All programs draw in express entry, meaning candidates under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) can apply for Canada Permanent residency. Well, recently Canada drew the 8th express entry draw 0f 2023, which shocked everyone by inviting 7000 candidates by issuing ITAs in all-program draw with the minimum CRS (comprehensive ranking system) score of 484. 

This draw\’s size is equal to the largest-ever all-program draw, held on March 15 and attended by 7,000 additional applicants. Applicants in the draw had a minimum CRS score of 490. The IRCC invited 5,500 candidates on January 18 for the previous record-high all-program draw. 

The draw is unexpected because it is the second week in a row that IRCC has welcomed Fast Entry applicants. Express Entry draws typically occur every two weeks. The 7,000 ITAs are the second-highest number of ITAs ever for an Express Entry draw, after only the record-breaking CEC-only draw held in February 2021.

Previous draws and their impact

This draw stands out for breaking the recent trend of program-specific draws by issuing a record number of ITAs. Since the last all-program draw, there have been four rounds of invites that are specific to each programme, three for PNPs and one for FSWPs. Just 697 people received ITAs in the most recent draw, which was PNP-only, on March 1, 2023. 

The number of Invitations to Express Entry increased as the minimal CRS score lowered. Prior to 2023, approximately 1,000 applicants were invited to each Express Entry draw, which was a programme draw. And it\’s only March now, there are many more draws that are yet to come so it won\’t be wrong to say that people with migrating desire can consider their immigration this year even with the lowest CRS. 

But what is the definition of a good CRS score according to all the express and PNP draws being held in 2023? Well, I\’d say that a good CRS Score for the year 2023 should be between 470 and 495 based on the information we know so far. Yet, Bill C19\’s targeted draws could assist some groups of employees in particular occupations with low CRS scores in receiving ITAs. There are ways to increase your CRS score. Check out: How to increase Canada CRS score

Express entry overview

The Canadian express entry has three prominent application management systems, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. All these programs enable IRCC to invite employees, students, trade workers, etc to choose applications for their permanent residency status based on minimum comprehensive ranking system cutt-off score since all the candidates are ranked by CRS in the express entry pool. The candidates with the high CRS scores are eligible for ITA (invite to apply).

Candidates for the Provincial Nominee Program who are invited in a lottery are already Express Entry candidates. An applicant has 60 days from the time they get an ITA to submit their application to IRCC. After reviewing the application, an IRCC officer will decide whether to approve the applicant or not.

Conclusion

As of January 2023, IRCC\’s application backlog stands at around 2.1 million across all business lines for the second consecutive reporting period. Approximately 600 applications have been removed from Express Entry\’s backlog as of January 31, leaving 47,868 applications open (was 48,409 on January 3) and a total of 66,214 applications (base + enhanced) were accumulated in January for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Canada to begin Flagpoling again to renew work or study permits that lead to Canada PR process where foreign nationals could convert a visit visa from a work visa permit without exiting Canada if they met eligibility criteria.