A total of 5500 invitations are issued in Canada’s 2nd Express Entry draw which was conducted by IRCC this week. To receive invitations to this draw candidates must have a minimum of 490 CRS points. Eligible candidates were invited to apply through the Express Entry system, including those from the CEC, FSTP, and FSWP.
The draw was unexpected since it was the second Express Entry round in many weeks. As of January 11, the IRCC had invited 5,500 applicants to participate in a drawing. As a result of the drop in the CRS cut-off score between draws, the cut-off score for the last draw fell to 507, a decrease of 17 points. IRCC published the incorrect score of 507 for this draw but has since corrected it to 490. It hasn’t happened since November 23, 2022. However, there was one draw last week. The Express Entry draw is customarily held twice a week on Wednesdays. As of yet, the IRCC has not explained why the draws stopped.
It would appear that IRCC is seeking to bring in more skilled immigrants to this country this year, as draws have occurred in consecutive weeks since the start of 2023. This beats the previous record of 10,000 ITAs given in January 2021 and represents Express Entry’s fastest start since it was created in 2015.
Most successful applicants receive permanent residency within six months of applying through Express Entry, one of more than 100 skilled immigration channels in Canada.
It’s likely that IRCC’s primary channel for skilled immigration will have a busy year with Express Entry’s quick start.
Canada’s 2nd Express Entry draw – Targeted Categories
As a result of Bill C-19 being passed in June, the IRCC has continued to develop new Express Entry categories.
An invitation strategy is now being implemented by the department to invite candidates. Nevertheless, this strategy will differ significantly from the previous one. Due to their superior rankings in the Comprehensive Ranking System, early candidates were chosen for interviews.
To better understand the scarcity of skilled workers, the department recently engaged the public and stakeholders. Express Entry is open to all candidates regardless of their category. When he has more certainty about the new categories, the immigration minister will reveal them before sending ITAs.
Draw categories that might be relevant for a targeted draw
Category selection will be based on a candidate’s professional background, employment history, educational level, and language proficiency.
The immigration minister claims that Canada’s economy will benefit from welcoming workers who can fill critical labor shortages. It is possible that Express Entry candidates with specific job experiences pertinent to high-demand industries may be selected in draws.
IRCC may also develop categories to assist foreign students in Canada who have degrees or diplomas from Designated Learning Institutions and work in in-demand sectors in order to become permanent residents.
A similar distinction is made between temporary residents and permanent residents. In Canada, people who have previously worked in short-term positions successfully integrate into the labor force and are better able to transfer their skills.
Skilled immigrants who speak French may also have an advantage in obtaining ITAs, as the government strives to strengthen Canada’s bilingual character and fill labor gaps.
Express Entry – An introduction
Canadian citizenship applications are processed through a points-based system known as Express Entry. Immigration to Canada is based on this system, which was implemented in 2015. Applications from people who wish to immigrate permanently to Canada are evaluated, chosen, and handled by this system. To apply for permanent residency, Express Entry candidates can use the CEC, the FSWP, and the FSTP
A point system is typically used in the Express Entry system under the Common Ranking System to rank candidate profiles. Individuals with higher grades will receive ITA. An application for permanent residency is then submitted.
After an applicant submits a PR application, an immigration officer evaluates it and decides whether it should be approved. Permanent residency is granted once it has been contributed by an officer, putting the applicant on the road to citizenship.
