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Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has resumed Express Entry draws after a two-month hiatus, issuing a total of 5,900 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the third draw of the week on December 8. This targeted draw was specifically aimed at candidates with professional experience in STEM-related professions, requiring a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 481, which was five points lower than the previous STEM draw.
The December 8 draw marked the 38th round of invitations in 2023, bringing the total ITAs issued by IRCC this year to 106,871— a substantial increase compared to the 45,115 ITAs issued in the entirety of 2022.
This week's draws also included a December 7 draw for French speakers, issuing 1,000 invitations with a minimum score of 470, and a December 6 all-program draw that invited 4,750 candidates with a CRS score of 561. The resumption of draws signifies Canada's commitment to meeting its record immigration target of 465,000 for 2023 and marks a notable contrast to the limited activity at this time in 2022.
IRCC Issues Over 100,000 ITAs in 2023 Express Entry Draws
Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has resumed its Express Entry draws after a hiatus of more than two months. In the third draw of the week, conducted on December 8, the department issued 5,900 invitations to apply (ITAs) for candidates with professional experience in STEM-related professions.
This targeted draw required candidates to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 481 to be considered. The CRS score for this draw was five points lower than the previous draw targeting STEM workers. The lower score reflects the country's ongoing efforts to attract skilled workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.
The December 8 draw marked the 38th round of invitations under Express Entry in 2023, bringing the total number of ITAs issued by IRCC to 106,871 for the year. In comparison, the department issued 45,115 ITAs in the entirety of 2022, showcasing a significant increase in invitation numbers.
This week's draws have seen a diverse focus, with the December 7 draw targeting French speakers, issuing 1,000 invitations with a minimum score of 470 points. The draw on December 6 was an all-program draw, inviting 4,750 candidates with a CRS score of 561.
The recent round of invitations also implemented a tie-breaking rule on December 7, 2023, at 10:02 pm EST. This rule ensures that if multiple candidates share the minimum CRS score, only those who submitted their Express Entry profiles before this date and time receive invitations.
The resumption of Express Entry draws follows a pause in activity that lasted for more than two months. The last draw targeting STEM workers occurred on July 5, with 500 ITAs issued and a minimum CRS score of 486. This round marked the first set of invitations for STEM workers in 2023.
Candidates who have received ITAs in the recent draws have a 60-day window to submit their applications, with processing expected to occur within the standard six-month timeframe.
Employers looking to recruit foreign workers are encouraged to explore options such as securing a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or nomination under provincial nomination programs (PNPs) for long-term retention of employees.
As the Express Entry draws continue, candidates are advised to secure an approved offer of employment, as it remains one of the best pathways to guaranteeing an ITA in the next round of invitations.
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