Express Entry Latest Draw from IRCC

In the latest Express Entry draw on 26 September, 1,000 invitations to apply were issued with a minimum CRS score of 504.

Express entry draws are typically issued after every 2 weeks. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada(IRCC) draws applicants from the Express Entry pool and invites them to apply for Canadian permanent resident status.

In an all-programs draw, the department invited 3,000 applicants. A Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 504 was needed to be awarded an ITA.

This draw comes after several rounds that took on the week of September 18.

On 19 September, 3,200 applicants were invited by IRCC in an all-program draw. The next day, on September 20, it held the first-ever category-based draw for Express Entry candidates in the transport industry, inviting 1,000 applicants.

Ministerial Instructions respecting invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry system #266– September 27, 2023

French language proficiency (2023-1)

• Number of invitations issued: 500
• Rank required to be invited to apply: 500 or above
• Date and time of round: September 27, 2023 at 14:17:04 UTC
• CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 472
• Tie-breaking rule: August 16, 2023 at 09:00:14 UTC

CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of September 26, 2023

What does “Category-based selection” mean?

IRCC Declared 3 months ago that it would start selecting Express Entry candidates for drawings based on a single characteristic rather than their entire CRS score.

Following a change to the immigration minister the power to choose Express Entry Candidates who are likely to help Canada achieve its goal to strengthen the economy and promote the French language outside of Quebec. The introduction of categories was anticipated to happen this year.

To that purpose, 6 new categories for highly sought-after professions and recent immigrants with a command of French language skills were developed. The 5 categories  depending on occupations are:

• Trade
• Healthcare
• STEM careers
• Transportation 
• Agriculture and agri-food

With the exception of agriculture and agri-food IRCC has held drawings in each of these classes since the 1st category-based draw for healthcare employees on June 28 this year. Applicants with having good command of French language skills have received the most category-base ITAs (6,900). To be eligible for category-based selection, applicants must be in the Express Entry pool and have a minimum CRS score.

Understand the Express Entry System

Express Entry gives a pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers in Canada or overseas. For potential skilled foreign workers, Express Entry will result in fast processing times of 6 months or less. Express Entry manages applications for permanent residence under these federal economic immigration programs:

• The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• The Canadian Experience Class (CES)

Provinces and territories can also recruit candidates from Express Entry through their Provincial Nominee Programs to meet local labor market requirements. Express Entry works with the following steps:

• Create your profile;
• You will be sent in the Express Entry pool if succeed you will provide an;
• Invitation to Apply ITAs;
• Apply for permanent residence online.

You have 2 months to submit your application. After that IRCC authorities will check your eligibility to welcome you into the country.

Express Entry Program and the definition of its terms

Eligible foreign national: It means a foreign national whose expression of interest is in the express entry pool established by the Express Entry Instructions.

Express Entry Instructions: This means the Ministerial Instructions Respecting the Express Entry System, as published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on December 1, 2014, as amended from time to time. (Instructions concernant le système Entrée express)

Specific ranking: It means (a) for a class referred to in any of paragraphs 2(a) to(c) of the Express Entry Instructions, the ranking established only among the eligible foreign nationals who are eligible to be invited to make an application in that class; and (b) for the class referred to in paragraph 2(d) of those Instructions, the ranking established only among the eligible foreign nationals who are members of that class. (classement spécifique)

Invitation: It has the same meaning as in section 1 of the Express Entry Instructions.