IRCC held the category-based Express draw for agriculture and agri-food occupations. 600 invitations were issued in this draw. A minimum CRS score of 354 was mandated for candidates. 

The IRCC asserts that giving preference to applicants with expertise in the agriculture and agri-food industry, including such as agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors, and retail and wholesale butchers, will help the industry to attract the competent workers needed. 

Canada’s agriculture and agri-food industry exported roughly $92.8 billion worth of agricultural and food products worldwide in 2022. 

Moreover, this week’s Express Entry draws have already occurred three times, the most recent being today. On September 27, 500 invitations were sent out to applicants from the French-speaking Proficiency group who had a minimum CRS score of 472. 

On September 26, a different draw was held, inviting 3,000 applicants from all programs with a CRS score of at least 504.  

An overview of the 2023 Express Entry draw results 

Date  Draw Type  Number of ITAs  Minimum CRS  
Sept 28  Agriculture and agri-food  600  354  
Sept 27  French language proficiency  500  472  
Sept 26  All-program  3,000  504  
Sept 20  Transport occupations  1,000  435  
Sept 19  All-program  3,200  531  
Aug 15  All-program  4,300  496  
Aug 3  Trade occupations  1,500  388  
Aug 2  French language proficiency  800  435  
Aug 1  All-program  2,000  517  
July 12  French language proficiency  3,800  375  
July 11  All-program  800  505  
July 7  French language proficiency  2,300  439  
July 6  Healthcare occupations  1,500  463  
July 5  STEM occupations  500  486  
July 4  All-program  700  511  
June 28  Healthcare occupations  500  476  
June 27  All-program  4,300  486  
June 8  All-program  4,800  486  

Summarized category-based draws 

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act had a significant revision in 2022. The immigration minister now has the power to choose Express Entry applicants who can efficiently fill labor market shortfalls. These applicants would be chosen based on their ability to fill the labor shortage gaps, support Canada’s efforts to build a robust economy, and advance French language learning outside of Quebec. 

In light of this modification, new categories were introduced to support newcomers in high-demand professions and those possessing sufficient French language proficiency. These occupational categories encompassed the following: 

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

On June 28, 2023, the first category-based draw for healthcare positions was conducted. Category-based draws within Express Entry have been conducted for all the mentioned categories, except for Agriculture and Agri-Food. Furthermore, the candidates that stood out for having a strong command of French received the most ITAs, totaling 6,900. 

Candidates who want to immigrate to Canada through category-based selection must typically continue to be in the Express Entry pool and get a certain minimum CRS score. 

Express Entry in Brief 

Express Entry serves as a favored immigration route overseen by the Canadian government, facilitating the relocation and settlement of prospective candidates in Canada. 

This system operates on a point-based mechanism, overseeing the applications of candidates capable of making valuable contributions to Canada’s economy. The Express Entry System encompasses the following three widely-recognized pathways: 

  • The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): This route is designed for skilled workers possessing foreign work experience. 
  • The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): This option is tailored for skilled workers with expertise in various skilled professions. 
  • The Canadian Experience Class (CEC): This pathway is designated for skilled workers who have accumulated work experience in Canada. 

The Express Entry programs evaluate candidates using the CRS, which considers various factors such as age, work experience, qualifications, profession, language proficiency, and more. Each factor holds a specific point value. Candidates receive an overall CRS score based on these criteria. 

Moreover, to secure an ITA in the upcoming Express Entry draw, candidates must achieve a high CRS score. 

The various Express Entry pathways have varying eligibility restrictions. For instance, there are different Canadian Language Benchmark requirements for the FSWP and the FSTP. Candidates for the FSWP and FSTP must possess a minimum amount of settlement funds. The CEC, on the other hand, is not subject to this requirement.