IRCC issued 1000 ITAs to trade occupation candidates in the latest Express Entry draw of the week. This category-based selection draws issued ITAs to 1000 candidates in the trade occupations. To gain eligibility for receiving an invitation, candidates had to score a minimum of 425 points.
IRCC issued 1000 ITAs to trade occupation candidates
On December 18, an all-program draw occurred in which 1,325 ITAs were issued to candidates. To be acknowledged, they had to demonstrate a CRS score of 542.
Before these two draws, IRCC also conducted three draws in the same week. On December 8, 5,900 candidates received ITAs; the minimum CRS score requirement was 481. This draw targeted the candidates in the STEM professions. Additionally, on December 7, a category-based draw occurred for those with French language proficiency. 1000 candidates received ITAs, and the lowest CRS score was 470.
Similarly, on December 6, an Express Entry all-program draw also took place in which the minimum CRS score was 561. This draw emerged to be the first one after a month’s pause. Before the pause, on October 26, a category-based selection draw took place for candidates in healthcare occupations.
IRCC tweeted a technical fault for which candidates failed to upload their profile on the Express Entry profile builder. However, after two days, the immigration department revealed that the issue had been successfully resolved. Although this didn’t lead to an immediate draw.
Possibly, there might be different reasons behind the delay in Express Entry draws. This includes IT challenges, changes within the staff, CRS updates, and IRCC’s efforts to meet the latest target levels.
Express Entry draws since June 2023
| 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 |
| December 7 | French Category-based draw | 1,000 | 470 |
| December 8 | STEM Occupations | 5,900 | 481 |
| December 18 | All-program | 1,325 | 542 |
| December 19 | Trade occupations | 1,000 | 425 |
Express Entry in a Nutshell
Express Entry looks after immigration applications and takes control of them through its chief programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the FSTP.
It evaluates each candidate and provides them with a score according to several human capital attributes. The higher the CRS score of a candidate, the better their chances of receiving an ITA to apply for permanent residence. Hence, after attaining an ITA, candidates will have to submit their applications directly to IRCC.
Typically, the immigration department will need a processing period of six months to determine their final take on an application.
Express Entry Category-Based Selection
Apart from the French language proficiency, the five categories of these new invitation rounds are STEM occupations, healthcare, Agriculture and Agri-Food, Trade, and Transport. These new categories will focus on candidates possessing skills and experience in certain in-demand occupations. All these categories came into the limelight only because these prominent sectors faced an acute labor shortage in Canada.
The latest target levels of immigration are steady at 500,000 annually in 2025 and 2026. Canada seeks to bring forth 114,000 new permanent residents annually via Express Entry toward the end of 2025.
Do you have any general queries or concerns regarding Canada Express Entry? Let our expert guides at Make Home Canada help you get all the answers. We are just a call away; stay connected at 1-800-979-0509 or simply email your concerns to [email protected].
