The French language category-based draw under Express Entry occurred yesterday, July 12. IRCC issued 3,800 ITAs to candidates in this French-specific category draw with a least CRS score of 375.
July 11 Express Entry category-based draw
On July 11, IRCC issued 800 invitations to candidates in an Express Entry all-program draw. The minimum score requirement under the Comprehensive Ranking System was 505. This score is relatively higher than the last three Express Entry category-based draws. However, it is still lower than the one held on July 4, with a minimum CRS score of 511.
July 4 to July 7
Between July 4 and 7, IRCC held draws on four consecutive days.
The 700 invited candidates required a minimum CRS score of 511 to be included in the invitations sent out on July 4. The CRS score requirement for this particular all-program draw in 2023 emerged as the highest.
On July 5, in the week’s second draw, individuals with prior job experience in specific STEM fields obtained ITAs to participate in the anticipated first-ever round of invitations. 500 applicants with a minimum CRS score of 486 received ITAs from IRCC. This draw’s date and time became public a week in advance.
With a cut-off CRS score of 463, the third draw from last week invited 1,500 applicants on July 6 for a category-based selection draw for healthcare professionals.
On July 7, the fourth draw of the week took place. 2300 individuals with a minimum CRS of 439 and strong French language proficiency received ITAs.
June 27-28
In an all-program draw on June 27, IRCC welcomed 4,300 candidates. A CRS of 486 was essential for these applicants.
IRCC released the first-ever ITAs for category-based selection on June 28. 500 people had to apply for permanent residency with work experience in healthcare occupations and a minimum CRS score of 476.
French language category-based draw
On May 31, Sean Fraser, Canada’s minister of immigration, declared that the IRCC had completed the categories for category-based selection. Following Bill C-19’s royal assent in the Canadian parliament in June, when it became law, these categories were anticipated.
The law gives the immigration minister the authority to extend invitations to individuals seeking economic immigration to Canada to advance the French language outside Quebec and Canada’s economy.
This implies that rather than concentrating on a person’s overall CRS score, the minister can accept newcomers based on certain qualities, such as language or work experience.
Following talks with stakeholders and the provincial and territorial governments to determine the most significant labor market shortages in Canada, the following categories came to the surface:
- Strengthened French-language proficiency
- Agriculture and Agri-Food
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
- Healthcare
- Transport
Based on categories, these selected applicants must still be competent for the Express Entry program. A high CRS score is also advantageous because candidates will still be compared to one another.
By the end of 2023, IRCC expects to have attracted 82,880 new permanent residents to Canada through Express Entry. The number will increase to 109,020 in 2024 and to 114,000 in 2025. The new Express Entry categories will ensure that immigrants to Canada are contributing to achieving these goals while enhancing the country’s labor force.
