Express Entry is an application management system that oversees candidates in the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). It also manages a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
New Canadian government data details the human capital profiles of Express Entry invitees between January and September 2023. There are ITAs per program, province, Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, age, and occupation.
Invitations by program
ITAs were mostly given to Canadian Experience Class candidates in the first nine months of 2023. All CEC candidates have one year of qualified Canadian work experience and meet the IRCC language proficiency requirements. Nearly 45% of ITAs went to 23,910 CEC candidates.
ITAs were second highest for Federal Skilled Worker Program candidates at 15,855 (30%) and third highest for Provincial Nominee Program candidates at 13,655. Candidates in the FSTP received no ITAs.
Invitations by CRS score
Approximately 50% of the candidates in the Express Entry system, namely 26,070 individuals, obtained a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score ranging from 451 to 500. Additionally, there were 11,640 candidates who achieved scores between 501 and 600.
A total of 225 candidates in the Express Entry system were issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score ranging from 601 to 700. Additionally, 60 candidates received an ITA with a CRS score between 701 and 800. An additional 790 individuals achieved scores within the range of 80-900.
Invitations by province
More than half of Express Entry applicants lived or planned to live in Ontario. These contestants received 31,550 ITAs. With 10,655 ITAs, British Columbia was second, and Alberta had 5,280. Nova Scotia got 1,595 ITAs. All other remaining provinces had fewer than 1,500 each.
Invitations by age
Most of the people who got an ITA were between the ages of 19 and 29. A total of 28,970 applicants in their 20s were given ITAs. 20,865 more people in their 30s were asked to apply. Not more than 4,000 people in their 40s or older were given ITAs.
IRCC gives younger candidates a higher CRS score based on a longitudinal Statistics Canada study showing younger newcomers have more time to integrate into the Canadian job market.
Express Entry immigration levels
From January through September 2023, more people applied through Express Entry than in 2022 (37,335), but not as many as in 2021 (108,105). The pandemic made the last two years unusual. IRCC boosted ITAs to CEC candidates in 2021 to aid over 400,000 immigrants during the pandemic, including border limitations. This caused a backlog and slower service standards, so IRCC reduced Express Entry ITAs in 2022.
IRCC expects 110,770 Express Entry permanent resident admissions to Canada in 2024, rising to 117,500 in 2025 and 2026. ITAs are given less than admissions since Express Entry candidates can land with their partners and children who match IRCC criteria.
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Conclusion
Express Entry, Canada’s immigration management system, facilitates applications for skilled workers through various programs. Data from January to September 2023 reveals trends in candidate profiles, with the majority of invitations issued to Canadian Experience Class applicants. Significant numbers of candidates scored between 451 and 600 on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Ontario emerged as the top destination province, and younger applicants were favored. Despite pandemic challenges, Express Entry remains a key pathway to Canadian immigration, with projected increases in permanent resident admissions.