The Government of Canada has released fresh data offering in-depth insights into the human capital profiles of individuals who received Express Entry invitations from January to September 2023.
Canada sent out 53,455 ITAs to candidates using the Express Entry system during this time. It is noteworthy that the statistics shown do not include the 9,173 ITAs that IRCC awarded in Express Entry draws held throughout the month of October.
To further classify how ITAs are distributed according to different factors, we use these numbers. The number of ITAs awarded per program, province, age, occupation, and CRS score are all broken down in this breakdown.
Express Entry functions as an application management system, overseeing candidates for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and a segment of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Each program imposes distinct eligibility requirements, but all candidates undergo evaluation and ranking through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS assigns points based on human capital criteria such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
The data also encompasses candidates nominated through the PNP, with a provincial nomination automatically augmenting a candidate’s profile by an additional 600 CRS points.
Based on the available data, the most likely candidates to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) are those in their twenties, particularly CEC candidates employed as software engineers, and residing or intending to reside in Ontario.
Program-wise invitation distribution
For the first nine months of 2023, candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) received the majority of Invitations to Apply (ITAs). CEC candidates made up 23,910 ITAs, or over 45% of all ITAs issued. They had to meet the language proficiency requirements of the IRCC and have at least one year of qualified Canadian work experience.
Applicanteles for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) obtained the second most ITAs, totaling 15,855, or around 30% of all ITAs, in close succession. Candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) received 13,655 ITAs, or almost 26% of all ITAs awarded, placing them in third place.
Interestingly, candidates in the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) did not receive any ITAs.
Express Entry 2023 – Top occupations
There was a notable intersection in the occupations that garnered the highest number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across various immigration programs. Specifically, software engineers consistently held a prominent position, consistently securing a position within the top five occupations for three distinct immigration programs.
Canadian Experience Class
- Software engineers and designers received 1,725 mentions.
- Computer programmers and interactive media developers were cited 1,745 times.
- Information systems analysts and consultants garnered 1,375 references.
- CEC Food Service Supervisors secured 1,240 mentions.
- Administrative assistants were noted 855 times.
Federal Skilled Worker Program
- There were 650 instances of mentions for financial auditors and accountants.
- Dentists were referenced 570 times.
- Software engineers and designers received 565 mentions.
- Noted 505 times were professional occupations in advertising, marketing, and public relations.
- Database analysts and data administrators garnered 420 references.
Provincial Nominee Program
- The “Other” category mentioned occupations 970 times.
- Software engineers and designers received 820 references.
- Information systems analysts and consultants were cited 615 times.
- Computer programmers and interactive media developers garnered 595 mentions.
- Welders and related machine operators received 420 references.
Invitations based on CRS scores
26,070 candidates, or about half of all candidates in the Express Entry system, had Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores between 451 and 500, and 11,640 candidates had scores between 501 and 600.
Express Entry sent Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to only 225 candidates with CRS scores between 601 and 700, and 60 candidates with scores between 701 and 800. Additionally, Express Entry granted ITAs to 790 individuals with scores between 801 and 900.
It is noteworthy that a considerable proportion of candidates—more than 7,750—had CRS scores between 901 and 1,000, while over 5,040 candidates had scores higher than 1,000. Obtaining a CRS score of approximately 600 usually involves receiving a provincial nomination. This represents 600 of the 1,200 CRS points that an Express Entry candidate can earn.
Invitations distributed according to provinces
Express Entry sent 31,550 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates, with more than half residing in Ontario or expressing a desire to do so. Alberta had 5,280 individuals who obtained an ITA, while British Columbia, with 10,655, received the second-highest number.
The other provinces combined granted less than 1,500 ITAs, while Nova Scotia obtained 1,595.
Invitations distributed based on age
With 28,970 candidates in their twenties receiving Invitations to Apply (ITAs), candidates in the 19–29 age range accounted for the bulk of those who obtained ITAs. Candidates in their thirties were invited to apply, totaling 20,865, whereas less than 4,000 individuals aged 40 years and older received ITAs.
Younger candidates receive a better CRS score from IRCC, based on a longitudinal analysis done by Statistics Canada. The results of this investigation show that younger immigrants have more time to adjust to the Canadian labor market.
Statistics Canada research demonstrates that one important element in determining how well immigrants will integrate into the labor market is their age. The results show that younger immigrants have more time to develop their English and/or French language skills, obtain Canadian work experience, and build a network of professional contacts in Canada. A single applicant who is between the ages of 20 and 29 earns 110 CRS points in the Express Entry system, but a candidate who is 19 receives 105 points.
Express Entry immigration levels
Between January and September of 2023, the Express Entry procedure invited more candidates than the overall invitations extended in 2022, which amounted to 37,335. It is still less than the far larger total of 108,105 invites sent out in 2021, though.
The pandemic’s effects over the past two years created particular difficulties. In an attempt to reach the challenging target of landing over 400,000 immigrants during the pandemic, which included border restrictions, the IRCC raised Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) in 2021. Despite meeting urgent needs, this action created a backlog and lowered service standards, which is why the IRCC decided to lower Express Entry ITAs in 2022.
Candidates for the Canadian Experience Class have received the bulk of ITAs since the pandemic began. The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) served as the main initiative for issuing ITAs prior to the epidemic.
By way of Express Entry programs, IRCC hopes to admit 110,770 permanent residents by the year 2024. This projection anticipates an increase to 117,500 each year in 2025 and 2026. It’s interesting to note that successful Express Entry candidates bring their qualifying spouses and children upon arrival, provided they meet the requirements laid forth by the IRCC, resulting in the issuance of fewer ITAs than overall admissions.
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