requiring a minimum CRS score of 476.
Express Entry, a comprehensive application management system, oversees the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades Program. Candidates are assessed based on factors like work experience, occupation, language proficiency, education, and age, resulting in a Comprehensive Ranking System score. Candidates with higher scores are more likely to receive Invitations to Apply.
In a significant move on May 31, IRCC introduced new category-based selection criteria, emphasizing specific attributes over a high CRS score. Six new categories were established, including healthcare, STEM professions, trades, transport, agriculture, and strong French-language proficiency. These categories address critical labor force gaps and promote French language proficiency beyond Quebec. As the year unfolds, Express Entry continues to evolve, offering diverse opportunities for candidates to explore.
