IRCC Conducts Fifteenth Express Entry Draw of 2023, Inviting 4,300 Candidates

The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently conducted the fifteenth Express Entry draw of 2023 on June 27, extending invitations to 4,300 candidates in an all-program draw. To qualify for an invitation, candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 486.

This draw encompassed candidates from various programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades, and Provincial Nominee Program.

The draw featured the tie-breaking rule implemented on June 21, 2023 00:57:04 UTC. If more than one candidate had the minimum CRS score, only those who submitted their Express Entry profiles before this date and time received invitations.

This draw follows the previous draw on June 8, where 4,800 candidates were invited in an all-program draw, also requiring a minimum CRS cut-off score of 486.

82 Occupations Eligible for Category-Based Selection

In an important announcement on May 31, IRCC disclosed its plan to conduct draws for Express Entry candidates falling into six new categories during the summer. These categories include healthcare, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions, trades (such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors), transport, agriculture and agri-food, and strong French-speaking abilities.

Express Entry candidates who possess the required work or language experience in selected occupations within these categories will receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the upcoming draws. Healthcare occupations make up nearly half of the eligible occupations for category-based selection, followed by a significant presence of STEM occupations. It’s important to note that candidates must also be in the Express Entry pool to be eligible for an ITA, in addition to meeting the occupation-specific criteria.

While a high CRS score remains relevant, individuals with the highest scores still have a higher likelihood of receiving an ITA. The selection of these categories was based on consultations with provinces, territories, and other stakeholders. IRCC will include the draw results and their effectiveness in the annual report to parliament, with categories subject to potential changes from year to year.