Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has been actively conducting Express Entry draws, inviting candidates to apply for permanent residency. The latest all-program draw issued 4,750 invitations with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement of 561. Notably, this draw marks the first since October 26, following a brief hiatus due to technical issues with the Express Entry Profile Builder.
Earlier, on October 26, IRCC focused on healthcare occupations, issuing 3,600 invitations with a lower CRS score requirement of 431. Additionally, there were two specialized draws: one on October 25 for French-speaking candidates (300 ITAs, minimum CRS of 486), and another on October 24 targeting Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates (1,548 ITAs, minimum CRS of 776).
Introduced in May, category-based selection targets specific attributes such as language proficiency or experience in sectors like healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, and agriculture. This approach addresses labor shortages affecting Canada's economy and critical sectors. With the impending retirement of up to nine million Canadians by 2030, IRCC’s Immigration Levels Plan aims to admit 114,000 Federal High Skilled immigrants annually by 2025.
Express Entry manages applications for permanent residence from candidates in Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades Programs. Using the CRS, candidates are scored on factors like work experience, language ability, and education. Those with the highest scores receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and have 60 days to submit their final application. IRCC processes most Express Entry applications within six months.