The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have issued 700 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under its All-Program Express Entry Draw. Candidates under this All-Program Draw are required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score of 511. 

This draw was unexpected, given that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced it would send 1,500 invitations to healthcare professionals on July 5. Moreover, it is anticipated that the IRCC will send invitations to candidates with significant work experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) occupations in its first-ever category-based Draw for STEM professions. However, the minimum score required for healthcare and STEM candidates remains to be seen. 

On June 28, the IRCC held its first-ever category-based Express Entry Draw, issuing 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs)to candidates under the Healthcare Program. These candidates were required to have a minimum CRS score of 476. Furthermore, it was announced on the same date that the IRCC would be sending invitations to STEM workers through another category-based Express Entry Draw round this week. 

It is interesting to note that the present CRS score of 511 is the highest ever score seen in any of the All-Program Draws launched in the year of 2023.

What are the Category-based Draws?

The category-based selection can be explained as a new kind of Express Entry Draw designed to invite applicants working in particular professions or possessing desirable qualities that translate into in-demand attributes.

Candidates may be eligible for six additional categories:

What do you mean by Express Entry?

The Canadian government employs an online system called Express Entry to manage, and process applications from skilled professionals looking to come to the country and get permanent residency. 

The Express Entry Program serves as a major pathway to acquiring permanent residence for immigrants wanting to begin a new life in Canada. Statistically speaking, the country welcomes a total of 250,000 immigrants through this program every year. 

This online system is specifically designed for talented workers wanting to immigrate to Canada and subsequently gain permanent residence in the country. This online system controls three specific federal economic programs, as mentioned below:

How do I Become Eligible for Express Entry?

In order to be eligible to apply to the Express Entry Program as a skilled worker, every candidate must fulfill the following eligibility conditions stated as below:

It must be duly noted that all the points mentioned above are the minimum requirements to become eligible for Express Entry. It does not necessarily mean that candidates who meet these minimum criteria would receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) under the Express Entry Program. Candidates with a better and stronger profile are naturally given greater credence over those who simply meet the basic prerequisites or general requirements.

How can I apply for Express Entry?

The application procedure for Express Entry is a two-way process involving submitting your profile along with supporting documents and waiting to receive an Invitation to Apply. 

Described below is the list of instructions that every candidate is required to follow when applying for Express Entry Program: 

After all the necessary documents have been submitted, and the profile has been completed, the candidate needs to present the following additional documents after the issuance of an Invitation to Apply: 

How much does an Express Entry Cost?

The cost of immigrating through Express Entry for a single applicant is somewhere around CAD 2,300 and CAD 4,500 for a couple. This total cost is inclusive of all the inherent costs involved in language tests, biometrics, medical examination fees, government fees, police clearance certificates, and Educational Credential Assessment Costs.