- Canada’s seventh Express Entry draw of 2023 invited 7,000 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 490 in the first all-program draw since January 18.
- The draw broke a pattern of program-specific draws that have been happening for the past two months.
- IRCC released a report summarizing Express Entry data for 2021, which was a unique year in the program’s history due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions and border closures.
On March 8, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the seventh Express Entry draw of 2023, inviting 7,000 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 490. This is the first all-program draw since January 18.
Record Number of ITAs Issued
The number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in this draw beats the previous record of 5,500 candidates invited in the last all-program draw on January 18. In an all-program draw candidates are considered from all three Express Entry programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Break in the Pattern of Program-Specific Draws
This draw breaks a pattern of program-specific draws that have been occurring over the past two months. Since the last all-program draw, there have been four program-specific rounds of invitations, three for PNP-only and one for FSWP candidates. The most recent draw was PNP-only, and just 697 candidates received ITAs on March 1.
2021 Express Entry Data Released
IRCC has released a report summarizing Express Entry data for 2021. It was a unique year in the program’s history. Starting in December 2020, all program draws were paused to ease the backlog caused by COVID-19-related travel restrictions and border closures. IRCC continued to issue ITAs to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) until September 2021 when CEC draws were also paused. There were no all-program Express Entry draws in 2021. All 42 Express Entry draws were program specific for the PNP and the CEC, and no ITAs were issued to FSWP or FSTP candidates. Over half, 64%, of ITAs were issued to recipients between the ages of 20-29 years.
What is Express Entry?
The Express Entry application management system oversees three programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) are already eligible for at least one Express Entry program.
Points-Based Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
Express Entry programs rank candidates using the points-based Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Points are awarded based on work experience, language ability, education, and human capital factors. Candidates with the highest scores will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and can then apply for permanent residency. A candidate has 60 days to complete and submit their application. An IRCC officer then reviews the application and decides if the candidate is approved.
