Canada Held First Express Entry Draw of 2023

On January 11, 2023, Canada held the first Express Entry draw of the year. Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 5,500 invitations to apply. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 507.

The latest Express Entry Draw #237 comes after the previous one held on November 23, 2022.

The new Express Entry Draw invitations to apply (ITAs) were issued to candidates from the categories of Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). All these programs are operated under Express Entry System.

With 5,500 ITAs issued, the new EE draw is the largest compared to the previous all-program Express Entry draws. 

How are the candidates ranking for Express Entry Eligibility?

IRCC ranks the candidates in the pool based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The candidates with the highest rank in the pool will receive the invitation to apply. The highest-ranking candidates will be eligible to receive ITA for permanent residence.

What are the instructions included for each Express Entry invitation round?

The candidates must mind the date and time of the invitation round. Other vital instructions are -  the number of invitations to apply and issued to which immigration program (for instance, a round may only be held for one program). You must also check your CRS score along with the mentioned instructions to calculate the probability of getting an ITA for the next round.

CRS Score Distribution of Candidates in the Express Entry Pool as January 11, 2023

Canada Express Entry - Massive Change is Expected in 2023

IRCC is considering big changes in Express Entry this year. Likewise, on November 16, 2022, IRCC switched to NOC 2021 from NOC 2016. Post the NOC update, the system might determine the Express Entry eligibility based on a candidate’s profession and skill.

IRCC started categorizing jobs available in the Canadian labour market based on a new Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) system and no longer continues with the 0-D level system. Under the new NOC 2021, IRCC added 16 new eligible occupations that can apply for economic immigration programs under Express Entry.

Canada Allows 5,00,000 New Immigrants by 2025

In the last quarter of 2022, the Canadian government released immigration targets. The government targets to welcome 4,65,000 new immigrants by 2023. The New Immigration Levels Plan for 2023-2025 aims to invite 4,85,000 immigrants by 2024 and 5,00,000 by 2025.

The high immigration targets are to cover Canada’s critical labour shortage and improve the economy. The reported labour shortage is due to the low birth rate of 1.5 childbirth per woman - the lowest in the world. Additionally, Canada ranks at the top with the oldest population, where a quarter of the country's population will reach retirement age in the next five years. The combined factors are contributing to an increased labour shortage and higher immigration.

For more information on how to immigrate to Canada, get in touch today!