After Oct 26, New Express Entry Draw announced on 6th Dec: 4750 ITAs

On Dec 6, 2023, the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted an Express Entry draw. It was a long-awaited draw that issued 4,750 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in an all-program draw. To qualify, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 561. However, a temporary setback occurred when some applicants encountered difficulties using the Express Entry Profile Builder, preventing them from submitting their applications. IRCC acknowledged these issues on November 14, but by November 16, they reported that the problem had been resolved. It remains unclear whether this technical glitch contributed to the extended gap between draws.

The Key Highlights of the Express Entry Draw – 6 DEC

• ITA – 4750

CRS  score – 561 points 

In a previous draw on October 26, there were 3,600 candidates who received ITAs in a category-based selection draw for healthcare occupations. The applicants required a minimum CRS score of 431. Furthermore, there were two additional draws in the same week. On October 25, IRCC invited 300 candidates demonstrating French-speaking proficiency, mandating a minimum CRS score of 486 for eligibility. These recent draws reflect IRCC's ongoing efforts to attract skilled individuals and address labor market needs in Canada. Another draw was on October 24, in which the IRCC issued invited to 1,548 candidates in a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-only draw. The minimum required score was 776 points. 

Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2023
 

What is category based Express Entry Draws?

The Express Entry Category-based selection is a method employed by Canada's Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to target specific groups of candidates within the Express Entry system. In May of this year, IRCC introduced category-based selection Express Entry rounds of invitations. These draws are designed to focus on candidates who possess specific attributes, like proficiency in the French language or work experience in particular occupations, namely Healthcare,

•   STEM professions,
•   Trades,
•   Transport,
•   Agriculture and agri-food.

These occupations have been grappling with shortages of skilled workers, which have had adverse effects on Canada's economy, thus the intake of skilled workers is vital to address these shortages. Hence a separate category of express entry draw has been introduced along with the regular draws that specifically target these occupations. 

The IRCC is also conducting the regular Express entry draws and they are not suspended owing to the new category based express entry draws in the system.  The interested candidates can start the application process by entering the express entry pool.