The latest Express Entry draw, conducted by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), saw the issuance of invitations to apply (ITAs). In this all-program draw, 3,725 candidates were invited, each requiring a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 500. This draw followed three consecutive draws during the week of September 25.
The initial draw on September 26 invited 3,000 candidates with a minimum CRS of 504 in an all-program draw. The second draw on September 27, specifically for French-speaking proficiency, invited 500 candidates with a minimum CRS of 472.
The final draw of the week, on September 28, invited 600 candidates with a minimum CRS of 354, marking the first-ever category-based draw for candidates in agriculture and agri-food occupations.
This draw signifies that IRCC has now extended invitations to candidates from all six new categories eligible under category-based selection.
IRCC Disclosed Year-End Express Entry Report 2022
In a related development, IRCC released its annual report on Express Entry on September 26, revealing 24 draws in 2022, resulting in 46,539 ITAs. This represents a 59% decrease compared to 2021, mainly due to a pause in Express Entry draws for Federal High Skilled programs between September 2021 and July 2022.
Most Express Entry ITAs in 2022 were issued to candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (19,258) and the Canadian Experience Class (18,895). The final 8,386 ITAs were issued to candidates under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, with no invitations issued through the Federal Skilled Trades Program in 2022.
Occupations such as software engineers, designers, information systems specialists, computer systems developers, and programmers were commonly selected for ITAs, along with food service supervisors and cooks.
More than 30,000 ITAs went to residents of Canada, while the remaining invitations were extended to candidates residing in India (3,787) or Nigeria (1,730).
Category-Based Selection
The concept of category-based selection was introduced in June 2022 when changes were made to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, allowing the immigration minister to select immigrants based on attributes aligning with Canada’s economic priorities.
In May 2023, IRCC introduced six new Express Entry categories, including Healthcare, STEM professions, Trades, Transport, Agriculture and agri-food, and Strong French abilities.
These categories were chosen following consultations with IRCC partners, stakeholders, and provincial governments. In some ways, they reflect existing streams under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), with the new category-based selection drawing candidates to apply directly to IRCC for permanent residence.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an application management system overseeing the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Eligible candidates need a minimum CRS score based on work experience, language ability, occupation, age, and education.
Those with the highest scores are more likely to receive an ITA in an Express Entry draw, leading to the application for permanent residency. IRCC aims to process 80% of all Express Entry applications within six months.
Express Entry Draw Results Summary Since June 2023
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
| Sept 28 | Agriculture and agri-food occupations | 600 | 354 |
| Sept 27 | French language proficiency | 500 | 472 |
| Sept 26 | All-program | 3,000 | 504 |
| Sept 20 | Transport occupations | 1,000 | 435 |
| Sept 19 | All-program | 3,200 | 531 |
| Aug 15 | All-program | 4,300 | 496 |
| Aug 3 | Trade occupations | 1,500 | 388 |
| Aug 2 | French language proficiency | 800 | 435 |
| Aug 1 | All-program | 2,000 | 517 |
| July 12 | French language proficiency | 3,800 | 375 |
| July 11 | All-program | 800 | 505 |
| July 7 | French language proficiency | 2,300 | 439 |
| July 6 | Healthcare occupations | 1,500 | 463 |
| July 5 | STEM occupations | 500 | 486 |
| July 4 | All-program | 700 | 511 |
| June 28 | Healthcare occupations | 500 | 476 |
| June 27 | All-program | 4,300 | 486 |
| June 8 | All-program | 4,800 | 486 |
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