1,613 PNP candidates invited in the latest Express Entry draw

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has just conducted another Express Entry draw, inviting 1,613 candidates to apply for permanent residency in Canada. This draw specifically targeted candidates with Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nominations, requiring a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 743 for consideration.

The most recent Express Entry draw prior to this occurred on September 19, where 4,000 candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) were invited. In that draw, candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 509, slightly higher than the previous CEC draw on August 27, where the score was 507. This marks a steady increase in CRS scores for CEC candidates, reflecting the IRCC’s strategy of focusing on domestic candidates.

The focus on CEC candidates has been notable in recent months. Since July, the IRCC has invited a total of 21,800 CEC candidates, emphasizing the department's goal of increasing permanent residency opportunities for individuals already residing in Canada. This approach aligns with the IRCC’s broader objective to reduce the number of temporary residents in the country while boosting the number of permanent residents. By doing so, the department aims to meet its ambitious immigration targets for the year.

Today's draw marks the first for the month of October. In comparison, last year, the IRCC held four draws in October, inviting a total of 9,173 candidates. As this month progresses, it will be interesting to see if the trend continues and how many more candidates will be invited through additional draws.

The Express Entry system was introduced in 2015 as a method for managing economic immigration applications more efficiently. It assesses candidates from three main programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which evaluates factors such as work experience, age, education, language proficiency, and occupation. Additional points can be awarded for factors like having a sibling in Canada or immigrating with a spouse or partner.

To boost their chances of receiving an invitation, candidates aim to achieve high CRS scores. While higher scores improve the likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), recent developments have introduced new draw categories that focus on specific professions and skills.

Since May 2023, the IRCC has initiated category-based draws to address labor market demands in key sectors. These categories include healthcare, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions, trades, transport, agriculture, agri-food, and French-language proficiency. These targeted draws help the IRCC prioritize candidates who can contribute to urgent workforce needs in Canada. While CRS scores for these category-based draws tend to be lower than general or program-specific draws, candidates still need to maintain a competitive score to be considered.

In addition to addressing labor market gaps, the category-based draws are part of the IRCC's commitment to welcoming French-speaking newcomers, particularly outside Quebec. This is part of the government’s target to ensure that 6% of all new immigrants belong to French-minority communities, helping to preserve and strengthen linguistic diversity in the country.

Express Entry continues to be a vital tool for selecting skilled immigrants who can fill important roles in Canada’s economy. As draws continue, the system remains dynamic, adjusting to evolving immigration goals and labor market needs.