The fifteenth Express Entry draw of 2023, conducted by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), invited 4,300 candidates in an all-program draw. Candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 486. This draw followed a similar one on June 8, which invited 4,800 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 486.
IRCC has also announced the introduction of category-based selection draws for Express Entry candidates in six new categories, including healthcare, STEM professions, trades, transport, agriculture, and agri-food. Candidates with work or language experience in these selected occupations will receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the upcoming draws. Healthcare and STEM occupations make up a significant portion of the eligible occupations.
Candidates must be in the Express Entry pool to be eligible for an ITA, and a high CRS score remains relevant, with those having higher scores being more likely to receive an ITA. The chosen categories were determined through discussions with provinces, territories, and stakeholders, and the results and success of the draws will be included in the annual report to parliament. It's important to note that the categories can change from year to year.
Express Entry is an application management system overseeing Canada's Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades Program. Eligible candidates create a profile and receive a score based on various factors. The highest-scoring candidates are more likely to receive an ITA. Once an ITA is issued, candidates must submit their final application for permanent residency within 60 days, after which it is reviewed by an immigration officer for a decision on permanent residency.