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Canada Express Entry 2023: A Comprehensive Review of the Year’s Highlights

Canada Express Entry 2023: A Comprehensive Review of the Year's Highlights

Table of Contents

In 2023, Canadian immigration underwent substantial changes, introducing new policies and measures. Among these shifts, a recurring theme was the enduring significance of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores in the immigration pathways of Express Entry candidates. Notably, the targeting and invitation of applicants based on specific groups of occupations according to the new National Occupational System 2021 stood out as an independent factor, adding a nuanced layer to the immigration landscape.

Throughout 2023, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) executed a total of 42 Express Entry draws. In the initial fifteen draws, Express Entry maintained established patterns, extending invitations to applicants across various programs, encompassing Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)  (➨page), Federal Skilled Trades (FST) (➨page), Canadian Experience Class (CEC) (➨page), and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) (➨page).

Category-based Selection Rounds

The IRCC has initiated draws for Express Entry based on categories. This shift in the process marks a significant change for Express Entry. Many applicants are now eager to understand how these changes will impact their Express Entry applications.

Category-specific invitation rounds will complement the regular Express Entry selection rounds, encompassing the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). Eligibility for category-based selection is reserved for candidates who are eligible for one of the three Express Entry programs and have an active profile in the Express Entry system. 

Categories for 2023

These are categories for category-based selection for Express Entry in 2023:

  1. French-language proficiency
  2. Healthcare occupations
  3. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
  4. Trade occupations
  5. Transport occupations
  6. Agriculture and agri-food occupations

The first category-specific draw occurred on June 28, 2023 inviting over 500 healthcare professionals. Subsequently, the IRCC has extended invitations to more than 25,000 Express Entry applicants through this category-based selection process.

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Which category had the most draws in 2023?

Category Number of Draws Invitations Lowest CRS Highest CRS
French language proficiency 6 8,700 375 486
Healthcare occupations 3 5,600 431 476
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) 2 6,400 481 486
Trade occupations 2 2,500 388 425
Transport occupations 2 1,670 435 435
Agriculture and agri-food occupations 2 1,000 354 386

CRS Score Range

Recent data from the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sheds light on the distribution of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in 2023, specifically within various Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score ranges.

 
CRS Score Invitations
350-400 6,300
401-450 9,370
451-500 65,200
501-600 25,000
600 or above 4,396

Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.

All Express Entry Draws in 2023

 
Draw Date Draw Type ITAs CRS
237 January 11, 2023 No Program Specified 5,500 507
238 January 18, 2023 No Program Specified 5,500 490
239 February 1, 2023 Provincial Nominee Program 893 733
240 February 2, 2023 Federal Skilled Worker 3,300 489
241 February 15, 2023 Provincial Nominee Program 699 791
242 March 1, 2023 Provincial Nominee Program 667 748
243 March 15, 2023 No Program Specified 7,000 490
244 March 23, 2023 No Program Specified 7,000 484
245 March 29, 2023 No Program Specified 7,000 481
246 April 12, 2023 No Program Specified 3,500 486
247 April 26, 2023 No Program Specified 3,500 483
248 May 10, 2023 Provincial Nominee Program 589 691
249 May 24, 2023 No Program Specified 4,800 488
250 June 8, 2023 No Program Specified 4,800 486
251 June 27, 2023 No Program Specified 4,300 486
252 June 28, 2023 Healthcare occupations 500 476
253 July 4, 2023 No Program Specified 700 511
254 July 5, 2023 STEM occupations 500 486
255 July 6, 2023 Healthcare occupations 1,500 463
256 July 7, 2023 French language proficiency 2,300 439
257 July 11, 2023 No Program Specified 800 505
258 July 12, 2023 French language proficiency 3,800 375
259 August 1, 2023 No Program Specified 2,000 517
260 August 2, 2023 French language proficiency 800 435
261 August 3, 2023 Trade occupations 1,500 388
262 August 15, 2023 No Program Specified 4,300 496
263 September 19, 2023 No Program Specified 3,200 531
264 September 20, 2023 Transport occupations 1,000 435
265 September 26, 2023 No Program Specified 3,000 504
266 September 27, 2023 French language proficiency 500 472
267 September 28, 2023 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 600 354
268 October 10, 2023 No Program Specified 3,725 500
269 October 24, 2023 Provincial Nominee Program 1,548 776
270 October 25, 2023 French language proficiency 300 486
271 October 26, 2023 Healthcare occupations 3,600 431
272 December 6, 2023 General 4,750 561
273 December 7, 2023 French language proficiency 1,000 470
274 December 8, 2023 STEM occupations 5,900 481
275 December 18, 2023 General 1,325 542
276 December 19, 2023 Trade occupations 1,000 425
277 December 20, 2023 Transport occupations 670 435
278 December 21, 2023 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 400 386

Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.

Express Entry in 2024

As per the recently unveiled Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026, Canada is set to welcome 110,000 new permanent residents through Express Entry in the year 2024.

In the preceding year of 2023, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aimed to admit 82,880 candidates through Express Entry. Spanning from the inaugural draw on January 11 to the draw on December 21, the department issued a total of 110,266 Invitations to Apply (ITAs).

It's important to note that the issuance of ITAs throughout the year doesn't guarantee immediate admission, as the processing of an Express Entry application by the IRCC may take up to six months. Consequently, a substantial portion of the ITAs issued in 2023 is expected to be recorded as admissions in the subsequent year, 2024.

Canada’s 2024 to 2026 Immigration Levels Plan

As per the recently unveiled Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026, Canada is set to welcome 110,000 new permanent residents through Express Entry in the year 2024.

In the preceding year of 2023, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aimed to admit 82,880 candidates through Express Entry. Spanning from the inaugural draw on January 11 to the draw on December 21, the department issued a total of 110,266 Invitations to Apply (ITAs).

It's important to note that the issuance of ITAs throughout the year doesn't guarantee immediate admission, as the processing of an Express Entry application by the IRCC may take up to six months. Consequently, a substantial portion of the ITAs issued in 2023 is expected to be recorded as admissions in the subsequent year, 2024.

Immigration Class 2024 2025 2026
Economic 281,135 301,250 301,250
Family 114,000 118,000 118,000
Refugee 76,115 72,750 72,750
Humanitarian 13,750 8,000 8,000

Connect With Us Today

Explore the myriad opportunities within the Express Entry streams (➨page), from Federal to Provincial streams. Check the eligibility criteria for each program and connect with us to navigate the path to Canadian immigration success. Transform your aspirations into reality with our expert guidance. Start your journey today!

Connect with our experts today by completing of Fee Assessment Form.

Ready to take the next step towards your Canadian immigration journey? Fill out the form below and embark on your path to new opportunities.

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