On November 9, Canada’s held its most recent all-program Express Entry draw.
This is the tenth draw since all-program draws recommenced on July 6.
IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) issued invitations to 4,750 candidates with a minimum CRS (comprehensive ranking system) score of 494. Eligible candidates were invited from the three programs, including:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
All these programs operate under the Express Entry system.
Beginning in December 2020, Express Entry all-programs draws were paused for more than 18 months. During the pause, applicants from the PNP (Provincial Nominee Program) or CEC were issued ITAs (Invitations to Apply). The draws were paused owing to a backlog in applications, which was caused by travel restrictions due to COVID-19. In September 2021, draws were paused for the CEC by the IRCC as well.
This draw is the second in a row for inviting 4,750 candidates. It is consistent with the one held on October 26. Also, there was a drop of only two points in the minimum CRS, which went down from 496, the smallest one ever since all programs restarted.
Breakdown of Express Entry Invitations
CIC News lately acquired data from IRCC showing how invitations to apply have been issued across each Express Entry program since draws recommenced on July 6. Overall 26,250 candidates have received ITAs through Express Entry.
Most invitations (13,774) are from the CEC. Eligible candidates in the Canadian Experience Class program have no less than one year of living or working in Canada within three years of their application date. Also, they should have a CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) score of 5 for NOC B jobs or CLB of 7 for NOC skill level 0 or A jobs.
The remaining invitations are approximately equally split between the FSWP, 6,154. And Express Entry applicants through the PNP at 6,322. There were no candidates who received invitations under the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025
IRCC, on November 1, released the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025. It acts as an instruction for immigration programs across all lines of business. Also, it provides targets for the number of immigrants who will be granted PR (Permanent Resident) status. The 2023-2025 plan aims at 500,000 new permanent residents in Canada annually by the end of 2025.
82,880 immigrants will be admitted to the country as permanent residents through the Express Entry program. The target is 109,020 and 114,000 for 2024 and 2025 respectively. Or, around one-fifth of the total immigration targets in Canada. These targets draw attention to the significance that the country places on economic immigration in the face of continuing labour shortage and roughly 75% of population growth.
The targets for Express Entry candidates are the second highest among economic immigration programs, which are exceeded only by the PNP.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is the application management system that uses a points-based system i.e. the Comprehensive Ranking System for ranking candidates’ profiles. Express Entry includes three main programs: the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). PNP (Provincial Nominee Program) candidates in the Express Entry pool are eligible for at least one of these programs.
Candidates with the top scores receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply). They can then apply for permanent residency without any hassle.
After the candidate applies, an IRCC officer assesses the application and decides if they are approved. Once this is complete (if approved), the candidate can now become a Canadian permanent resident and one step closer to becoming a citizen of the country.
