The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has invited candidates for the 13th Express Entry draw of 2023.
The draw is open to all three programs managed by the Express Entry application management system: The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
Candidates must have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 488 to be considered for the draw. This is the first all-program draw since April 26.
This draw follows the most recent draw on May 10, where 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 Draws 2023
Throughout 2023, Express Entry has yet to establish a consistent pattern in terms of the number of candidates invited, the frequency of draws, or the specific type of draw.
In January, the draws followed the pattern seen before the pandemic, occurring every two weeks and inviting candidates from all programs. However, this changed in February when the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted four program-specific draws between February 1 and March 1. Notably, February marked the first program-specific draw for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).
February witnessed three draws, and March saw one draw each week. Overall, more than 21,000 candidates received invitations throughout March, making it the second-highest number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued in a single month in the history of Express Entry.
In April, the draw schedule returned to the pre-pandemic pattern of one all-program draw every two weeks.
Later in the year, it is anticipated that the IRCC will start conducting draws targeting Express Entry candidates based on specific attributes rather than solely relying on high Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores. This became possible when Bill C-19 received Royal Assent in June 2022.
The passing of this bill grants the Canadian immigration minister the authority to invite candidates who can best contribute to Canada’s economic goals by addressing the chronic labor shortages in specific sectors.
It’s important to note that Express Entry draws are entirely discretionary, determined by the IRCC and the immigration minister. As per the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, there are no set rules dictating the timing of draws, the program from which candidates will be selected, the number of candidates invited, or the minimum CRS cut-off score. In other words, the IRCC is not obligated to follow a specific pattern or conduct draws at all if the minister deems it unnecessary.
Know more about Express Entry
The oversight of three Canadian economic immigration programs, namely the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class, falls under the management of the Express Entry application system.
Within these programs, candidates undergo evaluation through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS assesses various human capital factors such as language proficiency, education, work experience, occupation, and age. Based on these criteria, candidates are assigned scores, and those with the highest scores have a greater likelihood of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residency.
As per the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025, Canada aims to welcome more than 82,000 new permanent residents through the Federal High Skilled immigration program (Express Entry) by the conclusion of 2023.
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