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Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has invited more candidates in the latest Express Entry draw of 2023. On the 3rd of August, the department issued invitations to apply to 1,500 candidates in the first ever targeted category based Express Entry draw for candidates in the trades. The minimum required Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 388.

On Monday the 1st of August, IRCC announced that the first targeted draw for candidates with experience in trades professions, under Express Entry category-based selection. The category includes professions like carpentry, plumbing, and welding—and will help Canada attract more workers to its construction sector.

Note: This is a developing story. CIC News will update it throughout the week.

Overview of the most recent Express Entry results

August 2nd 

On the 2nd of August, IRCC held a category-based draw for candidates with French proficiency, issuing 800 ITAs to those who are eligible for the category, with a minimum CRS score of 435. The previous targeted draw for French speakers took place on July 12th

August 1st 

All-program Express Entry draws resumed on August 1st, as IRCC invited 2,000 candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Candian Experience Class (CEC). The minimum CRS score for this round was 517.

August 1st marked the first all-program Express Entry draw since the 11th of July.

July 11-12

IRCC invited 3,800 candidates to apply for permanent residency under a category-based selection draw for French-speaking candidates. They required a minimum CRS score of 375. The lowest CRS score for any Express Entry draw this year by a significant margin.

On July 11, there were 800 candidates invited in an all-program draw with a minimum CRS score of 505.

July 4-7

The first full week of July saw Express Entry ITAs issued on four consecutive days for the first time in Express Entry history.

The July 4 draw was an unexpected all-program draw that saw 700 candidates invited. They required a minimum CRS score of 511, which is the highest CRS score of any all-program draw in 2023 so far.

On July 5 IRCC held a previously announced category-based selection draw for candidates with work experience in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) occupations. This was the first draw for STEM candidates since category-based selection draw categories were announced on May 31. IRCC invited 500 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 486.

The draw on July 6 was also expected. IRCC invited 1,500 candidates with a minimum CRS of 463 in a category-based selection draw for healthcare professionals. It was the second round of invitations for this category.

On July 7, 2,300 invitations were issued to Express Entry candidates with strong French-speaking abilities and a minimum CRS of 439. French-speaking abilities is the only category-based selection criteria that is not occupation-specific.

June 27-28

IRCC held two draws in the last week of June. The first was an all-program draw inviting 4,300 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 486 on June 27.

This was followed the next day by the first-ever category-based selection round of invitations. IRCC invited 500 candidates with work experience in select healthcare occupations. They required a minimum CRS score of 476.

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has invited more candidates in the latest Express Entry draw of 2023.

On the 2nd of August, the department issued invitations to apply to 800 candidates in a targeted category based Express Entry draw for people with French language proficiency. The minimum required Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 435.

Note: This is a developing story. CIC News will update it throughout the week.

Overview of the most recent Express Entry results

August 1st

Express Entry draws resumed on August 1st, inviting 2,000 candidates in an all-program Express Entry draw. The minimum CRS score for this round was 517.

August 1st marked the first all-program Express Entry draw since the 11th of July.

July 11-12

IRCC invited 3,800 candidates to apply for permanent residency under a category-based selection draw for French-speaking candidates. They required a minimum CRS score of 375. The lowest CRS score for any Express Entry draw this year by a significant margin.

On July 11, there were 800 candidates invited in an all-program draw with a minimum CRS score of 505.

July 4-7

The first full week of July saw Express Entry ITAs issued on four consecutive days for the first time in Express Entry history.

The July 4 draw was an unexpected all-program draw that saw 700 candidates invited. They required a minimum CRS score of 511, which is the highest CRS score of any all-program draw in 2023 so far.

On July 5 IRCC held a previously announced category-based selection draw for candidates with work experience in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) occupations. This was the first draw for STEM candidates since category-based selection draw categories were announced on May 31. IRCC invited 500 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 486.

The draw on July 6 was also expected. IRCC invited 1,500 candidates with a minimum CRS of 463 in a category-based selection draw for healthcare professionals. It was the second round of invitations for this category.

On July 7, 2,300 invitations were issued to Express Entry candidates with strong French-speaking abilities and a minimum CRS of 439. French-speaking abilities is the only category-based selection criteria that is not occupation-specific.

June 27-28

IRCC held two draws in the last week of June. The first was an all-program draw inviting 4,300 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 486 on June 27.

This was followed the next day by the first-ever category-based selection round of invitations. IRCC invited 500 candidates with work experience in select healthcare occupations. They required a minimum CRS score of 476.

IRCC has invited 700 candidates in the most recent Express Entry draw. It was an all-program draw and candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 511.

