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Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued invitations to apply (ITAs) to 7,000 candidates in an all-program draw, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 484. An all-program draw means candidates are considered from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

This draw size ties the largest-ever all-program draw on March 15, in which 7,000 candidates were also invited. Candidates in that draw had a minimum CRS score of 490. The previous record-high all-program draw came when IRCC invited 5,500 candidates on January 18.

The draw is surprising because it marks the second-consecutive week IRCC has invited Express Entry candidates. Usually, Express Entry draws are bi-weekly. In addition to it being tied for the largest all-program draw ever, the 7,000 ITAs marks the second-largest Express Entry draw size of all-time, behind the record-setting CEC-only draw that took place in February 2021.

Express Entry draws early in 2023 focused largely on candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). There have been four PNP-only Express Entry draws so far this year, most recently on March 1, when 667 PNP candidates were invited. Before this, there were three other PNP draws and one that targeted candidates in the Federal Skilled Worker Program on February 2. However, it appears that IRCC is now back to its regular procedure of considering all candidates in the Express Entry pool.

Immigration ministers endorse multi-year PNP levels plan

In a recent meeting of the Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration (FMRI), provincial immigration ministers met to discuss common issues and methods to attract and retain more newcomers.

One outcome of the meeting was to endorse the first multi-year provincial immigration plan. This will work similarly to the federal Immigration Levels Plan that outlines immigration targets for three years. The provinces will now know their allocation of provincial nominations in advance and will be able to plan accordingly in terms of housing and infrastructure requirements to better support newcomers and retain them.

After the meeting, some provinces have announced an increase in PNP allocations for this year over 2022. For example, Canada’s largest province, Ontario, will see their allocation rise to 18,000 spots in 2025. Manitoba’s allocation for 2023 has increased by 3,175 spaces over 2022 to 9,500 and Saskatchewan will see an allocation of 7,250 nominees in 2023, increasing to 8,500 in 2025.

Alberta will also see a significant increase in allocations for 2023, up to 9,750 from the 6,500 spaces in 2022. Like Saskatchewan, allocations will continue to increase over the next two years and go as high as 10,849 by 2025. Other provinces have yet to release data on their expected number of PNP allocations.

Express Entry candidates can increase their chances of receiving an ITA by obtaining a provincial nomination (a process known as enhanced nomination). Being nominated by a province as an Express Entry candidate automatically adds 600 points to a CRS score which essentially guarantees the candidate will get an ITA for permanent residence.

Economic immigration candidates who are not in an Express Entry program can still be nominated by a province (base nomination). This can also strengthen a candidate’s application for permanent residency.

IRCC offers another PGWP extension

Last week, IRCC offered a reprieve to many Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders interested in gaining permanent residence. Due to the recent irregular nature of Express Entry draws, which have hurt PGWP holders eligible under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced PGWP holders will get an 18-month Open Work Permit extension which they will be able to apply for on IRCC’s website beginning April 6. This means even more PGWP holders will be able to continue to vie for Express Entry ITAs. IRCC notes there were some 286,000 PGWP holders in Canada at the end of 2022.

IRCC held the seventh Express Entry draw of 2023 on 15th March 2023 and issued invitations to 7,000 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 490.

The number of 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).

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.

Prior to 2023, all Express Entry draws between July and November 2022 were all-program draws that invited over 1,000 candidates each time and grew as the minimum CRS score decreased.

IRCC releases 2021 Express Entry data

A recently released report from IRCC summarizes Express Entry data for 2021, which 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.

Overall, there were 114,431 ITAs issued in 2021. 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 Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) candidates.

Over half, 64%, of ITAs were issued to recipients between the ages of 20-29 years. Under the Comprehensive Ranking System, candidates in this age range receive 100 CRS points. Candidates receive fewer points after they turn 30.

Because of the pauses, the majority of ITAs were issued to candidates who were already living in Canada as temporary residents. However, there were still some ITAs issued to candidates living abroad. The top five nationalities were :-

• Canada: 102,806 ITAs issued
• India: 3,826 ITAs issued
• Nigeria: 1,432 ITAs issued
• USA: 806 ITAs issued
• People’s Republic of China: 687 ITAs issued

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted fourth program-specific draw of 2023 on 15th February, in this PNP-only draw 667 candidates were issued invitations with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 748.

