Express Entry review of the first six months in 2023 indicates an interesting turn of events in the history of Canada’s Express Entry system.
In various ways, Express Entry has served its purpose quite unpredictably. It is primarily due to its attempts to re-establish itself after the long haul due to the pandemic.
In July 2022, all programs gained normalcy, with the usual Express Entry draws occurring once every two weeks. Typically, the draws were held on Wednesdays. Finally, the system resumed its standard pattern equivalent to the pre-pandemic phase.
As assumed beforehand, the draw sizes increased, while the CRS score reduced with each draw.
However, 2023 began quite surprisingly after an unpredictable pause of six weeks. On January 11, the first draw occurred, and 5,500 candidates received ITAs. This figure of invitations turned out to be the highest in 2022 as far as a single draw was concerned.
However, the draw sizes have undergone several changes. This implies going at a massively low level with 589 invitations on May 10 and reaching as high as 7,000 ITAs in three draws consecutively held in March.
Express Entry review of the first six months in 2023 – number of invitations
58,849 ITAs have been distributed by IRCC thus far in 2023. This exceeds the 35,750 ITAs issued between July 6 and November 23, 2022, by a wide margin.
11,000 ITAs were distributed during two draws in January 2023, while 4,892 ITAs were distributed over three draws in February.
Regarding invitations, March had the second-highest number in Express Entry history. 21,667 individuals obtained ITAs throughout four draws. In a single draw in February 2021, where more than 27,000 individuals were invited to apply for permanent residence, this figure was only ever exceeded once.
The draws in April and May were more typical of pre-pandemic times. 7,000 candidates were invited over two draws in April, while 5,389 were invited over two lotteries in May.
CRS Scores
The year’s minimum CRS scores have likewise fluctuated greatly. For instance, the lowest CRS score in 2023 was 476 for the first-ever category-based draw on June 28, and the highest CRS score was 791 for a PNP-only draw on February 15. Most other draws held over the previous six months had a minimum CRS cut-off score in the range of 485 to 490.
The various draw types probably cause the broad range in CRS scores.
Getting nominated by a province immediately raises a candidate’s CRS score by 600 points, so a draw only open to PNP candidates will normally have a higher cut-off score.
Express Entry review of the first six months – the frequency of draws
There is no predetermined timetable that IRCC must follow for Express Entry draws. The draws occur at the minister of immigration’s discretion. He is free to arrange draws whenever they find it suitable. Hence, they invite as many applicants as they feel necessary.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRCC developed an unofficial schedule for Express Entry draws. These typically occur on Wednesdays every two weeks. In 2023, this has not always been the case.
For instance, there were three draws in February, the first two of which were held on February 1 and 2, respectively.
Four draws took place on the first, fifteenth, twenty-second, and twenty-ninth of March. Except for the June 8 draw, which was widely anticipated to take place on June 7. The IRCC, after that, resumed its schedule every two weeks. Although the IRCC did not hold its scheduled draw on June 21, it made up for it by having an all-program draw on June 27. Also, a draw for healthcare workers on June 28 compensated for it. In total, 4,800 candidates received ITAs in these two draws.
Express Entry draws in 2023 – what are the types of draws?
Candidates from three economic immigration programs – the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the FSTP are taken into account in an all-program Express Entry draw.
The majority of draws have taken into account applicants from all Express Entry administered programs. However, there have also been four draws that have only included applicants from the Provincial Nominee Program. The first-ever Federal Skilled Worker Program-only draw took place on February 2. Also, the first-ever category-based draw took place on June 28.
Express Entry future events – category-based selection and prominent developments
The IRCC declared on May 31 that category-based selection draws would start later this summer. The new draw categories took effect following consultations with provincial governments and other stakeholders who might offer insight into which categories would best assist Canada’s economy.
The discussions led to the emergence of six new categories; they’re as follows:
- Trades – Carpenters, Contractors, and Plumbers
- Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Healthcare
- Transport
- STEM professions – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
- Strengthened French language abilities – NCLC 7 requirement in all abilities like reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
500 healthcare professionals will receive ITAs in the first round of Express Entry invitations under the new category-based selection process, Canada’s Minister of Immigration Sean Fraser stated on June 28. He claimed up to 1,500 more people would be invited in the coming week.
On the same day, the IRCC revealed that the week of July 5 would see Express Entry draws for eligible STEM applicants.
IRCC’s future targets
Following the new categories, IRCC will strive to achieve the targets for admissions of permanent residents outlined in the immigration levels plan for the years 2023–2025. The categories are in line with the mandate of the minister of immigration. He seeks to promote francophone immigration in French-speaking minority populations outside of Quebec and use immigration to strengthen Canada’s workforce.
Focusing on the second half of 2023 will be vital to meet the 2024 goal of 109,020 new permanent residence admissions through Express Entry. Given that the IRCC has a service requirement of six months for processing permanent resident applications under Express Entry programs, invitations sent out later this year might not fall under the admissions category until 2024.
Future advancements in Canadian immigration law and policy are likely to have an impact on Express Entry. For instance, on July 16, IRCC will unveil a new open work permit for Americans with H-1B visas. The people with a leg up in the race for permanent residency due to Express Entry will have the chance to increase their CRS score. However, they must display Canadian work experience.
The new Tech Talent Strategy, which Canada unveiled earlier this week, includes a plan to draw in additional H-1B visa holders. This technique will provide them with an advantage. However, it is only possible if tech employees decide to travel to Canada and work temporarily before joining the Express Entry pool.
On June 27, IRCC announced that it would provide work permit holders with more freedom to pursue their Canadian education. However, they must enroll in an appropriate program. It will only enable them to gain extra CRS points for studying in Canada.
