IRCC has issued ITAs in an all-program Express Entry draw, wherein over 3,725 applicants were invited.

In addition, applicants need a minimum CRS score of 500. 

The all-program Express Entry draw followed three consecutive draws in the week of September 25. 

The first draw occurred on September 26, wherein over 3,000 applicants with a minimum CRS of 504 in all-program draw were invited. 

The second all-program Express Entry draw took place on September 27, inviting 500 applicants in French-speaking proficiency. They required a minimum score of 472.  

The last draw of the week occurred on September 28, thus inviting 600 applicants with a minimum CRS of 354 in the first-ever category-based Express Entry draw for applicants in agri-food/ agriculture professions. 

The draw implies that IRCC has now invited applicants from each of the six new categories eligible under category-based selection. 

Express Entry Draw Results: Summary 

IRCC Releases Year-End Report For 2022 

On September 26, IRCC released the Express Entry annual report. 

It was found that there were 24 Express Entry draws last year, through which over 46,539 ITAs were issued. However, this is 59% lower ITAs than in 2021. 

Well, this is largely because of the pause in all-program Express Entry draws for Federal High Skilled Programs between September 2021 & July 2022. 

In addition, most Express Entry ITAs were issued to applicants in CEC & PNP. 

The final 8,386 ITAs were issued to applicants under FSWP. However, IRCC did not invite Express Entry applicants via FSTP in 2022. 

Moreover, applicants who listed their professions as designers, software engineers, computer system developers, programmers, etc., obtained an ITA. In addition, food service supervisors & cooks were also common professions for an ITA. 

More than 30,000 of the ITAs issued went to Canadian residents. Among the remaining ITAs, invitations were sent to applicants who were residents of Nigeria & India. 

What Is Category-Based Selection? 

The Canadian government made changes to IRPA in June 2022 in order to allow the immigration minister to select newcomers depending on key attributes that support the nation’s economic priorities, like relevant work experience, french language proficiency, etc.   

In May 2023, IRCC announced six new Express Entry categories in line with this new authority. The categories are: 

• Healthcare
• STEM Professions
• Trades
• Transport
• Strong French Abilities
• Agriculture/ Agri-Food 

These categories were selected after consultations with IRCC stakeholders, partners, & provincial governments. 

In some ways, the new categories reflect existing streams under PNP, which allows provincial governments to select immigration applicants who are likely to integrate into the provincial economy easily. These applicants are typically chosen depending on a specific attribute, like language ability, work experience, etc., in an in-demand profession. 

The PNP nominates applicants at a provincial level & strengthens a PR application. On the other hand, the new category-based selection draws invite applicants to apply directly to IRCC for permanent residence. 

What Is Express Entry? 

Express Entry manages FSTP, FSWP, & CEC. 

In order to be eligible for Express Entry, applicants need a minimum CRS score based on a collection of human capital attributes, like work experience, age, education, language ability, etc. 

Every attribute is worth a specific point value. Thus, individuals who score the highest are most likely to obtain an ITA in an Express Entry draw. 

Moreover, after an applicant has determined that they are eligible for the Express Entry program, the next step is to upload their profile onto the IRCC official website & wait to obtain an ITA. 

Lastly, applicants who are issued ITAs via Express Entry might further apply for PR. IRCC aims to process over 80% of all Express Entry applications within six months.