Three of the program-specific draws have been for the PNP while one has been for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).

Since the beginning of 2023, IRCC has held only two all program draws, meaning draws in which candidates from all three Express Entry managed programs were invited based on their minimum CRS score. Those draws each invited 5,000 candidates and were held one week apart on January 11 and 18.

IRCC then waited two weeks for the next draw, which was the first PNP-only draw since June 2022. On the following day, IRCC held another draw, inviting 3,300 candidates from only the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). This was the first time since Express Entry began in 2015 that IRCC has held a FSWP-only draw. The FSWP is one of the most prominent Express Entry programs and open to candidates overseas who meet the work experience, language and educational experience requirements.

Express Entry draws are totally at the discretion of the immigration minister and IRCC. There is no law in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that dictates when draws will occur, the number of candidates or the minimum CRS cut-off score.

IRCC launches application tracker for Express Entry programs

On February 8, IRCC announced that candidates in the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) will now be able to monitor their applications online. It will also apply to candidates in Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

These status trackers will allow clients to monitor their application and stay informed on any updates regarding actions that may be required to keep their file moving. Data from January 31 shows 47,868 applicants for Express Entry programs waiting in the queue and 66,214 for PNPs.

IRCC has introduced these trackers as a way to increase transparency and improve access to information. Last year, an identical system was introduced for family class permanent residence applicants, sponsors and their representatives.

IRCC held the fifth Express Entry draw of 2023 on 15th February 2023. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued invitations to 699 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 791.

The draw was only applicable to candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program. This was the third program-specific draw of 2023 following the results on February 1 and February 2. The February 1 draw invited only candidates who had already received provincial nomination and the February 2 draw was program specific for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).

Draw pattern has yet to be established for 2023.Usually, Express Entry draws occur every two weeks on Wednesday. However, draws so far in 2023 have varied significantly from the patterns established before the COVID-19 pandemic and in the latter half of 2022.

Since the first Express Entry draw of this year on January 11, there have been some notable differences in how draws are conducted. For example, the January 11 draw took place after an unexpected six pause, IRCC has implied that this was due to an IT system glitch caused by the implementation of NOC 2021.

The next draw took place on January 18, only a week later. The number of ITAs issued was the same as January 11 but with a significantly lower CRS score.

IRCC did wait two weeks for the next draw on February 1 which occurred as expected. However, this draw was unique in that it was not an all-program draw. Candidates were only issued ITAs if they had already received a nomination under a Provincial Nominee Program. IRCC had not had a PNP only draw since June 2022. At this point, IRCC resumed all-program draws, which had been paused between January 2021 and July 2022 due to pandemic restrictions and border closures.

The most recent draw was the next day on February 2, when IRCC issued invitations to candidates in the FSWP. This was significant because there has never been a FSWP only draw since Express Entry began in 2015. The FSWP is one of the most prominent immigration pathways under Express Entry.

Express Entry draws are totally at the discretion of the immigration minister and IRCC. There is no law in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that dictates when draws will occur, the number of candidates or the minimum CRS cut-off score. Theoretically, draws could take place daily or once every several months if the minister deems that it is best way for Canada to meet its economic priorities.

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that they are expanding online application status trackers to four new categories. These status trackers will allow applicants to monitor their application and stay informed on any updates regarding actions that may be required to keep their file moving.

The new status trackers are for Express Entry candidates in Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program are two of the most prominent economic immigration pathways for newcomers. Canada is looking to welcome nearly 190,000 immigrants via the two pathways combined this year. This figure is set to rise to over 230,000 immigrants in 2025.

The most recent data from IRCC shows 47,868 applicants for Express Entry programs waiting in the queue as of January 31 and 66,214 for PNPs.

Status trackers are meant to increase transparency by providing clients with direct access to information more efficiently than if they contacted IRCC through another channel.

