The IRCC has issued invitations for the thirteenth Express Entry draw of 2023.
In an all-program draw, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 4,800 invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates.
A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 488 was required for candidates.
Since April 26, this was the first all-program draw. In an all-program draw, individuals are considered from all three Express Entry programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
This draw comes after the most recent one on May 10, when 589 candidates were awarded ITAs in a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-specific draw. Candidates are only considered in a PNP only draw if they are in the Express Entry pool and have been nominated by a Canadian province.
Express Entry Draws in 2023:
Express Entry has yet to establish a distinct pattern in terms of the number of candidates invited, the frequency of draws, or even the style of draws during 2023.
The January drawings were held two weeks apart, as was customary prior to the pandemic, and invited candidates from all programs. This changed in February, when the IRCC staged four program-specific lotteries between February 1 and March 1 of this year. The FSWP also held its first program-specific draw in February.
In February, there were three draws, while in March, there was one draw per week. During the month of March, over 21,000 candidates were invited. In Express Entry history, this was the second-highest amount of ITAs issued in a single month.
The pre-pandemic schedule of one all-program draw every two weeks was resumed in April.
Later this year, it is likely that IRCC will begin holding draws that focus on specific Express Entry criteria rather than a high CRS score. Bill C-19 obtained Royal Assent in June 2022, making this possible.
The Bill will empower Canada's immigration minister to invite applicants who can best serve Canada's economic goals by relieving pressure in specific areas caused by persistent worker shortages.
The IRCC and the immigration minister have complete authority over Express Entry draws. There is no rule in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that specifies when draws will take place, which programs will be used, the number of candidates, or the minimal CRS cut-off score. To put it another way, IRCC is under no need to follow a pattern or even hold draws if the minister does not feel it necessary.