Express Entry Draw Sees 1,980 Candidates Receive Invitations to Apply for Canadian Permanent Residency

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its third Express Entry draw of the month, issuing a total of 1,980 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates seeking Canadian permanent residency.

The draw, which took place within the Express Entry system, required candidates to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 524 to be eligible for consideration.

This draw followed two previous Express Entry draws in March, one being a general draw and the other focused on candidates in transport occupations.

In the general draw that occurred on March 12, 2,850 candidates were issued ITAs with a minimum CRS score of 525, marking a slight decrease compared to previous draws.

A unique feature of the latest Express Entry draws has been the introduction of category-based selections, with specific draws targeting candidates with skills and attributes that are in high demand within the Canadian labor market.

Since the inception of these category-based draws, a total of 2,645 candidates in transport occupations have received invitations, demonstrating a strategic approach to address labor shortages.

The Express Entry system remains a key avenue for IRCC to identify candidates who possess the necessary qualifications and attributes for successful integration into the Canadian workforce and society.

IRCC has introduced six distinct categories reflecting critical labor shortages in the country, in alignment with its objectives to promote French language proficiency among applicants.

French-speaking candidates have notably received a significant number of ITAs under the new category-based selection draws, highlighting the importance of language skills in the immigration process.

Express Entry continues to prioritize candidates based on their CRS scores, which encompass various criteria such as language proficiency, education, work experience, and other factors.

Successful candidates who receive ITAs are typically required to submit their final applications to IRCC, with processing times averaging around six months to reach a decision on permanent residency status.