Canada’s Express Entry draws resume after a brief pause, with the first draw since October 2023. The latest Express Entry draw issued ITAs to 4,750 candidates in an all-program draw. This draw occurred after the last one, on October 26, 2023. Meanwhile, the minimum score under the Comprehensive Ranking System was 561.
In addition, some candidates also reported a technical glitch through a tweet on November 14. They stated the problem using the profile builder of Express Entry and their inability to submit their application.
Later, on November 16, IRCC reverted to the tweet informing them that they had successfully resolved the technical issue. However, whether the pause was due to this technical glitch, or some other reason is still uncertain.
Previously, on October 26, 3,600 candidates received ITAs in a healthcare occupation draw under the Express Entry category-based selection. Candidates had to display a minimum CRS score of 431.
In addition, two other draws also occurred in the same week. On October 25, candidates received 300 ITAs in an Express Entry category-based draw for those who display strong French skills. The minimum CRS score requirement is 486.
The rest of the Express Entry draw occurred on October 24. IRCC issued ITAs to 1,548 candidates in a PNP-specific draw. The lowest CRS score requirement was 776. Express Entry candidates who receive nominations through the Provincial Nominee Program acquire an extra 600 points. Furthermore, this leads to a higher minimum CRS draw type.
Canada’s Express Entry draws resume after a brief pause – summary of all draws since June this year
| Date | Program Type | ITAs Issued | Lowest CRS Score |
| June 8 | All-program | 4,800 | 486 |
| June 27 | All-program | 4,300 | 486 |
| June 28 | Healthcare occupations | 500 | 476 |
| July 4 | All-program | 700 | 511 |
| July 5 | STEM occupations | 500 | 486 |
| July 6 | Healthcare occupations | 1500 | 463 |
| July 7 | French language proficiency | 2,300 | 439 |
| July 11 | All-program | 800 | 505 |
| July 12 | French language proficiency | 3,800 | 375 |
| August 1 | All-program | 2,000 | 517 |
| August 2 | French language proficiency | 800 | 435 |
| August 3 | Trade occupations | 1,500 | 388 |
| August 15 | All-program | 4,300 | 496 |
| September 19 | All-Program | 3,200 | 531 |
| September 20 | Transport Occupations | 1,000 | 435 |
| September 26 | All-Program | 3,000 | 504 |
| September 27 | French Language Proficiency | 500 | 472 |
| September 28 | Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations | 600 | 354 |
| October 10 | All-Program Draw | 3,725 | 500 |
| October 24 | PNP-only | 1,548 | 776 |
| October 25 | French language proficiency | 300 | 486 |
| October 26 | Healthcare occupations | 3,600 | 431 |
| December 6 | All-Program Draw | 4,750 | 561 |
Express Entry Category-based selection draw
In May 2023, Express Entry Category-based selection draws started the invitation rounds. These draws focus on Express Entry candidates with certain characteristics. These could be their strong French-language skills and considerable work experience in any of the following five professions:
- STEM occupations;
- Trades;
- Transport;
- Healthcare; and
- Agriculture and Agri-Food
All the above professions are undergoing an acute labor shortage and, hence, need skilled workers. The shortages emphasize Canada’s economy and other chief industries, including the healthcare sector and the supply chain.
Marc Miller, Canada’s immigration minister, states that increasing the number of skilled workers will eventually help reduce these shortages. This is true, as 9 million Canadians will retire by 2030. The immigration-level plan 2023-2025 states that Canada will witness admissions by 2025 under Express Entry’s Federal High-Skilled immigration. The number will be nearly 114,000, and the new Levels Plan usually occurs officially on November 1.
The latest Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026 states that the new PR admission target will remain steady at 500,000 annually until the end of 2025.
The first Express Entry Category-based draw occurred in June this year. Canada issued invitations to apply through these category-based selection draws 12 times. This means the overall number of invitations sent to candidates was 11,000. All these candidates remained in the pool of Express Entry.
Express Entry System
Express Entry is an immigration system for handling applications for candidates applying for Canadian Permanent Residence. These candidates could belong to any of the three Express Entry programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the FSTP.
Candidates under Express Entry go through the evaluation process through the Comprehensive Ranking System. The system provides ranking and scores to candidates based on a few Human Capital attributes. These factors include education, age, language proficiency, work experience, and occupation. Every factor acquires a certain point value which eventually forms their overall score.
Furthermore, candidates possessing the highest CRS scores have greater chances of obtaining an invitation to apply. Also, after receiving the CRS score, they must submit their PR application to IRCC within a timeframe of 60 days.
IRCC works with the primary objective of processing Express Entry applications within six months.
If you wish to know more about Canada Express Entry, connect with our immigration experts at MakeHomeCanada. Our considerable experience in the immigration field can help you. You may write to us [email protected]
