IRCC conducted a surprise all-program Express Entry draw, and 700 applicants were invited to this draw. Due to the fact that it was an all-program draw, candidates had to earn a minimum CRS score of 511.
It is surprising that this draw occurs in light of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s announcement that 1,500 healthcare professionals will be selected by the agency tomorrow, July 5. As part of the first-ever category-based Express Entry lottery for STEM-related professions. Also, IRCC will invite applicants with experience working in such fields. STEM and healthcare applicants will need to meet a minimum CRS score.
IRCC held its first Express Entry category-based lottery last week on June 28, inviting 500 healthcare professionals with a minimum CRS score of 476. The IRCC announced that STEM occupations would be included in this week’s category-based Express Entry round.
As of today, the CRS score for 2023 is 511, which is the highest for any draw. A minimum CRS score of 486 was required in the most recent all-program draw on June 27, which invited 4,300 candidates. Furthermore, it exceeds the 476 points needed for the category-based draw on June 28 by 35 points.
Category-based Express Entry draw
The category-based selection draw is a brand-new Express Entry draw that targets applicants in specific professions or who are unique. As well as six new categories are available to candidates:
- Strong French-language proficiency
- Healthcare
- Trades, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- Transport
A category-based selection drawing was made available after the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act was amended in June 2022. Furthermore, the modifications allow the immigration minister the power to select potential economic immigrants based on a particular quality that complements Canada’s economic aims or would advance the French language outside of Quebec.
Express Entry – An overview
Express Entry is a system that IRCC has put in place to efficiently handle applications for Canadian permanent residency. It works with the CRS, which ranks applicants based on a variety of criteria, including age, education level, job history, occupation, and more. An eligible candidate is given a CRS score. And is placed in the applicant pool after submitting their profile on the IRCC website. The likelihood of receiving an ITA increases with the CRS score.
Moreover, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class are the three programs included in Express Entry. Even though each program has unique eligibility requirements, they are all evaluated using the same CRS system. This expedited procedure makes it possible for talented immigrants applying for permanent residency in Canada to go through a fair and quick selection process.
