After a month-long break, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has finally held a round of Express Entry invitations.
To receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 531.
What is IRCC?
IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) is the federal department responsible for providing shelter for refugees and programs to help newcomers adjust to life in Canada.
IRCC also gives citizenship, issues travel documents (like passports) to Canadians, and promotes diverse cultures.
Why was the Express Entry draw delayed by a month?
As we all know, IRCC holds Express Entry draws every 15 days. Then why were there no draws this week? Why there was a month gap?
The simple answer to these questions is category-based selection. This new system has set new rules for immigration based on French language abilities, specific job occupations, and work experience. Candidates already had received ITAs through category-based selection, and holding an Express Entry draw would have been futile.
Express Entry draw results summary
| Date | ITAs | CRS | Draw Type |
| June 8 | 4800 | 486 | All-program |
| June 27 | 4300 | 486 | All-program
|
| June 28 | 500 | 476 | Healthcare occupations
|
| July 4 | 700 | 511 | All-program |
| July 5 | 500 | 486 | STEM occupations
|
| July 6 | 1500 | 463 | Healthcare occupations
|
| July 7 | 2300 | 439 | French language proficiency
|
| July 11 | 800 | 505 | All-program |
| July 12 | 3800 | 375 | French language proficiency
|
| Aug 1 | 2000 | 517 | All-program |
| Aug 2 | 800 | 435 | French language proficiency |
| Aug 3 | 1,500 | 388 | Trade occupations |
| Aug 15 | 4,300 | 496 | All-program |
What is category-based selection?
On May 31, IRCC presented six new categories for Express Entry nominees. One is for nominees with strong French language abilities. The remaining five focus on in-demand employment sectors currently experiencing a shortage of skilled labor:
- Technology
- Mathematics (STEM) professions
- Trades, such as plumbers, carpenters, and contractors
- Healthcare workers
- Engineers
- Transport
- Agriculture and agriculture-food
After the introduction of new categories, two draws for healthcare occupations have occurred, one for STEM occupations, one for skilled trades, and three for French speakers.
Category-based selection will help Canada attract top talent and meet the demand for efficient workers to support the economy, according to the IRCC.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an application management system used to manage applications for three economic immigration pathways in Canada: the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.
Every Express Entry draw has its selection criteria, but they all use Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points to evaluate and rank every candidate. They assign the CRS score based on age, qualification, work experience, and occupation.
A candidate who has a PNP nomination will receive an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. which guarantees them a secure selection in the upcoming Express Entry draw. The higher the scores, the higher the chances you will have of getting a permanent resident visa in Canada.
Also Read: Canada Immigration Policy: An Elaboration
