This draw, the first in June, follows the most recent draw on May 24, where 4,800 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 488 were invited in an all-program draw. This score is higher than the April 26 all-program draw, which had a minimum CRS score requirement of 483.
New Category-Based Selection Criteria
On May 31, IRCC issued a news release stating that the department has established six new category-based selection criteria for Express Entry candidates. These new categories target candidates with specific attributes that support Canada’s economic goals. Five categories are for those with work experience in healthcare, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions, trades such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors, transport, agriculture, and agri-food. The final category is for candidates with solid French-speaking abilities.
IRCC expects to begin holding category-based draws this summer but has yet to provide an exact date. Candidates hoping to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the targeted draws must be in the Express Entry pool. IRCC will continue to rank Express Entry candidates who meet the category requirements and then issue ITAs to those with the highest scores.
Express Entry in 2023
IRCC has invited 49,948 candidates over 13 draws in 2023, excluding the current draw. This is significantly more candidates than were invited between July-November in 2022. IRCC held all-program draws in July 2022 following a pause related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
About Express Entry
The Express Entry application management system, was established in 2015 to help IRCC target high-skilled economic immigration candidates for permanent residence. The system uses the Comprehensive Ranking System to evaluate candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. It considers a candidate’s work experience, occupation, language ability, education, age, and other transferable factors. Candidates with the highest CRS score are the most likely to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Later this year, IRCC is expected to begin moving away from placing the most emphasis on a high CRS score and instead start targeting candidates based on any specific attribute deemed to be in demand in Canada’s economy.
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