In the most recent Express Entry draw, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) specifically for candidates with proficiency in the French language.
To be eligible for this category-based draw, candidates needed to achieve a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 446. This draw highlights the Canadian government’s focus on attracting skilled individuals with French language skills to support Canada’s bilingualism and fill labor market needs in various regions.
IRCC Issues Second Express Entry Draw of the Month Amidst Record Activity
In today’s Express Entry draw, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) specifically targeting candidates with French language proficiency. This marks the second draw of the month and continues a period of heightened activity in Canada’s immigration system.
The summer months were particularly notable for IRCC, with July setting a record for the highest number of Express Entry draws in a single month since the system’s inception in 2015. There were a total of nine draws from July 2 to July 31, reflecting a significant increase in the frequency of invitations issued.
The draw prior to today’s occurred on September 9, where 911 ITAs were issued exclusively to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This illustrates IRCC’s recent trend of conducting multiple draws every other week, often including at least one dedicated to PNP candidates.
This pattern aligns with IRCC’s strategy to hold more “domestic” draws, aiming to enhance opportunities for temporary residents already in Canada to transition to permanent residency. The approach is also designed to manage the volume of temporary residents entering the country.
With this continued focus on targeted draws, including those for French-speaking candidates and PNP participants, IRCC is working to address labor market needs and provide pathways for qualified individuals to become permanent residents.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is a streamlined application management system introduced by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2015. Its primary goal is to efficiently select candidates for economic immigration programs who possess in-demand skills and qualifications. The system manages three key economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a fundamental component of Express Entry. This system evaluates candidates based on several factors, including:
- Language Ability: Proficiency in English and/or French.
- Work Experience: Relevant work experience in skilled occupations.
- Education: Educational qualifications and credentials.
- Occupation: The field and level of the candidate’s occupation.
- Age: The candidate’s age at the time of application.
Each of these attributes is assigned a specific number of points, which contribute to the candidate’s overall CRS score.
Express Entry is a dynamic application management system used by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to select candidates for economic immigration. It encompasses three major programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
Candidates in these programs can also enhance their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This integration is known as enhanced nomination. When an Express Entry candidate receives a provincial nomination, they are awarded an additional 600 CRS points. This substantial boost makes it highly likely that they will receive an ITA in a subsequent Express Entry draw, depending on the draw’s criteria.
Category-Based Selection Draws
In 2023, IRCC introduced category-based selection draws to better target candidates with specific in-demand attributes, particularly around work experience. These draws allow IRCC to select candidates based on particular job categories or skills rather than just the general or program-specific draws.
Candidates selected in these category-based draws are not required to be part of any specific Express Entry program but must be in the Express Entry pool. The minimum CRS score required in these draws is generally lower compared to program-specific or general draws, providing more opportunities for those with specific skills.
The six categories for these targeted draws are:
- Healthcare Occupations: Including roles like nurses, doctors, and healthcare technicians.
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Professions: Covering a broad range of technical and scientific fields.
- Trades Occupations: Such as carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and other skilled trades.
- Transport Occupations: Including truck drivers, pilots, and related roles.
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations: Covering jobs in farming, food production, and related fields.
- French-Language Proficiency: Targeting candidates with strong French language skills.
To read more blogs, just click on: https://blog.esseindia.com/
