Express Entry
IRCC Invited 7,000 Candidates in Its All-Program Express Entry Draw
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its all-program Express Entry draw for the third time in 2023. The draw issued invitations to 7,000 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 481 to apply for permanent residence. Candidates from all three Express Entry programs—the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class—are taken into account in an all-program draw.
The CRS score needed for an all-program draw was the lowest in today’s draw. It was the lowest in the month of December 2020. The IRCC has invited a total of 21,000 candidates over the last two weeks with the lowest score.
Canada’s Express Entry Overview
Express Entry is the fastest and most popular program for immigrants in Canada. Candidates that apply under this system can receive their permanent residency status as soon as six months later. Canada’s Express Entry management system manages three federal streams – Canadian Experience Class (CEC); Federal Skilled Worker (FSW); and Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
Applicants apply under one of these programs and get a CRS score on human capital factors.
However, IRCC has not maintained a consistent draw schedule in recent months. Surprisingly, it held two biggest all-program draws consecutively on March 15 and 23.
Canada Plans to Welcome 83,000 Immigrants Through Express Entry in 2023
According to the Immigration Levels Plan 2023–2025, which expresses how Canada’s immigration system is run, IRCC plans to accept almost 83,000 immigrants this year through Express Entry. By 2024 and 2025, the goal will be 109,000 and 114,000, respectively.
In addition, Canada has elevated the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to the position of top economic class immigration route since last year. The majority of the provinces and territories in Canada run their own PNP, which gives them the ability to welcome candidates who are suitable for their economy. Almost 106,000 immigrants are expected to enter Canada under the PNP in 2023, 110,000 in 2024, and approximately 118,000 in 2025. This implies that if a candidate meets the requirements for one of the three Express Entry programs, they may enter the Express Entry pool and wait to be invited to apply for a PNP by a province or territory. This strategy is referred to as enhanced provincial nominations where individuals receive an additional 600 CRS points. These additional points practically assure the applicant of receiving an ITA for permanent residency.
