Canada PR – IRCC Invites 9,800 Candidates in Recent Express Entry Draws

In a remarkable development, Canada has recently ramped up its Express Entry draws, conducting them with heightened frequency. Over the span of just two weeks, a staggering total of six rounds of invitations have been issued, resulting in a significant surge in the number of candidates invited through the Express Entry system.

The cumulative effect has been the extended invitation of an impressive 9,800 candidates, marking a substantial milestone in Canada’s immigration landscape.

In this article, we will provide an overview of the recent draws, highlighting notable developments and key selection criteria.

Canada’s Recent Express Entry Draws

1. French-Speaking Candidates

A Landmark Draw A remarkable milestone was achieved when the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its inaugural French category-based Express Entry draw. This draw focused on inviting candidates with exceptional French-speaking abilities.

A total of 2,300 candidates meeting the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 439 were invited, the lowest score observed in 2023.

2. Healthcare Professionals

A Targeted Invitation Another recent draw aimed to invite candidates with work experience in healthcare professions. This draw, which occurred on July 6, saw 1,500 candidates being invited. The anticipation for this draw stemmed from the announcement of the first-ever Express Entry invitations for 500 healthcare professionals on June 27.

3. STEM Professionals

A Special Invitation On July 5, a specific draw exclusively targeted candidates working in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions. A total of 500 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 486 received invitations, marking the first occurrence of such a draw.

4. All-Program Draw

Unexpected and Competitive Adding to the series of draws, an unexpected all-program draw was held on July 4. In this draw, 700 candidates were considered, with a requirement of a CRS score of 511, the highest among all program draws in 2023.

Key Highlights and Selection Criteria

1. Invitations for French Speakers

One noteworthy aspect is that strong French-speaking abilities are the sole category-based selection criterion that does not rely on work experience. This approach aims to support economic growth through Francophone immigration outside of Quebec while acknowledging its enriching impact on local communities.

2. Category-Based Selection

Canada’s immigration minister, Sean Fraser, announced new categories for category-based selection on May 31. These categories, established following a law passed in June, grant the minister the authority to invite economic immigration candidates based on specific attributes rather than their overall CRS score.

The categories for 2023 encompass healthcare, STEM professions, trades, transport, agriculture and agri-food, and strong French-language proficiency. These categories will be reviewed annually and may undergo modifications in 2024.

Conclusion

The recent Express Entry draws in Canada have witnessed increased frequency and a diverse range of selection criteria. The inclusion of category-based selection opens new avenues for candidates with specialized skills and language abilities.

These developments highlight Canada’s commitment to attracting talented individuals and promoting linguistic diversity while contributing to the growth and strength of its communities.