In the most recent Express Entry draw, the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) extended invitations to 700 applicants.
The draw was open to all programs, with applicants needing a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 511 to be considered.
This selection was unexpected since the IRCC previously announced it would invite 1,500 healthcare professionals through category-based selection on July 5. Additionally, it’s anticipated that the IRCC will invite applicants with work experience in the STEM field in the first-ever category-specific Express Entry draw for STEM professions. The minimum CRS score for healthcare and STEM candidates is yet to be determined.
On June 28, the IRCC conducted the inaugural Express Entry category-based draw, inviting 500 healthcare workers with a minimum CRS score of 476. On the same day, it was also announced that STEM professionals would be invited in a category-specific Express Entry round this week.
The current CRS score of 511, required in this all-program draw, is the highest observed in 2023. This is notably higher than the score in the last all-program draw on June 27, where 4,300 candidates were invited with a minimum CRS score of 486. It’s also 35 points above the 476 required in the category-specific draw on June 28.
Category-based draws refer to a new type of Express Entry round that targets candidates from certain job areas or those with special qualities that are in high demand. There are six new areas in which candidates might qualify.
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- Trades
- Healthcare
- Transport
- Agriculture and agri-food