Canada This year has been really intriguing for Express Entry.
Overview of Express Entry Draws in 2023
42 Express Entry draws were held by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2023. Following the resumption of Express Entry draws after an 18-month break that began in December 2020, Express Entry resumed using post-pandemic patterns established in 2022 in the first half of the program.
In 2023, there were three types of draws: provincial nominee program only, all-program, and once, only for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Draws happened every two weeks on average, but occasionally they happened more regularly.
Express Entry draws based on category.
The IRCC revealed the six selection categories for the Express Entry drawings on May 31, 2023. Draws typically took place every two weeks, but sometimes they may occur more frequently.
Category-Based Selection Draws for Express Entry
On May 31, 2023, IRCC announced six selection categories for Express Entry draws. The introduction of the new categories aims to address the vacancies mentioned on the Canada Occupation In-demand List. The categories were chosen after considering labor market projections and consulting with various Partners, Stakeholders, Provincial, and Territorial governments.
Categories chosen for Express Entry draws.
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare occupations
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
- Trade occupations
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and Agri-food occupations
On June 28, 2023, the first category-based selection draw was held, inviting 500 healthcare professionals to apply for permanent residence in Canada. In 17 category-based Express Entry drawings since then, 25,870 individuals have received invitations from the IRCC.
Draw Types
Of the 42 draws in 2023, the majority were all-program draws that considered candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program and Canadian Experience Class. But in 2023, the IRCC did not provide any ITAs to candidates for the FSTP.
Nineteen Express Entry draws were all-program, five were restricted to PNP, one to FSWP, and the remaining seventeen were based on category selection.
CRS Score Range
ITAs in 2023 were issued to the following, according to recent IRCC data:
- 56,223 applicants with CRS scores between 451 and 500 were considered.
- 4,433 applicants with CRS scores in the 500–600 range.
- 1,011 individuals with CRS scores ranging from 601 to 1200 were considered.
Based on the draw-type
Type of Draw | Date | Lowest CRS | Date | Highest CRS |
All-Program | March 29 | 481 (7,000 invitations) | December 06 | 561 (4,750 invitations) |
Category-based selection | September 28 | 354 (600 invitations) | July 05 and October 25 | 486 (300+500 invitations) |
Provincial Nominee Program | May 10 | 691 (589 invitations) | February 15 | 791 (699 invitations) |
Federal Skilled Worker Program | February 02 | 489 (3,300 invitations) |
The Rhythm of Draws
Express Entry draws in the first half of 2023 maintained a predictable frequency, occurring every two weeks. However, the introduction of category-based draws added an element of surprise. The latter half of the year witnessed a trend of concentrated draws, particularly in December, underscoring the adaptability of the system.
Summary of Express Entry draws since June 2023
Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
Dec 19 | Trade occupations | 1,000 | 425 |
Dec 18 | All-program | 1,325 | 542 |
Dec 8 | STEM occupations | 5,900 | 481 |
Dec 7 | French language proficiency | 1,000 | 470 |
Dec 6 | All-program | 4,750 | 561 |
Oct 26 | Healthcare occupations | 3,600 | 431 |
Oct 25 | French language proficiency | 300 | 486 |
Oct 24 | PNP-only | 1,548 | 776 |
Oct 10 | All-program | 3,725 | 500 |
Sept 28 | Agriculture and agri-food occupations | 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 | 1500 | 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 |
Gearing Up for Express Entry 2024
According to the Immigration Levels Plan 2024–2026, which was just published, 110,000 new permanent residents will be granted entry into Canada via Express Entry in 2024.
The IRCC sought admission for 82,880 Express Entry candidates in 2023. The department issued 110,266 ITAs from the first draw of the year on January 11 and the draw on December 21.
This does not imply that every applicant will be granted entry into Canada before the end of the year, since the IRCC may require up to six months to complete an Express Entry application. It is anticipated that many of the 2023 ITAs will be accepted in 2024.
Processing times for Express Entry are renowned for being comparatively quick. For individuals seeking a speedy immigration process, it is an appealing choice because most applications are processed in less than six months. The fact that candidates from all around Canada can apply for Express Entry, regardless of the province or territory they choose to settle in, is one of its greatest benefits. You are not restricted by Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) in terms of where you can go.
Applying for a Canada PR visa now is the best option given the approaching record-breaking immigration targets and the back-to-back invitation rounds.