This draw comes as a surprise as Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has said it will invite 1,500 healthcare workers via category-based selection today, July 5. In addition, it is expected IRCC will also invite candidates with work experience in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) occupations in the first-ever category-based selection Express Entry draw for STEM professions. It remains to be seen what the minimum CRS score will be required for healthcare and STEM candidates.

Last week, on June 28, IRCC held the first-ever Express Entry category-based draw, inviting 500 healthcare workers with a minimum CRS score of 476. On that same date, IRCC announced it would be inviting STEM professions in a category-based Express Entry round this week.

The current CRS score of 511 is the highest seen in any all-program draw of 2023. It is significantly higher than it was in the last all-program draw on June 27 when there were 4,300 candidates invited with a minimum CRS score of 486. It is also 35 points higher than the 476 required in the category-based draw on June 28.

Category-based draws

Category-based selection draws are a new type of Express Entry draw that aims to invite candidates within specific occupational fields or those who have other in-demand attributes. There are six new categories for which candidates may be eligible:

• Healthcare
• Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
• Trades, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
• Transport
• Agriculture and agri-food
• Strong French-language proficiency

Category based selection draws were made possible following changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in June 2022. The changes give the immigration minister the authority to invite economic immigrants based on a specific attribute that align with Canada’s economic priorities or will promote the French language outside of Quebec.

IRCC has invited 500 healthcare workers under the new Express Entry category-based selection draws. Candidates required a minimum comprehensive ranking system (CRS) score of 476. This is the very first category-based selection draw since the six new categories were announced on May 31. A second round, inviting 1,500 workers to apply, will take place on July 5.

A draw inviting eligible candidates from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions is also expected to occur in the same week.

Healthcare occupations and category-based selection

On May 31, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it had finalized new category-based selection for Express Entry.

Among the six new categories, healthcare occupations make up the largest number of eligible occupations, 35 in total:

• Audiologists and speech language pathologists
• Chiropractors
• Dentists
• Dieticians and nutritionists
• Education counsellors
• General practitioners and family physicians
• Instructors of persons with disabilities
• Kinesiologists and other professional occupation in therapy and assessment
• Licensed practical nurses
• Massage therapists
• Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
• Medical laboratory technologists
• Medical radiation technologists
• Medical sonographers
• Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
• Nurse practitioners
• Nursing coordinators and supervisors
• Occupational therapists
• Optometrists
• Other assisting occupations in support of health services
• Other practitioners of natural healing
• Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
• Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
• Paramedical occupations
• Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
• Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
• Physiotherapists
• Psychologists
• Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
• Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
• Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
• Specialists in surgery
• Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies
• Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
• Veterinarians

Other categories include:

• science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
• trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors
• transportation
• agriculture and agri-food
• strong French language proficiency

Healthcare worker shortage in Canada

Healthcare is one of the sectors experiencing a critical shortage of workers. This is in part because Canada has one of the lowest birth rates globally and an aging population. For example, it is estimated that nine million Canadians will reach retirement age, 65, within the next seven years.

An older population will create more demand on the healthcare system. Canada needs immigrants to make up for the shortfall of younger Canadians and fill these critical positions.

Recent job vacancy data from Statistics Canada shows that there were 144,500 vacant positions within the healthcare and social assistance sector as of March 2023, or 17.7% of all unfilled positions.

Several provinces and territories already hold draws for healthcare professionals through targeted streams of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). For example, Alberta recently launched a Designated Healthcare Pathway, under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, British Columbia invites healthcare professionals in nearly every BC PNP draw and Ontario recently invited 318 foreign workers in a healthcare occupation.

Category-based selection draws were anticipated to begin this year due to changes made to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in June 2022. The changes mean that Canada’s immigration minister may now select economic immigrants based on key attributes if they will support Canada’s economic priorities or promote French-speaking immigration to communities outside of Quebec.

The categories were chosen following discussions with provincial and territorial governments as well as other stakeholders who were able to help IRCC understand where the biggest labour force gaps exist.

Eligible candidates under the occupation-specific categories require at least 6 months of continuous work experience in one of the listed occupations, obtained within the past three years. This experience can be gained either in Canada or abroad.

In an all-program draw, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 4,300 candidates having a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 486

This was the second draw this month following the one on June 8. That draw invited 4,800 candidates in an all-program draw and also required that candidates had a minimum CRS cut-off score of 486.

82 occupations now eligible for category-based selection

On May 31, IRCC announced that later in the summer it would begin holding draws for Express Entry candidates who fall into six new categories. The categories are:

• healthcare
• science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
• trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors
• transport
• agriculture and agri-food
• Strong French speaking abilities

In these new draws, Express Entry candidates who have either the required work or language experience in selected occupations within these categories will receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs).

