Canada PR: IRCC Issues 1325 Invitations in Latest Express Entry Draw

In the most recent Express Entry draw conducted by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), a total of 1,325 candidates have been invited to apply for permanent residence.

This all-program draw took place on December 18, with candidates requiring a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 542 to be eligible for an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Recap of Recent Express Entry Draws

The December 18 draw follows a series of recent Express Entry draws, each with its unique focus and criteria:

December 8 (STEM Occupations): A category-based selection draw targeting candidates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) occupations resulted in 5,900 candidates receiving ITAs. The minimum CRS score for eligibility was 481.

December 7 (French Language Proficiency): Another category-based draw, this time focusing on individuals with French language proficiency, invited 1,000 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 470.

December 6 (All-Program): A broader draw on December 6 saw 4,750 candidates receiving ITAs, requiring a minimum CRS score of 561.

Also Read: Canada Express Entry Applicants No Longer Need Upfront Medical Exams

Brief Pause in Draws Explained

Before the recent draws, there was a temporary pause in Express Entry draws, which raised questions among applicants.

IRCC had reported an IT issue with the Express Entry profile builder on November 14, affecting candidates trying to submit their final applications. Although the glitch was fixed by November 16, draws did not immediately resume.

The reasons for the pause could be attributed to various factors such as meeting immigration targets, IT issues, staffing changes, or updates to the Comprehensive Ranking System.

Express Entry Overview

Express Entry is an application management system overseeing three key economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

The system uses the Comprehensive Ranking System to assess candidates based on human capital factors like work experience, language ability, education, age, and occupation.

Candidates with higher CRS scores are more likely to receive an ITA for permanent residence in upcoming draws. Once an ITA is received, candidates can submit their applications to IRCC, with a processing service standard of six months.

Also Read: Canada Express Entry: Over 2 Lakhs STEM Jobs Available

What’s New?

• IRCC introduced category-based selection rounds in May 2023, focusing on specific skills and professions needed in Canada’s workforce.
• This draw marks a return to all-program selections, offering broader opportunities for skilled workers across various professions.

Category-Based Selection Rounds

Introduced in May, category-based selection rounds focus on specific attributes deemed in demand for Canada’s workforce and economy. Categories include:

• Healthcare
• STEM Professions
• Trades
• Transport
• Agriculture and Agri-food
• French Language Proficiency

ITAs issued through these rounds contribute to the targets for Federal High Skilled (Express Entry) workers in the Immigration Levels Plan. Canada aims to admit up to 114,000 new permanent residents annually through Express Entry by the end of 2025.