The First Express Entry draw since October 2023 was held by Canada. It was an all-program draw in which 4,750 candidates were invited.
A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 561 was required by the candidates. Since October 26, it has been the first draw. On November 14, IRCC announced that issues are being experienced by some applicants who are using the Express Entry Profile Builder as they are unable to submit their applications.
On November 16, the department cleared that the issue had been resolved. It is unclear whether it was the reason for the extended gap in draws or not. On October 26, Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued to 3,600 candidates in a category-based selection draw for healthcare occupations. A minimum CRS score of 431 was required by the candidates.
In the same week, there were two additional draws. 300 candidates were invited by IRCC on October 25 in a category-based selection draw for those who demonstrate French-speaking proficiency. A minimum CRS score of 486 was required by the candidates.
On October 24, the remaining draw took place. Invitations were issued to 1,548 candidates by IRCC in a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-only draw. A minimum score of 776 is required by the candidates. Additional 600 CRS points were automatically received by the Express Entry candidates who were nominated through the PNP. It causes the minimum CRS for this type of draw to be higher.
What are Category-Based Express Entry Draws?
IRCC announced that it would begin holding category-based Express Entry draws from May this year. Express Entry Canada candidates who meet the criteria for a specific attribute are targeted by these draws. Attributes such as French-language proficiency or work experience are required in the Majority of Occupations Eligible for Express Entry Category Based Selection in the sectors of healthcare, trades, transport, STEM professions, agriculture, and agri-food.
A shortage of skilled workers is being experienced in these occupations. Canada’s economy is strained with these shortages and other key factors such as the Healthcare System of Canada and its supply chain. Admitting more skilled workers is key to eliminating these shortages as stated by Canada’s Immigration Minister Marc Miller, especially as up to 9 million Canadians are expected to retire by 2030.
There will be 114,000 Federal High Skilled (Express Entry) immigrations admitted to Canada each year by the end of 2025 as shown by the Latest Immigration Levels Plan for 2023-2025. By November 1st, a new Levels Plan is expected. It was noted that there has been a slowdown in the number of Express Entry draws since Minister Miller took office despite these high targets.
An IT glitch forced the department to reduce the number of draws when the new categories were launched as stated by Deputy Immigration Minister Christiane Fox. She also stated that the department will make up for the numbers as they go forward.
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