The year 2023 has ushered in substantial transformations in Canada's Express Entry application management framework. Building on patterns established in 2022 after the resumption of Express Entry draws following an 18-month hiatus, the first half of 2023 witnessed the continuation of these trends. Draws varied between being all-program, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-only, or, in one instance, exclusively for Federal Skilled Workers.
Express Entry draws occurred roughly every two weeks but occasionally at a higher frequency. A noteworthy milestone was achieved in March 2023 when Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited over 21,000 Express Entry candidates in four draws, marking the second-highest monthly invitation count ever recorded.
Introduction of Category-Based Selection Rounds
In May, IRCC introduced six new categories for Express Entry draws, a development aligned with changes to the Immigrant and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) in June 2022. This amendment granted the immigration minister the authority to issue Invitations to Apply (ITAs) based on specific candidate attributes, rather than relying solely on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
These new categories targeted candidates who possessed attributes that could assist IRCC in promoting the French language outside of Quebec, as well as in enhancing Canada's labor force and economy. The categories encompassed healthcare, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions, trades like carpenters, plumbers, and contractors, transport, agriculture and agri-food, and strong French proficiency.
The first category-based draw took place on June 28, inviting 500 healthcare professionals to apply. Subsequently, IRCC has extended invitations to more than 16,000 Express Entry candidates through category-based selection.
Types of Draws
In 2023, out of a total of 42 draws, the majority were all-program draws, encompassing candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. However, it is notable that no ITAs were issued to Federal Skilled Trades Program candidates during the year.
Of the 42 draws, 19 were all-program, five were PNP-only draws, one was FSWP-only, and the remaining 17 were category-based selection draws.
CRS Scores
Recent data from IRCC revealed that most Express Entry candidates who received ITAs between January and September 2023 had CRS scores ranging from 451-500 (26,070), while 11,640 candidates scored between 501-600. Additionally, another 12,590 candidates secured CRS scores between 900 and 1,200, which likely reflected candidates who had received nominations through the PNP, adding 600 CRS points to their scores.
Based on the draw type, the lowest CRS score for an all-program draw was 481 on March 29 when 7,000 candidates received ITAs. Conversely, the highest CRS score was 561 on December 6, resulting in 4,750 all-program candidates receiving ITAs.
Among candidates who received ITAs in PNP-only draws, the highest CRS score was 791 on February 15 in a draw for 699 candidates, whereas the lowest was 691 on May 10 in a draw for 589 PNP candidates.
Notably, there was one draw for Federal Skilled Workers with a CRS requirement of at least 489 on February 2, which saw 3,300 candidates being invited.
Among the category-based selection rounds of invitations, the lowest score occurred in the single draw for agriculture and agri-food occupations, with a score of 354 on September 28, inviting 600 candidates. The highest score for category-based draws occurred twice in the year. On July 5, 500 candidates in STEM occupations with a minimum score of 486 received ITAs, and on October 25, 300 French-language proficiency candidates received ITAs in a draw with the same minimum score.
Frequency of Draws
Between January and June, Express Entry draws occurred at a regular pace, typically every two weeks, sometimes even every week. However, following the introduction of category-based selection draws, predicting the timing of ITA issuances became more challenging.
Ministerial instructions indicated that since July, there has been a trend toward one week each month featuring three or four separate Express Entry draws between Tuesday and Thursday. December experienced the highest volume of draws, with seven draws occurring between December 6 and 21, while the second-highest volume was in July, with five draws taking place from July 4 to 12. September also witnessed five draws over two weeks, with four draws in October, three of which occurred within one week.
Draws were temporarily paused between October 26 and December 6, with IRCC providing no official explanation. Possible reasons for the pause included ongoing IT issues, staffing challenges, or reaching the Express Entry targets outlined for the year in the Immigration Levels Plan.
Looking Ahead to 2024
The recently released Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026 forecasts that Canada will admit 110,000 new permanent residents through Express Entry in 2024. In 2023, IRCC aimed to admit 82,880 Express Entry candidates. Between the first draw on January 11 and the December 21 draw, the department issued 110,266 ITAs.
However, it's essential to note that not all candidates invited in 2023 will necessarily be admitted to Canada by the year's end, as it can take up to six months for IRCC to process an Express Entry application. Many of the ITAs issued in 2023 will be counted as admissions in 2024.
Additionally, there exists the possibility of the immigration minister revising the current categories for category-based selection, depending on the findings in IRCC's annual report to Parliament and feedback from stakeholders like provincial and territorial governments and settlement services. These stakeholders are in a prime position to evaluate how Express Entry candidates integrate into the local labor force and economy and whether they secure employment in their respective fields. If the minister deems that the existing categories do not align with IRCC's mandate to invite candidates most likely to support Canada's economy, he may introduce a new set of categories.
Certainly, here are some pros and cons of Canada's Express Entry system:
Pros:
Express Entry draws occurred roughly every two weeks but occasionally at a higher frequency. A noteworthy milestone was achieved in March 2023 when Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited over 21,000 Express Entry candidates in four draws, marking the second-highest monthly invitation count ever recorded.
Introduction of Category-Based Selection Rounds
In May, IRCC introduced six new categories for Express Entry draws, a development aligned with changes to the Immigrant and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) in June 2022. This amendment granted the immigration minister the authority to issue Invitations to Apply (ITAs) based on specific candidate attributes, rather than relying solely on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
These new categories targeted candidates who possessed attributes that could assist IRCC in promoting the French language outside of Quebec, as well as in enhancing Canada's labor force and economy. The categories encompassed healthcare, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions, trades like carpenters, plumbers, and contractors, transport, agriculture and agri-food, and strong French proficiency.
