The year 2023 is turning out to be an exciting one for Express Entry candidates, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts its twelfth draw. This time, it’s a special one, dedicated to candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
A whopping 589 candidates received invitations to apply (ITAs) in this PNP exclusive draw, with the requirement of a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 691. This is the fourth PNP specific draw of the year, following the one held on March 1, which invited 667 candidates.
For those not in the know, in a PNP specific draw, the candidates already present in the Express Entry pool get a chance to shine if they’ve secured a nomination from a Canadian province. Since the last PNP specific draw, all other draws have considered candidates from all Express Entry programs.
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Major Update: Proof of Funds Requirement Changes
On May 2, IRCC unveiled a new change for Express Entry applicants. The amount of money that these applicants need to have access to in Canada has been updated. Now, all Express Entry candidates must provide proof of funds, showing that they have sufficient money to settle in Canada.
However, this rule doesn’t apply to everyone. Candidates in the Canadian Experience Class or those with a valid job offer and work authorization in Canada are exempted from this requirement. This holds true even for applicants under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
For ongoing eligibility, candidates now need to update their profiles to reflect that they still possess the required settlement funds. The amount, updated annually by IRCC, is based on 50% of the low-income cut-off totals, which varies depending on the number of people a candidate must support.
Overview of Updated Funds
Here’s a quick overview of the updated funds required (in Canadian dollars):
| Number of Family Members | Funds Required (in Canadian dollars) |
| 1 | $13,757 |
| 2 | $17,127 |
| 3 | $21,055 |
| 4 | $25,564 |
| 5 | $28,994 |
| 6 | $32,700 |
| 7 | $36,407 |
| More than 7 (for each additional member) | $3,706 |
Express Entry: A 2023 Overview
The recent PNP specific draw follows the April 26 draw where 3,500 candidates with CRS scores of 483 were invited. April 12 saw a similar number of candidates with CRS scores of 486 being invited. This is a significant drop from March’s high, where more than 21,000 candidates were invited over four consecutive draws.
This March tally was the second-highest in Express Entry history, only surpassed by a draw in February 2021 when 27,332 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates received an ITA.
April signals a tentative return to the usual draw schedule. Typically, Express Entry draws take place every other week on Wednesdays, which was the norm until late 2022 and throughout March 2023.
The Express Entry Story
For those uninitiated, Express Entry manages three economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Each of these has its unique eligibility criteria, but they all require skilled work experience.
Candidates self-evaluate their eligibility and upload a profile on the IRCC website. Express Entry uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to score and rank candidates based on factors such as work experience, occupation, language ability, education, age, and other relevant factors.
The highest-scoring candidates are most likely to receive an ITA for permanent residence
Conclusion
As we wrap up, it’s clear that 2023 is shaping up to be a dynamic year for Express Entry candidates. With frequent draws and changing requirements, it’s more important than ever to stay informed and prepared. Whether you’re navigating the PNP specific draws or adapting to the updated proof of funds requirement, one thing remains consistent – the Express Entry system continues to offer promising opportunities for immigration to Canada.
Keep your profiles updated, stay eligible, and who knows? Your invitation to apply for permanent residence might just be around the corner. Stay tuned for more updates on Express Entry draws and immigration news!
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