In a significant development, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently conducted the latest Express Entry draw of 2023, extending invitations to a total of 1,500 deserving candidates. This draw stands out as the very first targeted category-based draw specifically tailored for candidates in the trades industry. The date of this draw was the 3rd of August, and candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 388 or above were granted the opportunity to apply.

Notably, on the 1st of August, IRCC had already unveiled its plans for the inaugural targeted draw aimed at candidates with valuable experience in trades professions under the Express Entry category-based selection system. This category encompasses various crucial trades such as carpentry, plumbing, and welding, which play a pivotal role in bolstering Canada's construction sector.

This strategic move by IRCC is expected to attract more skilled workers to contribute their expertise to the thriving Canadian construction industry, further enhancing the nation's economic growth and development.

Overview of the most recent Express Entry results

August 2nd

On August 2nd, IRCC conducted a category-based Express Entry draw for candidates with French proficiency, granting 800 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible individuals. To qualify for this category, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 435. This draw followed a previous targeted draw for French speakers that occurred on July 12th.

August 1st

On August 1st, IRCC resumed all-program Express Entry draws and extended invitations to 2,000 candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The minimum CRS score required in this round was 517. This date marked the first all-program Express Entry draw since July 11th.

July 11-12

On July 11th and 12th, IRCC invited 3,800 candidates to apply for permanent residency through a category-based selection draw for French-speaking candidates. The minimum CRS score required for this draw was 375, the lowest CRS score for any Express Entry draw this year by a significant margin.

July 4-7

During the first full week of July, a noteworthy milestone occurred in the history of Express Entry, as consecutive ITAs were issued on four consecutive days.

On July 4, an unexpected all-program draw took place, inviting 700 candidates with a demanding minimum CRS score of 511, which stands as the highest CRS score for any all-program draw in 2023 thus far.

On July 5, IRCC conducted a previously announced category-based selection draw exclusively for candidates with work experience in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) occupations. This was the first draw for STEM candidates since the category-based selection criteria were introduced on May 31. The draw granted ITAs to 500 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 486.

The following day, July 6, saw another anticipated draw as IRCC extended invitations to 1,500 candidates in the healthcare professionals category-based selection draw. The minimum CRS score for this round was 463. This marked the second round of invitations for this specific category.

Lastly, on July 7, a substantial 2,300 ITAs were issued to Express Entry candidates possessing strong French-speaking abilities. The minimum CRS score required for this category-based selection draw was 439. It's important to note that French-speaking abilities is the only category-based selection criteria not tied to a specific occupation.

June 27-28

In the last week of June, IRCC held two draws with notable outcomes. The first draw occurred on June 27, where an all-program draw invited 4,300 candidates, each having a minimum CRS score of 486.

On the following day, June 28, a significant milestone was reached with the introduction of the first-ever category-based selection round of invitations. IRCC invited 500 candidates with work experience in select healthcare occupations, setting the minimum CRS score at 476.

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry serves as an application management system overseeing the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Candidates in the Express Entry pool are evaluated based on various human capital factors, including work experience, occupation, language ability, education, and age. They are assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System score, which determines their ranking among other candidates in the pool. Those with the highest scores are more likely to receive invitations to apply.

On May 31, IRCC introduced new category-based selection criteria, placing more emphasis on specific attributes rather than solely relying on a high CRS score. The six new categories for Express Entry candidates include Healthcare, Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions, Trades, Transport, Agriculture and agri-food, and Strong French-language proficiency. These categories were designed to address immediate labor market needs in Canada and to promote the French language outside of Quebec.

For more information regarding immigration and express entry please contact Round World Immigration