The new online status trackers mark another effort by IRCC to reduce wait times and improve access information. The department says it is part of the ministry’s commitment to increase transparency and that application status tracking will be available for more types of applications in the coming months.

This is the latest event in IRCC’s strategy to digitize and will make it easier for applicants to access their information. Exactly one year ago, IRCC created status trackers for family class permanent residence applicants, sponsors, and their representatives to check their application status online more easily.

 

IRCC’s efforts to digitize

Last September, IRCC announced that it would begin the transition to 100% digital applications for most permanent residence programs. Between September and October 2022, the department has made it possible to apply online for:

• Provincial nominee program (non-Express Entry)
• Quebec-selected skilled workers
• Sponsoring a spouse or partner
• Sponsoring a dependent child
• Sponsoring an eligible relative
• Sponsoring an orphaned sibling, niece or nephew, or grandchild
• Adopting a child through the immigration process
• Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

This is in addition to other economic immigration programs such as the temporary resident permit holders applying for permanent residence, the Atlantic Immigration Program and several Quebec immigration programs including

• Quebec-selected investors
• Quebec-selected entrepreneurs
• Self-employed people (Quebec)

IRCC has already made much of the process for applying for citizenship digital. Currently, permanent residents over 18 can complete their citizenship application online, including if they are applying as a couple or as a family of adults.

Minors under 18 must still apply on paper and a family applies with children under 18, the whole family needs to apply on paper.

 

Canada held the second Express Entry draw of the year on 18th January. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued invitations to 5,500 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 490. No program was specified, meaning eligible candidates were invited from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). All are programs that operate under the Express Entry system.

The draw was a surprise as it marked the second Express Entry round of invitations in consecutive weeks. IRCC had just held a draw last Wednesday January 11 in which it also invited 5,500 candidates. The CRS cut-off for last week’s draw was 507, meaning the CRS cut off score has dropped 17 points between draws. IRCC initially reported the score as 507 for this draw as well but it has since been updated to the correct score of 490. Last week’s draw marked the first since the November 23, 2022 draw. Express Entry draws tend to occur approximately every two weeks, usually on Wednesday. IRCC has not provided explanation on why there was a pause in draws over this period.

Nonetheless, the fact that draws have taken place in successive weeks to start 2023 indicate IRCC’s desire to land more skilled immigrants in Canada this year. The 11,000 ITAs already issued mark the fastest start to Express Entry since it was launched in 2015, eclipsing the previous record of 10,000 ITAs that were issued in January 2021.

Express Entry has a service standard of providing permanent residence to most successful candidates in just six months, which is the fastest service standard among all of Canada’s over 100 different skilled immigration pathways.

The fast start to the year for Express Entry is part of what is likely to be an eventful year for IRCC’s main skilled immigration pathway.

IRCC developing categories for targeted Express Entry draws

Since Bill C-19 received royal assent last June, IRCC has been working to create new draw categories for candidates in Express Entry programs. This is a major departure from the current method of inviting candidates based solely on a high score within the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

In its most recent step, IRCC completed a round of consultations with the public and stakeholders to better understand Canada’s most acute shortages of skilled workers.

Regardless of the category, all candidates must be eligible to apply under the existing Express Entry application management system.

Once categories are decided on by the Minister, they will be announced before invitations are issued.

Possible categories for targeted draws

The categories will be based on candidate’s attributes such as their occupation, work experience, education, and language abilities. The immigration minister says this will support Canada’s economic priorities by inviting candidates who are better placed to fill urgent gaps in Canada’s labour force.

Draws may take place to target Express Entry candidates who have specific work experience that is relevant to an in-demand sector of the workforce.

There is also the possibility that IRCC will create categories to help international students in Canada become permanent residents through Express Entry, particularly if the student has obtained a degree or diploma for an in-demand field from a Designated Learning Institution.

Temporary residents are being considered as a category for similar reasons. Those who have previous temporary Canadian work experience have been found to have better labour market integration and are well-equipped to transfer their skills when needed.

