This week’s fourth Express Entry draw occurred by Canada. A total of 2300 ITAs were issued in this draw.
The IRCC invited 2,300 French-speaking individuals to participate in its first-ever French-based Express Entry lottery. Candidates in 2023 were required to have a minimum CRS score of 439, the lowest ever.
It is estimated that 9,800 applicants have been invited through Express Entry during this period. In the past two weeks, six waves of invitations have been sent out.
This week was the most popular week for sending invitations. A recent round of applications was held on July 6, inviting 1,500 candidates with healthcare experience. The draw was scheduled following an announcement on June 27 that 500 healthcare professionals would receive Express Entry invitations for the first time.
In the final round of invitations on July 4, 700 candidates were selected in a surprise all-program draw. CRS of 511 points was the highest of any all-program draw in 2023 for these applicants.
This week’s fourth Express Entry draw – French-speaking invitations
Only French-speaking skills are considered a primary qualification in the six new categories instead of job experience.
French promotion outside of Quebec is the responsibility of Canada’s minister of immigration. IRCC announced the draw for French-speaking Express Entry candidates in a press release, stating that by promoting the invitation of French-speaking immigrants outside of Quebec, Canada seeks to support economic growth through French-speaking immigration while acknowledging how it strengthens and enriches those communities.
Category-based selection
On May 31, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Sean Fraser, announced the new categories for category-based selection. In June of last year, new categories were anticipated after legislation was passed allowing the Canadian immigration minister to select applicants for economic immigration on their characteristics instead of their total CRS score. A variety of factors can be considered, including schooling, language proficiency, and work experience.
Accordingly, IRCC has selected the following 2023 categories after consulting with provincial and territorial governments, IRCC partners, and other stakeholders:
- Transport
- Strong French-language proficiency
- Healthcare
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Trades, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
As part of its presentation to parliament, the IRCC will evaluate these categories on an annual basis beginning in 2024.
Moreover, by the end of 2023, Canada intends to admit up to 82,880 new immigrants through Express Entry, as stated in the Immigration Levels Plan 2023–2025. The goal will increase to 114,000 by the end of 2025. The category-based selection might assist Canada in achieving these goals while also bridging the country’s workforce’s critical skills and employment shortages.
