Canada has conducted its first Express Entry draw in nearly two months and the largest since the resumption of all-program draws in July 2022.
The January 11 draw saw 5,500 Invitations to Apply issued, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 507.
The minimum CRS score was 16 points higher than the previous draw, which took place on November 23. The increase was expected given the large gap between the draws, understood to have been caused by a computer glitch following the launch of the new National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021).
As of January 11, there were 71,758 candidates in the pool with a CRS score over 451. Competition remains fierce for Canada’s popular merit-based immigration program.
With more frequent draws and the increase in the number of invitations issued, the minimum threshold score is expected to reduce further in the coming months.
These are Canada’s first Express Entry ITAs of 2023. It issued 45,115 ITAs in 2022, with all-program draws on hold for six months as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada tackle a huge application backlog.
IRCC issued a record 114,431 ITAs in 2021, all to Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Program candidates. It beat the previous record of 107,350 set in 2020.
The latest draw saw the tie-breaking rule implemented on December 6, 2022, at 7 am EST. If more than one candidate had the minimum CRS score, only those who submitted their Express Entry profiles before this date and time received invitations.
This was the first round of invitations under Express Entry in 2023 and 237th overall.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada says new applications will be processed in the six-month standard for Express Entry. Candidates have a 60-day window to submit their applications.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an immigration system implemented by Canadian immigration authorities (IRCC) on January 1, 2015 which manages skilled worker applications under Federal Economic programs. This includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program the Canada Experience Class and parts of the Provincial Nomination Programs.
Stakeholders expect to see high numbers of invitations return as Canada builds towards its target of 431,645 new permanent residents in 2022. CRS scores continue to fall after the resumption of all-program draws in July 2022.
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What Can Employers Do to Recruit Foreign Workers?
Employers are encouraged to consider securing an LMIA or nomination under provincial nomination programs (PNPs) to ensure long-term retention of employees.
At immigration.ca we provide Canadian employers with unparalleled immigration legal services and recruitment of foreign nationals through our in-house skilledworker.com. We bring qualified candidates to Canada in the shortest time possible. Employers in a wide range of industries can directly benefit from our unique position as one of Canada’s leading immigration firms in the industry, with a strong online presence, to meet both their recruitment and immigration requirements.
Interested employers wishing to seek our assistance are invited to contact us here for further information.
What Should Candidates Do Next?
It is difficult to predict what CRS scores will be required to secure an ITA in 2023, although the number is expected to drop as regular all-program draws continue.
Securing an approved offer of employment is highly recommended.
Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free online evaluation. We will provide you with your evaluation results within 1-2 business days.
Resources:
- Immigration.ca News Articles – A daily news source outlining the latest developments in immigration, employment and the economy with commentaries by Attorney Colin Singer.
- At skilledworker.com we are dedicated to developing long-term strategic alliances with client companies and candidates alike. We strictly adhere to our guiding principles of honesty, integrity and confidentiality.
Colin R. Singer is immigration counsel for www.immigration.ca and Managing Partner of skilledworker.com. He is one of Canada’s foremost senior corporate immigration attorneys. Colin is internationally recognized as an experienced and recommended authority on Canadian immigration and foreign recruitment. In addition to being licensed human resources professional, he is a licensed Canadian lawyer in good standing with the Quebec Law Society for more than 25 years and is authorized by the Canadian government in all immigration matters.