Skilled, French-speaking immigrants may also have an advantage in receiving an ITA as the government seeks to deliver on its mandate to strengthen Canada’s bilingual character, as well as fill labour gaps in communities where speaking French is necessary for an occupation.

Canada held its first Express Entry draw of the year yesterday, and the first since November 23. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued invitations to 5,500 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 507. Eligible candidates were invited from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). All are programs that operate under the Express Entry system.

This draw marks an increase in the number of ITAs issued, and is the largest all-program Express Entry draw since they resumed last July. There were 750 additional invitations over the November 23 draw, which invited 4,750 candidates, as well as a higher CRS score than has been seen since the draw on September 28.

Express Entry in 2022

Last year was a unique year for Express Entry. Ministerial instructions show that over the 23 draws in 2022, there were 46,538 ITAs issued to Express Entry candidates. This number includes draws between January and July, which were exclusively for candidates in Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). All-program Express Entry draws were paused for over 18 months starting in December 2020. The pause was due to a backlog in applications caused by COVID-19 related travel restrictions. During this period, only candidates from the CEC or PNP were issued invitations to apply (ITAs). However, in September 2021, IRCC also paused draws for the CEC.The total ITAs for just all-program draws, which began in July and spanned the rest of the year, was 35,750.

The last Express Entry draw saw the lowest minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score at 491.

Express Entry getting ready for changes

In the second half of 2022, IRCC set the stage for changes to be expected in Express Entry in 2023. For example, in November, IRCC implemented NOC 2021, an updated take on NOC 2016.  The National Occupation Classification (NOC) system is used to determine an Express Entry candidate’s profession and skill level.

IRCC moved from categorizing skills as 0-D level to a system based on training, education, experience and responsibilities (TEER). The new TEER system has revised NOC 2016’s skill levels 0-E and created an equivalent five TEERS. Under NOC 2021, 16 new occupations are now eligible to apply for economic immigration programs managed by Express Entry, such as the FSWP or CEC.

Candidates who have a profile already submitted to the IRCC Express Entry pool were invited to switch their NOCs to the new NOC 2021 independently. The update must be done for each position (job) included in their IRCC profile. Failure to do so will disqualify candidates from receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Canada will also increase the number of candidates invited through Express Entry programs, based on the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025 released on November 1. In 2023, 82,880 immigrants will be admitted to Canada as permanent residents through Express Entry. This will increase to 109,020 in 2024 and 114,000 in 2025, or approximately one-fifth of Canada’s total permanent resident admissions goals. These higher targets emphasize the importance Canada places on economic immigration in the face of an ongoing labour shortage. Immigration accounts for as much as 90% of labour force growth in Canada and approximately 75% of population growth.

IRCC issued invitations to 3,750 candidates with minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 504. As this was an all-program draw, invitations were issued to eligible candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), all programs that operate under the Express Entry system.

This draw is the third in a row in which there was an increase of 500 invitations issued over the previous draw. The September 14 draw invited 3,250 candidates and the August 31 draw invited 2,750. It is also the lowest minimum CRS since all-program draws resumed. CRS scores have been decreasing in increments from 557 on July 6. Over the first five draws, scores decreased by eight or nine points for each draw. The September 14 draw saw a decrease of only six points and this week’s draw was the same.

Express Entry all-program draws were paused for over 18 months starting in December 2020 due to a backlog in applications caused COVID-19 related travel restrictions. During the pause, only candidates from the CEC or Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) were issued invitations to apply. In September 2021, IRCC also paused draws for the CEC.

Backlog is decreasing

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently released data that says the backlog for all applications has decreased from 2.7 million to 2.6 between July and August 31. This includes a dent in the number of Express Entry applications that are waiting to be processed. In late July, there were 51,616 persons in the Express Entry inventory. As of Aug 31, that number has reduced to 40,180, a decrease of over 10,000 applications in approximately six weeks.

Over half the applications currently in the inventory are from applicants in the PNPs. This is notable because several PNPs are aligned with Express Entry programs, known as enhanced nominations. According to IRCC, the backlog of applications under enhanced PNPs has decreased. However, there was an increase in applications for PNPs in which candidates apply directly to a provincial government (base PNPs).

