Today’s all-program invite round is the first draw since November 23 Express Entry draw.
Canada held the inaugural Express Entry draw of the year on Tuesday, and it was the first draw since November 23.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 5,500 candidates with a minimal comprehensive Rating System (CRS) score of 507. Eligible candidates were invited to apply for those in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). The three programs run in conjunction with the Express Entry system.
This draw has seen a rise in ITAs issued and is the biggest all-program Express Entry draw since they began in July of last year. There were 750 invitations in the draw of November 23, which was open to 4,750 applicants and more CRS scores than the one issued since September 28.
Express Entry to 2022
The last year was an exceptional one in the world of Express Entry. Ministerial directives show that during the 23 draws in 2022, the number of applicants was 46,538—ITAs were given for Express Entry applicants. The number of draws includes those from January to July that were reserved for applicants who were in Province Nominee Programmes (PNPs). Every program’s Express Entry draws were paused for more than 18 months beginning in December 2020. The reason for the delay was an overflow of applications resulting from COVID-19’s travel restrictions. Only applicants who were part of CEC or PNP CEC and the PNP were invited to submit (ITAs). In September 2021, however, IRCC also paused draws for the CEC. The total ITAs for all program draws started in July and continued throughout the year, totalling 35,750.
The most recent Express Entry draw saw the lowest minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 491.
Express Entry is getting ready for changes.
In the second quarter of 2022, IRCC established the foundation for the expected changes for Express Entry in 2023. In November, for instance, IRCC implemented NOC 2021, the latest NOC 2016. The National Occupation Classification (NOC) system assesses the Express Entry candidate’s job and skills level.
IRCC changed from categorizing skills as 0-D to a system based on the quality of education, training and experience (TEER). This new system changed the skill levels of NOC 2016 to 0-E and created the equivalent of five TEERS. In NOC 2021, 16 new professions are eligible for economic immigration programs administered through Express Entry, such as the FSWP or CEC.
Candidates with a profile made available to the IRCC Express entry pool have been invited to change their NOCs to the latest NOC 2021 differently. The update should be completed for every job (job) on the IRCC profile. Please update the profile to ensure the candidates are allowed the invitation to apply (ITA).
Canada will also boost the number of applicants admitted via Express Entry programs, based on the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025 released on November 1. In 2023, 82.880 immigrants will be accepted into Canada as permanent residents by Express Entry. The number will rise to 109,020 by 2024 and 114,000 by 2025. This is roughly one-fifth of the total permanent admissions goal. The higher plans highlight the importance Canada places on economic migration to address an ever-growing labour shortage. Immigration contributes to as high as 90 per cent of the labour increase in the force of Canada and about 75% of the growth in the population.
What exactly is Express Entry?
Express Entry is the system that manages applications for the three Canadian immigration programs, including The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) as well as the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Province Nominee Program (PNP) applicants that are part of those in the Express Entry pool are already eligible for at minimum one of the three programs.
Express Entry employs a point-based system known as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which is used to determine the profile of candidates. Candidates who score the highest are invited to apply (ITA), which they may apply for permanent residency.
When a candidate has applied to be an IRCC officer, the IRCC officer looks over the application to determine whether they have been approved. When this is done, If the application is approved, the applicant has become a legal resident in Canada and is one step towards becoming a Canadian citizen.
