Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has held its 14th draw of 2023, inviting 4,800 candidates in an all-program draw. Invited candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 486.
This draw marked the first in June, following the most recent draw on May 24, where 4,800 candidates were invited to become Canadian permanent residents using a minimum CRS score of 488. However, the score for the June draw is higher than the April 26 all-program draw, which had a minimum CRS score requirement of 483.
Excluding this June draw, so far in 2023, IRCC has invited 49,948 candidates over 13 draws. This number is significantly more than the candidates invited between July and November 2022.
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The Immigration body has also discussed changes to the Express Entry program. In May, IRCC issued stated that the department has established six new category-based selection criteria for Express Entry candidates. The categories are based on work experience and language competency. They include:
- Strong French-speaking abilities
- Healthcare
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- Trade, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors
- Transport
- Agriculture and agri-food
These category-based draws will begin this summer, but IRCC has not provided an exact date.
Those who hope to receive an ITA in the targeted category-based draws must also be candidates in the Express Entry pool. IRCC says it will still rank Express Entry candidates who meet the category requirements and then issue ITAs to those with the highest scores.
IRCC will continue to hold all program draws and program-specific draws as needed.
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