Canada's First PNP Draw Since May Invites 1,548 Candidates

The latest Express Entry draw in Canada has seen 1,548 candidates being invited under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The draw, conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), required candidates to meet a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 776.

Canada Invites PNP Candidates in First Express Entry Draw Since May

Notably, this marks the fifth PNP-only draw of 2023 for IRCC and the first exclusive PNP draw since May 10, 2023.

Date Draw Type No. Of ITAs CRS
Oct 10 All-program 3,725 500
Sept 28 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 600 354
Sept 27 French language proficiency 500 472
Sept 26 All-program 3,000 504
Sept 20 Transport occupations 1,000 435
Sept 19 All-program 3,200 531

Express Entry, the application management system utilized by Canada's federal government, plays a pivotal role in managing immigration applications for the following programs:

This system operates two distinct types of draws:

  • standard Express Entry draws, and
  • category-based selection draws.

While standard Express Entry draws follow the traditional process established in 2015, category-based selection draws prioritize candidates specific traits or work experience aligning with Canada's current labor market needs. These traits encompass:

  • French-language proficiency or
  • recent work experience in key sectors such as:
    • healthcare,
    • STEM professions,
    • trades,
    • transport,
    • agriculture, and
    • agri-food.

One can attribute the recent surge in popularity of the PNP draws under the Express Entry system to the specific needs of Canada's labor market. This has resulted in an increasing number of candidates opting for the Provincial Nominee Program as a viable route toward securing permanent residence in Canada.

In 2023, IRCC has consistently conducted draws with varying minimum CRS scores, catering to candidates with diverse profiles and skill sets.

The data from recent Express Entry draws further emphasizes the inclusive approach taken by IRCC, promoting the selection of candidates with proficiency in specific fields, thereby addressing the pressing labor market gaps.

Express Entry Candidates No Longer Require Upfront Medical Examination

Candidates applying through Canada's Express Entry system will no longer be required to undergo an upfront medical examination, as of October 1, 2023. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that while the examination remains a requisite, candidates may now submit a blank document during the initial application.

IRCC will communicate further medical exam instructions at a later stage.

Learn more about the changes in the Express Entry application process and how it impacts prospective candidates.

BC Fast-Tracks Professional Immigrants

Premier David Eby and Workforce Development Minister Andrew Mercier unveiled Bill 38, aiming to streamline employment for foreign skilled workers in British Columbia.

Titled the International Credentials Recognition Act, the bill targets removing barriers and a faster credential recognition process for professionals across 29 occupations, including lawyers, engineers, and social workers.

If passed, the bill will revolutionize the employment process for immigrants, contributing significantly to the province's economic growth. Dive deeper into the proposed changes and their potential impact.

According to Eby,

“We have many unfair processes that force new arrivals to British Columbia to go through incredibly complex, contradictory, hard-to-understand, expensive, repetitive processes that are frustrating and ultimately cause people to give up and work in a field that they're not trained in.”

Furthermore, the proposed legislation seeks to eliminate redundant language testing requirements. Applicants who have already submitted valid language test results during their initial application process will no longer need to submit new language testing results, a provision that aims to streamline the overall immigration process.

To bolster the efficiency of the credential assessment process, Bill 38 introduces specific time constraints, ensuring that the maximum processing time for applications is capped. The bill also guarantees determinations on applications within a reasonable timeframe, with a commitment to providing communication on the assessment outcome within 14 days.

Additionally, the bill enforces the availability of credential-assessment information online, enhancing accessibility for applicants and promoting transparency in the process.

"Too often, artificial barriers to working in their fields limit new immigrants from contributing right away to help build our province to the full extent of their abilities,"

wrote Eby in his mandate letter to Mercier in December of 2022.

If approved, the bill is slated to come into effect in the summer of 2024, signaling a significant milestone in British Columbia's approach to fostering a diverse and skilled workforce. The proposed appointment of a new superintendent, tasked with championing fair credential recognition, underscores the province's commitment to welcoming and integrating skilled professionals from across the globe into its workforce.

These changes reflect the dynamic nature of Canada's immigration policies, underscoring the country's commitment to welcoming skilled individuals who can contribute to its growing economy and diverse workforce. The PNP draw represents Canada's ongoing efforts to streamline the immigration process, ensuring the country continues to benefit from a pool of talented and diverse professionals from around the world.

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