Express Entry: Canada organises the largest all-program draw in history, inviting 7,000 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 490. Since January 18, this is the first all-program draw.

Today, the IRCC held the sixth Express Entry draw for 2023.

7,000 individuals with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 490 received invites from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The number of ITAs in this draw exceeds the previous record of 5,500 candidates invited in the January 18 all-program draw. Candidates from all three Express Entry programmes are considered in an all-program draw: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

This draw deviates from a pattern of program-specific drawings that have occurred during the last two months. There have been four program-specific rounds of invites since the last all-program draw, three for PNP-only candidates and one for FSWP candidates. On March 1, just 697 individuals earned ITAs in the most recent PNP-only draw.

Prior to 2023, all Express Entry draws were all-program draws that welcomed over 1,000 candidates each time and grew as the minimum CRS score lowered.

The IRCC has released Express Entry data for 2021.

A recent IRCC report summarises Express Entry data for 2021, which was a one-of-a-kind year in the program's history.

All programme drawings were paused beginning in December 2020 to alleviate the backlog generated by COVID-19-related travel restrictions and border closures. IRCC continued to issue ITAs to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates until September 2021, when CEC draws were also halted.

In total, 114,431 ITAs were awarded in 2021. In 2021, there were no all-program Express Entry drawings. All 42 Express Entry draws were program specific for the PNP and the CEC and no ITAs were issued to FSWP or Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) candidates.

Over half, 64%, of ITAs were issued to recipients between the ages of 20-29 years. Under the Comprehensive Ranking System, candidates in this age range receive 100 CRS points. Candidates receive fewer points after they turn 30.

What is Express Entry?

The Express Entry application management system oversees three programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) are already eligible for at least one Express Entry program.

Express Entry programs rank candidates using the points-based Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Points are awarded based on work experience, language ability, education, and human capital factors. Candidates with the highest scores will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and can then apply for permanent residency.

A candidate has 60 days to complete and submit their application. An IRCC officer then reviews the application and decides if the candidate is approved.