Express Entry draw – IRCC Holds Its Third-Biggest All-Program
In the ninth Express Entry draw of the year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC Canada) invited 7,000 applicants to submit an immigration application. The IRCC held two identical draws in the previous two weeks. Therefore, this was the third surprise draw.
What are the changes at this Express Entry draw?
7,000 candidates were invited to this draw, tied with the largest all-program draws held on March 15 and 23, 2023. The most recent draw needed a CRS score of at least 484. Moreover, the required CRS score decreased by 3 points, from 481 to 481. Express Entry candidates have now been invited by the IRCC Canada for the third consecutive week, which is unusual considering that draws for the Express Entry programs are typically held every other week.
The most considerable Express Entry draw size was a CEC-only draw in February 2021, making this Express Entry draw the third-largest ever. Candidates from the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), were all taken into consideration in this all-program draw.Â
For this Express Entry draw, a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS Canada) score of at least 481 was necessary. The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates were the main focus of the Express Entry draws in 2023, which included four PNP-only draws this year. But, IRCC Canada is now returning to its standard practice of taking into account every applicant in the Express Entry pool.Â
All draws were all-program between July and November 2022, with the smallest draw on July 6 only inviting 1,500 candidates. After an 18-month hiatus brought on by the COVID-19, this was the third largest all-program draw. After inviting 45,115 candidates for 2022, Canada has granted 38,260 ITAs in 2023 so fat.Â
All Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants received an unprecedented 114,431 ITAs from IRCC in 2021. It surpassed the prior record, which was 107,350 in 2020. For 2023, Canada has set a record-high immigration goal of 465,000.
This was the 245th Express Entry draw overall and the ninth round of invites under Express Entry in 2023.
What is an Express Entry Canada?
Express Entry is an online selection system that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC Canada) uses to evaluate candidates and invite them to immigrate based on their likelihood of economic success in Canada. First introduced in 2015, the program has ushered in many improvements to Canadian immigration, including quicker processing times, greater accessibility to applicants from various fields, and an increased focus on the quality of applications. Express Entry manages Permanent Residence (Canada PR) skilled workers’ applications for four economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): Applicants from one of 50 National Occupational Classification (NOC) categories with secondary education and at least one year of continuous work experience are eligible. A job offer is not required.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): Applicants must have at least two years of work experience in the past five years in a skilled trade. They must have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or a certification of qualification in their marketing issued by a Canadian authority.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Applicants must be skilled workers with at least one year of Canadian work experience.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP): An Express Entry option is available for provincial immigration programs. Each province or territory has its criteria – inquire on their website. Provinces and Territories (PTs) can also recruit candidates from the Express Entry pool to meet local labour market needs through the PNP.
How do I qualify for Canada Express Entry?
The candidate must first meet the requirements of at least one of these programs to be eligible to place in a pool of candidates for immigration. They may complete an online Express Entry profile identifying their skills and qualifications. Then, the Express Entry system uses a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank the applicants against other applicants in the pool on a points-based system considering a variety of factors, including age, education, work experience (Abroad and Canadian work experience), language proficiency in English and French, family members and details on any job offer. The IRCC holds periodic draws, historically every two weeks, and invites the top-scoring candidates to apply for Canada PR.
What if my CRS score is low?
Since you must compete in the Express Entry pool to get ITA, knowing the various ways to increase your CRS score is essential. You can improve your CRS score if you have submitted your Express Entry profile and your CRS score is lower than what is in demand.Â
How can I raise my CRS above 500?
Here is an article detailing the key steps to improve your CRS.
How Can I find my NOC 2021 codes and TEER?
Here are steps to find your NOC Codes.
Can I apply for PNP without Express Entry?
You must apply to the province or territory for nomination under a non-Express Entry stream in the non-Express Entry process. You must fulfill the province’s qualifying standards to be nominated. Processing times for applications are more extended than through Express.
Does Express Entry give you Canada PR?
It is not a given that you will get an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence (PR Canada) after completing an Express Entry profile. Your score and Express Entry pool performance using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS Canada) will determine whether you are invited to apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
How Can We Assist You?
At Arnika Visa, we help you to find the most tailored strategy to get an ITA in the next Express Entry draw and finally achieve your immigration goals. From filing the immigration forms to guiding you through supporting documents, we take care of it all.Â
We can advise you professionally regarding the required personalized supporting documents to increase the chance of your approval and, finally, submit your application to IRCC Canada on your behalf as an authorized representative. If you want to discover how the RCIC can help you, the first step is to complete the Assessment Form (To detail your personal, educational, and employment information) available on the site.
