Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted an Express Entry draw on 6 December, issuing 4,750 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). This was an all-program draw. To be eligible, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 561. This draw marks the first Express Entry draw since October 26. An issue with the Express Entry Profile Builder was reported on November 14, causing some applicants difficulties in submitting their applications. However, on November 16, IRCC confirmed the resolution of the issue. Hereon draws are expected to happen uninterruptedly.
In the previous Express Entry draw on October 26, 3,600 candidates received ITAs in a category-based selection draw focusing healthcare-related occupations, with a minimum CRS score of 431. Additionally, there were two more draws in the same week. On October 25, 300 candidates were invited in a category-based selection draw for French-speaking proficiency, requiring a minimum CRS score of 486. On October 24, 1,548 candidates received invitations in a Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)-only draw, with a minimum score of 776. Express Entry candidates nominated through PNP-specific draws receives, automatically & immediately, an additional 600 CRS points, resulting in a higher minimum CRS for this type of draw.
A chart showing Cut-off CRS score for the last 10 EE draws
The chart is self-explanatory. It illustrates a noticeable pattern in the recent Express Entry draws conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and this trend has been received with enthusiasm. There has been a decrease in the cut-off Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, in each separate category, resulting in a higher number of Invitations to Apply (ITA) being issued to eligible candidates.
This adjustment has been made to ensure that IRCC achieves its multi-year immigration target for 2023-25, aiming to welcome over 500,000 new immigrants by the end of 2023
Category-based selection in Express Entry refers to the practice of holding rounds of invitations that specifically target candidates with certain attributes or qualifications. These attributes could include proficiency in the French language or work experience in specific occupations facing shortages. In the context mentioned, the categories include:
French-Language Proficiency: Candidates demonstrating proficiency in the French language.
Occupation-Specific Draws: Candidates with work experience in five key occupations facing shortages:
The rationale behind Category-based EE Selection is to address labour shortages in critical sectors of the Canadian economy. Canada aims to welcome more skilled workers to alleviate these shortages, especially considering the anticipated retirement of up to nine million Canadians by 2030. The Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, emphasizes the importance of skilled immigration in eliminating these shortages.
Despite high immigration targets, there has been a reported slowdown in Express Entry draws since the implementation of category-based draws. An IT glitch at the launch of these new categories led to a reduction in the number of draws. The Deputy Immigration Minister, Christiane Fox, assures that the department plans to make up for the numbers in subsequent draws. Additionally, a category-based draw for skilled trades professionals is expected to take place by December of the current year.
Since the initiation of category-based draws in June, Canada has invited candidates through this selection method 12 times, resulting in over 11,000 additional Invitations to Apply (ITAs). It's important to note that all candidates invited through category-based draws were already in the Express Entry pool.
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