Express Entry French category-based draw issued 500 ITAs to candidates on September 27. The Express Entry category-based draw invited candidates with exceptional French language abilities. 500 candidates received ITAs, while the lowest score under the Comprehensive Ranking System was 472. The previous draw took place on September 26, in which IRCC invited 3,000 candidates, and the minimum score was 504. This draw was an all-program draw. 

Express Entry French category-based draw issued 500 ITAs – a summary of all draw results in 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 

Express Entry Category-based draws – the story behind them 

In 2022, the IRPA experienced a significant change. This specific change enabled the immigration minister to select Express Entry candidates who would help in improving the labor market situation. However, these candidates will get selected on the basis of their ability to fulfill the labor shortage requirements. They must be able to assist Canada in meeting its mandate of developing a solidified economy and spreading the French language outside Quebec.  

As a consequence of this change, new categories became official to help newcomers in-demand occupations and those with stronger French language proficiency. The occupational categories are as follows: 

  • Healthcare; 
  • Agriculture and Agri-Food; 
  • STEM Professions; 
  • Trades and; 
  • Transport  

The first-ever category-based draw took place for the Healthcare occupations on June 28, 2023. Until now, Express Entry category-based draws have been conducted for each of these new categories. 6,900 ITAs have been issued to candidates. Typically, these candidates have had exceptional French language abilities. 

Candidates immigrating to Canada through the category-based selection must continue to exist in the Express Entry pool and meet a certain minimum CRS score.  

Express Entry continues to flourish as an immigration pathway 

Express Entry operates through three main economic-class programs: the FSTP, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. The FSWP, along with the other two programs, evaluates candidates using the Comprehensive Ranking System. Moreover, human capital factors determine each candidate’s ranking based on the scores they get. These factors are education, age, work experience, language skills, and occupation. 

Each human capital factor has points associated with it. Therefore, the candidates acquire scores. Any candidate with the highest scores will have greater chances of attaining ITAs to apply for PR in Canada.  

Programs, including the Federal Skilled Trades Program, CEC, and FSWP, decide the candidate’s Express Entry eligibility. The FSWP and FSTP have a distinct Canadian Language Benchmark. It also requires a particular amount of settlement funds. However, CEC candidates have no such requirements.