So far in 2022, Canada has issued invitations to 28,039 immigrants through Express Entry programs. This is part of the Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024 in which Canada is targeting some 432,000 new immigrants by the end of this year. So far, it appears Canada is on track to hit this target as over 300,000 newcomers, across all lines of business, have been welcomed.

Job vacancies at an all-time high

Canada’s high immigration targets, including those through Express Entry programs, stem from several factors including a job vacancy rate that currently stands at 5.7%. There is also notable shortage of skilled workers that will be further increased as the largest demographic of working age Canadians, baby boomers, reaches the retirement age of 65 in the coming decade.

As a response to the labour shortage, Express Entry will be changing in 2023. IRCC will soon have the authority to issue ITAs to candidates with specific work experience, education or language abilities that are well-positioned to support Canada’s economy and labour force. This change will impact the importance of high a CRS for candidates as there may be targeted draws that weigh other factors more heavily.

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 3,250 invitations to apply in the most recent Express Entry draw which took place on 14th September. The minimum cut off Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 511. There was no program specified for the draw, meaning that invitations were issued to candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

Until the last draw on August 31, the number of candidates receiving ITAs grew by 250 with each draw. Last week saw a marked increase of 500 ITAs and latest draw is a continuation of that trend. There has also been a gradual decline in the minimum CRS score, which has lost between eight or nine points each draw. However, this draw is different as there was only a five-point decrease. The minimum CRS score in the July 6 draw was 557.

Canada is on track to welcome nearly 432,000 immigrants

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser has recently said that by the end of 2022 Canada will break its current record of 405,330 new immigrants in a year. As of the end of June, Canada has already welcomed over 300,000 new permanent residents in 2022.

So far this year Canada has welcomed 40,785 immigrants through Express Entry. It is possible that if immigration continues at its current speed, Canada could even exceed the 2022 Immigration Levels Plan target of  nearly 432,000.

To facilitate these numbers, IRCC has undertaken measures such as making the application process 100% digital as well as hiring an additional 1,250 new staff members.

Canada continues to push for more immigration as it tries to cope with a historically low unemployment rate as well as over one million job vacancies. The increased amount of retirement over the next decade, combined with a low birth rate, means Canada is not able to support the labour force or economy without immigration.

Changes coming in 2023

To better target gaps in the labour force, IRCC plans to make a major change to Express Entry in 2023. Most notably, these changes would give the department authority to issue ITAs to individuals with specific work experience, education, or language ability. It could be any candidate from groups they believe will be well-positioned to support Canada’s economy and labour force. This will have an impact on the relevance of CRS scores in some instances and they may become less vital in some future draws.

IRCC issued 2,750 invitations to apply (ITA) and the Comprehensive Ranking System score (CRS) cut-off was 516. There was no program specified for this draw which means that candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) were eligible to be invited.

IRCC paused all-program Express Entry draws for over 18 months, starting in December 2020. During this time, only candidates eligible for permanent residence under the CEC or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) were invited to apply. However, CEC draws were also paused in September 2021.

The pause of the draws was in response to an overwhelming number of permanent residence applications submitted while the global COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing. During this time Canada’s border closed and travel regulations changed frequently.

This draw marks the largest increase in ITA’s, up by 500, since all-program draws resumed on July 6. Until today’s draw, the number of candidates receiving ITAs has been growing by exactly 250 with each draw. For example, the first July draw invited 1,500 candidates, the second 1,750 and so on. There has also been a gradual decline in the minimum CRS score, which has lost between eight or nine points each draw. The initial minimum CRS score was 557.

What Future Holds For Canada Immigration

IRCC aims to make a major change to Express Entry in 2023 that would provide the department with authority to issue ITAs that target individuals with specific work experience, education, or language ability groups it believes will be well-positioned to support Canada’s economy and labour force. This means that CRS scores could become less vital in some future draws.

In June, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser explained the rationale for this proposal while on stage at Collision, a technology conference, stating “If we can project skills that are needed over the next 20 to 30 years, we can bring people who can hit the ground running and make a major economic impact.”