The latest Express Entry Draw by IRCC

The latest express entry draw was announced on 10 October 2023, by IRCC Immigration Refugees, Citizenship Canada. In this new all-program Express Entry draw, 3,725 invitations to apply were issued, with a minimum CRS score of 500.

Draw (No Program Specified) details are as follows:

• Number of invitations issued: 3,725
• Rank required to be invited to apply: 3,725 or above
• Date and time of round: October 10, 2023 at 15:49:55 UTC
• CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 500
• Tie-breaking rule: October 02, 2023 at 15:25:30 UTC

CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of October 10, 2023

Applicants needed at least 500 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores to obtain an invitation to Apply. About 3,000 applicants were invited for the first round of selection on September 26; each had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 504 in an all-program draw. Following that, on September 27, the second draw selected 500 applicants with a minimum CRS score of 472 based on their fluency in French. 

Following the sequence the first-ever category-based draw for candidates in agriculture and agri-food occupations was announced on September 28 and distributed to 600 ITAs by IRCC. In this draw, candidates were required to have a 354 CRS score. This demonstrates that IRCC has now issued ITAs from each of the 6 latest categories qualified under category-based selection.

Summary of Express Entry announcements since August 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

Except agriculture and agri-food, IRCC has held draws in each of these classes since the 1st category-based draw for healthcare employees on June 28 this year. Applicants with a good command of French language skills have received the most category-based 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.