Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently conducted its latest round of Express Entry invitations, bringing forth some notable changes in the selection criteria. On July 12th, the department invited 3,800 candidates under a French language category-based draw, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement of 375. This development marks a significant shift in Canada’s immigration landscape.
It is worth mentioning that the information provided is subject to updates as the situation unfolds. CIC News will continue to provide the latest updates throughout the week.
Let’s take a closer look at the most recent Express Entry results and the preceding draws:
On July 11, IRCC invited 800 candidates in an all-program draw. These candidates were required to obtain a minimum CRS score of 505. While this score is higher compared to the three category-based selection invitations from the previous week, it remains lower than the score of 511, which was necessary for candidates in the July 4 draw.
Between July 4-7, IRCC held draws for four consecutive days, resulting in a series of noteworthy invitations.
The draw on July 4 took everyone by surprise as it was an all-program draw, and 700 candidates were invited with a minimum CRS score of 511. This marked the highest CRS score requirement for any all-program draw in 2023, reflecting the increasing competitiveness in the Express Entry system.
The following day, on July 5, IRCC held the anticipated first-ever round of invitations for candidates with work experience in select science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) occupations. A total of 500 candidates were invited, and they needed to have a minimum CRS score of 486. Notably, IRCC had announced this draw a week in advance, providing candidates in STEM fields with an opportunity to prepare.
Moving on to July 6, IRCC conducted a category-based selection draw specifically targeting healthcare professionals. As expected, 1,500 candidates were invited with a cut-off CRS score of 463. This draw aimed to address the critical demand for healthcare workers in Canada.
The week concluded with another draw on July 7, where 2,300 candidates with strong French-speaking abilities received Invitations to Apply (ITAs). To qualify, candidates needed to have a minimum CRS score of 439, highlighting Canada’s commitment to promoting bilingualism and diversity.
On June 27, IRCC conducted an all-program draw and invited 4,300 candidates who met the minimum CRS score requirement of 486.
The subsequent day, June 28, marked a significant milestone as IRCC issued the first-ever ITAs under the category-based selection system. Specifically, 500 candidates with work experience in healthcare occupations were invited to apply for permanent residence, provided they obtained a minimum CRS score of 476.
The implementation of category-based selection aligns with Canada’s efforts to optimize its immigration system and address specific labor market needs. On May 31, Canada’s Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser, announced that IRCC had finalized categories for category-based selection. This development followed the royal assent of Bill C-19 in Canada’s parliament in June last year, which granted the immigration minister the authority to invite economic immigration candidates who would contribute to Canada’s economy and promote the French language outside of Quebec.
The introduction of category-based selection allows the immigration minister to extend invitations based on specific attributes, such as language proficiency or work experience, rather than solely relying on the overall CRS score. These categories were determined through consultations with stakeholders, as well as provincial and territorial governments, with the goal of addressing crucial gaps in Canada’s labor force. The identified categories are as follows:
- Healthcare
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- Trades, including carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
- Transport
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Strong French-language proficiency
However, it is essential to note that candidates selected under these categories must still meet the eligibility requirements for an Express Entry program. While category-based selection offers additional pathways, a high CRS score remains advantageous as candidates are ranked against one another.
According to the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025, IRCC aims to admit a total of 82,880 new permanent residents to Canada through the Express Entry system by the end of 2023. This target increases to 109,020 in 2024 and 114,000 by 2025. The introduction of new Express Entry categories plays a vital role in ensuring that newcomers to Canada contribute to meeting these ambitious targets while bolstering the country’s workforce.
As Canada continues to adapt and optimize its immigration policies, prospective candidates should stay informed about the evolving criteria and opportunities within the Express Entry system.
With the Express Entry System, an electronic profile of the applicant must be prepared and submitted to CIC. Canadian by Choice can help you navigate through this process and submit the best profile for you.
We will then assess and rank your profile amongst other applicant’s profiles in a pool. Your assessment and ranking will be based on:
- Age
- Education
- English and/or French language skills
- Work experience
- Other factors that have been shown to help newcomers prosper in Canada.
