IRCC, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, has conducted this week's second Express Entry lottery.
For French language proficiency, the department sent out 300 invitations to apply (ITAs) in a category-based selection draw. To be considered, candidates had to receive a minimum of 486 points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
This draw follows the most recent one on October 24, when 1,548 candidates were called to the first Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-the only draw since May 10 with a minimum CRS of 776.
Because candidates in the Express Entry pool who are also nominated by a province automatically receive an additional 600 CRS points, the minimum CRS score for PNP drawings is typically greater.
Express Entry draw summary since June 2023
There is no longer a mandatory upfront medical examination for Express Entry applicants:
Candidates for Express Entry no longer need to undergo an upfront immigrant medical examination (IME) before to submitting their application to the IRCC for permanent residence as of October 1st of this year.
While there is still an exam requirement, candidates can upload a blank document using the Express Entry profile builder's upload box. Additional instructions about your medical exam will be sent by IRCC at a later time.
It is not necessary to complete a second IME if the applicant has already completed one as part of an earlier IRCC application or if they are currently residents of Canada.
What is selection based on categories?
The CRS score is not the primary determining factor in the issuance of ITAs under the draw categories that the IRCC introduced earlier this year. The Immigration Minister may invite candidates who help to promote the French language outside the classroom or who address an economic need in Canada, according to a new law that was passed in June 2022.
As a result, in May of last year, the IRCC introduced six new draw categories for Express Entry candidates who either possessed strong French language skills or professional experience in:
Healthcare;
STEM professions;
Trades;
Transport;
Agriculture and agri-food
Since June, Canada has invited candidates ten times using category-based selection draws, for a total of more than 10,000 ITAs. Every applicant was already a part of the Express Entry pool.