The second Express Entry draw of the week is held in Canada.
IRCC, 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. For consideration, candidates needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 486.

This draw follows the most recent one on October 24, when 1,548 candidates were called to the first Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-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.

Here are the specifics of the most recent Canada Express Entry draw for 2023:
Date of draw: October 25, 2023
Number of draw: 270
Draw kind: Based on category: proficiency in French
Cut-off CRS score: 486
300 ITAs were issued, the number of candidates invited to apply.

Express Entry: What Is It?

The Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class are managed using the application management system Express Entry.

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is used to evaluate candidates for these programs. Candidates are ranked by the algorithm according to their human capital characteristics, which include age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and occupation.

Every attribute is given a number, which, when added together, brings the total score to a maximum of 1200. The majority of minimal CRS cut-off scores fall between 350 and 550 (sometimes higher, depending on the type of draw), yet candidates rarely score this high. The candidates most likely to acquire an ITA to apply to the IRCC for permanent resident status are those with the highest scores.

Summary of Express Entry draws since June 2023

Express Entry candidates no longer require an upfront medical examination

Candidates for Express Entry are no longer required to undergo an upfront immigrant medical examination (IME) before 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 do 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 of the classroom or who address an economic need in Canada, according to a new law that was passed in June 2022.

As a result, the IRCC announced six new draw categories in May of last year for Express Entry applicants who either had work experience in or a strong command of French:

Healthcare, STEM fields, commerce, transportation, 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.

Contact Mr. Usman Khalil who is a IRCC licensed Immigration Advisor and Chartered Professional Accountant who can simplify your journey to Canada. Visit www.makimmigration.ca or email Mr. Usman at usman@makimmigration.ca