Canada Invites 1,325 ITAs in All-Program Express Entry Draw

Canada holds an all-program draw after recent category-based selection rounds.

On December 18, 2023, the Canadian Government issued another 1,325 invitations through the Express Entry system. Those invited can now submit their complete applications for securing Canadian permanent residence. Applications can be submitted only after receiving a formal invitation to apply. These invitations are issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The latest Express Entry draw is the 275th draw to be held since the launch of the program in 2015. With the latest invitation round, Canada has issued a total of 108,196 ITAs so far in 2023.

Express Entry Draw #275

The latest round of invitations was conducted by IRCC on December 18, 2023 at 16:12:22 UTC. As it was a general draw, the ranking of the candidate was taken into consideration. To be eligible for an invitation in the latest Express Entry draw, the candidate must have a ranking score of at least 542 on the Comprehensive Ranking System. This is the CRS score of an EE candidate.

There are two scores that come into play in Express Entry selection. The first is the eligibility score. At least 67 points must be scored by a Canada PR hopeful for creating their Express Entry profile. Once the profile is in the pool of candidates, the next step is that of waiting for an invitation.

Express Entry profiles are ranked based on a 1,200-point CRS. The higher the CRS score, the better the chances of getting an invitation to apply. A profile can be made by securing 67 points on the Canada eligibility calculation. However, submission of Canada PR application is possible only after a formal invitation to apply.

Priority to profiles created earlier

IRCC tends to prioritize profiles created earlier over those entered in the pool at a later date. In the present IRCC draw, the tie-breaking rule applied was that of November 06, 2023 at 14:40:23 UTC.

The tie-breaking rule is applicable only to profiles that have the minimum cut-off. If more than one Express Entry candidate has the lowest score, their cut-off will be as per the date and time of their profile submission.

Who got invited in the December 18 Express Entry draw?

The latest round of invitations held by IRCC was for a general draw. Those invited were -

• Eligible for an Express Entry program,
• Ranked at least 1,325 in the pool,
• With a minimum CRS 542 as their score, and
• With their profile created before the tie-break applied.

Am I eligible for Express Entry selection?

Express Entry is an application management system. The system is used for handling the application process for skilled foreign workers that want to permanently settle in Canada. Three of the top Canada PR programs come under Express Entry. These are -

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP),
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Some immigration routes under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) are also linked with Express Entry. These have a faster application process which is completely online. Non Express Entry PNP pathways have a paper based application process.

Express Entry has a processing standard of within six months. Get your eligibility assessed to know your chances. Other routes to Canada PR are also available.