A chart depicting the CRS cut-off scores for the last 10 EE draws
The chart 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 (ITAs) 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.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted the fourth Express Entry draw of the week, issuing invitations to apply (ITAs). In this specific draw, 400 candidates were invited to apply under the category-based selection stream, focusing on individuals in agriculture and agri-food occupations. To qualify for an ITA, candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 386.
These are the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes that are in demand in Agriculture and Agri-food occupations sectors:
Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance, and horticulture services – 82031
Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors – 82030
Butchers- retail and wholesale – 63201
This draw follows three previous draws (earlier in the week), starting on December 18 with an all-program draw that invited 1,325 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 542. On December 19, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 1,000 candidates in the second category-based draw for trades occupations this year, with a minimum CRS score requirement of 425.
These are the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes that are in demand in the Trades occupations sectors:
Carpenters – 72310
Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics – 72400
Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers, and servicers – 72014
Electricians (except industrial and power system) – 72200
Elevator constructors and mechanics – 72406
The third draw, on December 20, saw Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issuing invitations to 670 candidates in a category-based selection draw for transport occupations, with a minimum CRS score requirement of 435. The targeted approach involves recognizing and inviting candidates with substantial expertise in the transportation sector, encompassing a range of positions such as commercial truck drivers, pilots, and aircraft assembly workers. Canada aims to streamline the entry of highly skilled professionals into this vital industry at a national level by establishing a specialized category for transportation occupations.
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 the 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.
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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