The latest Express Entry draw held on June 8, 2023, stands as a significant development. Canada’s Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is strengthening its Express Entry immigration program to support its economic goals. IRCC has also introduced an innovative approach to the selection of candidates through the new category-based rounds of invitations. Let’s dive into the key highlights and implications of these recent changes.
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8, June 2023 Draw
In the first draw of June, the fourteenth of the year 2023, IRCC extended invitations to apply (ITA) for permanent residence to 4,800 candidates. All candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 486. This score saw a slight decrease from the preceding draw held on May 24, 2023, which required a CRS score of 488.
So far in 2023, IRCC has invited 49,948 candidates over 13 draws. This is already a considerable increase from the number of candidates invited during the same period in 2022.
Express Entry in 2023: A Summary
In 2023, Express Entry draws have been frequent and diverse, spanning all-program draws, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws, and even a draw for Federal Skilled Worker Program candidates. Here’s a snapshot of the activity:
Round of Invitation #250
Date and time of round: June 08, 2023 12:08:58 UTC
No Program Specified
Number of invitations issued: 4,800
Rank required to be invited to apply: 4,800 or above
CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 486
Tie-breaking rule: May 19, 2023 14:04:00 UTC
What is Express Entry?
Established in 2015, the Express Entry system is a critical mechanism for managing applications for economic immigration to Canada. The system targets high-skilled candidates for permanent residence through three programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.
The Express Entry process employs a points-based system known as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS evaluates candidates based on various factors such as:
- Work experience
- Language proficiency
- Education
- Age
- Other transferable skills
Candidates with the highest CRS scores are prioritized and issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.
Introduction of Category-Based Rounds of Invitations
On May 31, 2023, IRCC announced an innovation to the Express Entry system: the introduction of category-based rounds of invitations. These rounds target candidates with specific attributes deemed critical to Canada’s economic objectives. The new categories include:
- Healthcare
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- Trades (like carpenters, plumbers, and contractors)
- Transport
- Agriculture and agri-food
- French-speaking abilities
These category-based rounds are expected to start during the summer of 2023. IRCC will rank eligible candidates within these categories using the CRS and issue ITAs to the top-ranking candidates. However, it’s worth noting that all program draws and program-specific draws will continue as usual.
New Category-Based Selection for Express Entry Candidates: IRCC’s Innovative Approach
Types of Rounds of Invitations
The Express Entry system conducts different types of invitation rounds throughout the year.
- General rounds of invitations: Here, IRCC invites the highest-ranking candidates eligible for one of the three Express Entry programs.
- Program-specific rounds of invitations: These rounds target the top-ranking candidates eligible for a specific Express Entry program. For instance, a round specifically for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) would only invite PNP-eligible candidates.
- Category-based rounds of invitations: As discussed earlier, these rounds invite top-ranking candidates who can help meet specific economic objectives identified by the Canadian government.
You might be interested in…
- Manitoba PNP (MPNP) Latest Draw, June 01, 2023
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) Conducts New Draw for French-Speaking Skilled Workers
Looking Ahead: What to Expect?
With the introduction of category-based selection, the IRCC is expected to shift focus from purely high CRS scores to attributes aligning with Canada’s economic needs. This move will further diversify the pool of invited candidates, making Canada’s immigration process more inclusive and responsive to its economic realities.
With the upcoming category-based rounds, it is advisable to understand these new categories and how they might impact your Express Entry prospects. Regularly checking your Express Entry profile, keeping tabs on the CRS score distribution, and staying updated with IRCC announcements can increase your chances of securing an ITA.
Overall, with its systematic and fair approach to skilled immigration, the Express Entry program continues to serve as a valuable gateway for skilled individuals looking to call Canada home.
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