Healthcare occupations represent nearly half of the overall occupations eligible for category-based selection.

Science, Technology Engineering and mathematics (STEM) occupations also make up a large share.

Immigration applicants who have work experience within any of the listed occupations must also be in the Express Entry pool to be eligible for an ITA.

A high CRS score is still relevant and those with the highest scores are still more likely to receive an ITA.

IRCC says the categories were chosen based on discussions with the provinces, territories, and other stakeholders. IRCC will include the results of the draws, and their success, in the yearly report to parliament. The department says categories can change from year to year.

Canada’s Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser, has announced the launch of category-based selection draws for Express Entry candidates. Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will be focusing on Express Entry candidates who have a strong French language proficiency or work experience in the following fields:

• healthcare
• science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
• trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors
• transport
• agriculture and agri-food

The minister says that allowing IRCC to invite more skilled workers in these targeted professions will support Canada’s commitment to welcoming in-demand professionals into communities across the country.

Draws under the new categories are expected to start later this summer.

Why are there new Express Entry categories?

The new categories are aimed to fill vacant positions throughout Canada. Immigration is seen as a vital component for reducing the labour shortage as well as growing the prominence of the French language in French minority communities outside of Quebec.

“Everywhere I go, I’ve heard loud and clear from employers across the country who are experiencing chronic labour shortages” says Fraser. “These changes to the Express Entry system will ensure that they have the skilled workers they need to grow and succeed. We can also grow our economy and help businesses with labour shortages while also increasing the number of French-proficient candidates to help ensure the vitality of French-speaking communities. Put simply, Canada’s immigration system has never been more responsive to the country’s social or economic needs.”

Category-based draws were expected to begin this year following changes made in June 2022 to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The changes give the minister the authority to select immigrants based on key attributes that support Canada’s economic priorities.

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 4,800 invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates in an all-program draw. Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 488.

This was the first all-program draw since April 26. In an all-program draw, candidates are considered from all three programs managed under the Express Entry application management system:  the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

This draw follows the most recent draw on May 10 in which 589 candidates received ITAs in a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) specific draw. In a PNP only draw, candidates are only considered if they are in the Express Entry pool and have also been nominated by a Canadian province.

Express Entry in 2023

Express Entry throughout 2023 has not yet established a strong pattern in terms of the number of candidates invited, the frequency of draws or even the type of draw.

January draws followed the pre-pandemic pattern of being two weeks apart and inviting candidates from all programs. This changed in February when IRCC held four program-specific draws between February 1 and March 1. February also saw the very first program-specific draw for the FSWP.

There were three draws in February, and one draw each week in March. Over 21,000 candidates were invited throughout March. This was the second-highest number of ITAs issued in one month in Express Entry history.

April resumed the pre-pandemic pattern of one all-program draw every two weeks.

Later this year, it is expected that IRCC will begin holding draws that target Express Entry candidates on specific attributes rather than a high CRS score. This became possible when Bill C-19 received Royal Assent in June 2022.

The Bill will give Canada’s immigration minister the authority to invite candidates who can best support Canada in its economic goals by easing the pressure in specific sectors caused by chronic labour shortages.

Express Entry draws are totally at the discretion of IRCC and the immigration minister. According to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, there is no rule to say when draws will occur, from which program, the number of candidates or the minimum CRS cut-off score. Put another way, there is no obligation for IRCC to follow a pattern or even hold draws at all if the minister does not deem it necessary.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a total of 589 invitations to apply (ITAs) in a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) specific draw. Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 691.

In a PNP specific draw, candidates are already in the Express Entry pool but have also received a nomination from a Canadian province. This is the fourth PNP specific draw of 2023. The last one occurred on March 1 and invited 667 candidates. All draws since then have considered candidates from all Express Entry programs.

Proof of funds updated

On May 2, IRCC announced that that the amount of money that Express Entry applicants must have access to in Canada has changed. All Express Entry candidates must show proof of funds to demonstrate that they have enough money to settle in Canada.

Proof of funds is not required for candidates in the Canadian Experience Class or for Express Entry candidates who are authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer. This is true even for those who apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

To stay eligible for Express Entry, candidates must now update their profiles to reflect that they still have the required amount of settlement funds.

IRCC updates the amount yearly. It is based on 50% of the low-income cut-off totals and varies depending on how many people a candidate must be able to support.

Express Entry so far in 2023

This draw follows the April 26 draw in which 3,500 candidates were invited with CRS scores of 483. IRCC also invited 3,500 candidates on April 12 with CRS scores of 486. This number of candidates per draw is half of what was seen over March when IRCC invited more than 21,000 candidates over four consecutive draws, three of which invited 7,000 candidates.