The first category-based draw took place on June 28, inviting 500 healthcare professionals to apply. Subsequently, IRCC has extended invitations to more than 16,000 Express Entry candidates through category-based selection.
Types of Draws
In 2023, out of a total of 42 draws, the majority were all-program draws, encompassing candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. However, it is notable that no ITAs were issued to Federal Skilled Trades Program candidates during the year.
Of the 42 draws, 19 were all-program, five were PNP-only draws, one was FSWP-only, and the remaining 17 were category-based selection draws.
CRS Scores
Recent data from IRCC revealed that most Express Entry candidates who received ITAs between January and September 2023 had CRS scores ranging from 451-500 (26,070), while 11,640 candidates scored between 501-600. Additionally, another 12,590 candidates secured CRS scores between 900 and 1,200, which likely reflected candidates who had received nominations through the PNP, adding 600 CRS points to their scores.
Based on the draw type, the lowest CRS score for an all-program draw was 481 on March 29 when 7,000 candidates received ITAs. Conversely, the highest CRS score was 561 on December 6, resulting in 4,750 all-program candidates receiving ITAs.
Among candidates who received ITAs in PNP-only draws, the highest CRS score was 791 on February 15 in a draw for 699 candidates, whereas the lowest was 691 on May 10 in a draw for 589 PNP candidates.
Notably, there was one draw for Federal Skilled Workers with a CRS requirement of at least 489 on February 2, which saw 3,300 candidates being invited.
Among the category-based selection rounds of invitations, the lowest score occurred in the single draw for agriculture and agri-food occupations, with a score of 354 on September 28, inviting 600 candidates. The highest score for category-based draws occurred twice in the year. On July 5, 500 candidates in STEM occupations with a minimum score of 486 received ITAs, and on October 25, 300 French-language proficiency candidates received ITAs in a draw with the same minimum score.
Frequency of Draws
Between January and June, Express Entry draws occurred at a regular pace, typically every two weeks, sometimes even every week. However, following the introduction of category-based selection draws, predicting the timing of ITA issuances became more challenging.
Ministerial instructions indicated that since July, there has been a trend toward one week each month featuring three or four separate Express Entry draws between Tuesday and Thursday. December experienced the highest volume of draws, with seven draws occurring between December 6 and 21, while the second-highest volume was in July, with five draws taking place from July 4 to 12. September also witnessed five draws over two weeks, with four draws in October, three of which occurred within one week.
Draws were temporarily paused between October 26 and December 6, with IRCC providing no official explanation. Possible reasons for the pause included ongoing IT issues, staffing challenges, or reaching the Express Entry targets outlined for the year in the Immigration Levels Plan.
Looking Ahead to 2024
The recently released Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026 forecasts that Canada will admit 110,000 new permanent residents through Express Entry in 2024. In 2023, IRCC aimed to admit 82,880 Express Entry candidates. Between the first draw on January 11 and the December 21 draw, the department issued 110,266 ITAs.
However, it's essential to note that not all candidates invited in 2023 will necessarily be admitted to Canada by the year's end, as it can take up to six months for IRCC to process an Express Entry application. Many of the ITAs issued in 2023 will be counted as admissions in 2024.
Additionally, there exists the possibility of the immigration minister revising the current categories for category-based selection, depending on the findings in IRCC's annual report to Parliament and feedback from stakeholders like provincial and territorial governments and settlement services. These stakeholders are in a prime position to evaluate how Express Entry candidates integrate into the local labor force and economy and whether they secure employment in their respective fields. If the minister deems that the existing categories do not align with IRCC's mandate to invite candidates most likely to support Canada's economy, he may introduce a new set of categories.
Certainly, here are some pros and cons of Canada's Express Entry system:
Pros:
- Merit-Based Selection: Express Entry is a merit-based system that prioritizes candidates based on factors like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. This ensures that skilled and qualified individuals have a fair chance of immigrating to Canada.
- Efficiency: The system is known for its efficiency in processing applications. It uses a points-based Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank candidates, and ITAs (Invitations to Apply) are typically issued quickly after each draw.
- Transparency: The CRS points system is transparent, allowing candidates to understand how their scores are calculated and make improvements if necessary.
- Flexibility: Express Entry includes various immigration programs, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and Provincial Nominee Program. This offers flexibility for candidates to choose the program that best suits their qualifications and circumstances.
- Provincial Nomination: Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are integrated into Express Entry, allowing provinces to nominate candidates based on their specific labor market needs. This can be an advantage for candidates with connections to specific provinces.
- Competitiveness: The system can be highly competitive, particularly for candidates with lower CRS scores. This can make it challenging for some qualified individuals to receive ITAs.
- Language Proficiency: Language proficiency plays a significant role in the CRS, and candidates without strong language skills in English or French may find it more difficult to qualify.
- Points Allocation: Some critics argue that the points allocation in the CRS may not always accurately reflect a candidate's potential to contribute to the Canadian economy. For example, the emphasis on age can disadvantage older applicants.
- Complexity: The Express Entry system can be complex to navigate, especially for candidates who are unfamiliar with the Canadian immigration process. Understanding the various criteria and documentation requirements can be challenging.
- Dependent on Government Policies: The system is subject to changes in government policies and annual immigration levels, which can affect the number of ITAs issued and the eligibility criteria.
I know it’s meant to help the economy, but the uncertainty is stressful for people trying to apply.