The total number of candidates invited in March was the second highest in Express Entry history. It is only exceeded by a draw in February 2021 in which 27,332 CEC candidates received an ITA.

April also marks a tentative return to a normal draw schedule. Typically, until late 2022 and throughout March 2023, Express Entry draws occur every second week on Wednesdays. Draws occurred weekly throughout March.

The March and April draws also showed a return to typical all-program draws. Throughout January and February this year, most draws were program specific for the Provincial Nominee Program. However, on February 2, IRCC held the first-ever program-specific draw for the Federal Skilled Workers Program.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a total of 3,500 invitations to apply (ITAs) on 26th April to candidates in an all-program draw. Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 483. In an all program draw candidates are considered from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

This draw follows the one on April 12 in which 3,500 candidates received invitations to apply (ITAs) in an all-program draw. Those candidates needed a minimum CRS score of at least 486.

The April 12 draw invited just half the number of candidates that were invited in the draws on March 15, March 23 and March 29, all of which invited 7,000 candidates each over two weeks instead of the typical bi-weekly draws. It also raised the minimum CRS score from 481 to 486. The draw size and higher CRS score are more in line with previous draws seen in 2022 and early 2023.

March milestones in Express Entry

March this year saw over 21,000 ITAs issued in a single month. This was the second-highest number of ITAs issued in the history of Express Entry.

The highest number of ITAs issued in a month was when 27,332 CEC candidates were invited in a single draw in February 2021.

That said, the first draw in March for 7,000 candidates was the largest-ever all-program draw. The following two draws repeated this number for a total of 21,000 candidates invited in two weeks and a monthly total of 21,667 ITAs issued. The remaining 667 ITAs were issued in a March 1 draw that targeted only Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates.

In total, there were four Express Entry draws in March, one each week. This is unusual because draws typically only occur every two weeks on Wednesdays.

The Express Entry – All Program draw which took place yesterday(29th March) had the lowest CRS score requirement for an all-program draw since the December 23, 2020 Express Entry draw (back then, the score was 468). Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a total of 7,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence in this draw. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score was 481. IRCC has invited a total of 21,000 candidates over the past two weeks.

Express Entry is the main way the Canadian government manages economic class immigration candidates. Those eligible for at least one of the three Express Entry programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), are able to upload their profile onto IRCC’s website.

They receive a CRS score based on a variety of human capital criteria, such as their age, education, language skills, and work experience. Generally, IRCC holds Express Entry draws every two weeks and issues ITAs to the highest-scoring candidates.

In recent months, however, IRCC has not stuck to a predictable draw schedule.

For example, it held two draws in consecutive weeks, on March 15 and March 23, which were tied for the largest all-program draws ever.

A total of 7,000 Express Entry candidates were invited under each of these draws (14,000 candidates in total).

An all-program draw is when IRCC considers issuing ITAs to candidates from all three Express Entry programs.

They are distinguished from program-specific draws, in which IRCC will only consider candidates from one program.

Once a candidate receives an ITA, they have up to 60 days to submit a completed permanent residence application to IRCC.

IRCC aims to process these applications within six months. If a candidate’s application is approved, they can land in Canada as a permanent resident.

Under the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025, which guides the operations of Canada’s immigration system, IRCC is aiming to welcome nearly 83,000 immigrants via Express Entry this year.

The target will rise to 109,000 in 2024, and 114,000 in 2025.

Since last year, Canada has made the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) its leading economic class immigration pathway.

Most of Canada’s provinces and territories operate their own PNP, which enables them to identify (or “nominate”) candidates that meet their economy’s needs.

Canada’s PNP admissions target is nearly 106,000 immigrants in 2023, 110,000 in 2024, and nearly 118,000 in 2025.

In recent weeks, a number of provinces have announced what their new PNP allocations will be.

Canada’s largest province, Ontario, for example, will now be able to nominate up to 18,000 immigrants in 2025.

A portion of the PNP operates through Express Entry.

This means if a candidate is eligible for one of the three Express Entry programs (the FSWP, CEC, or FSTP), they can enter the Express Entry pool, and then receive an invitation from a province or territory to apply to their PNP.

The benefit of this approach, known as enhanced provincial nominations, is those approved under a PNP stream then gain an additional 600 CRS points.

These extra points virtually guarantee the candidate that they will receive an ITA for permanent residence.

Canada has been experiencing a boom in newcomer arrivals in recent years as the country looks to welcome more permanent and temporary residents to support its economy following the coronavirus pandemic.

Last year, Canada’s population grew by more than one million people for the first time in the country’s history. Permanent and temporary residents accounted for over 95 per cent of this growth.