In the most recent Express Entry draw, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited candidates.
In a draw for Provincial Nominee Program candidates, the department welcomed 1,548 individuals.
A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 776 was required for candidates.
This draw follows the results of the October 10 all-program draw, in which 3,725 candidates got Invitations to Apply (ITAs). Candidates needed a CRS of at least 500.
Summary of Express Entry draws since June 2023
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
| Oct 10 | All-program | 3,725 | 500 |
| Sept 28 | Agriculture and agri-food occupations | 600 | 354 |
| Sept 27 | French language proficiency | 500 | 472 |
| Sept 26 | All-program | 3,000 | 504 |
| Sept 20 | Transport occupations | 1,000 | 435 |
| Sept 19 | All-program | 3,200 | 531 |
| Aug 15 | All-program | 4,300 | 496 |
| Aug 3 | Trade occupations | 1,500 | 388 |
| Aug 2 | French language proficiency | 800 | 435 |
| Aug 1 | All-program | 2,000 | 517 |
| July 12 | French language proficiency | 3,800 | 375 |
| July 11 | All-program | 800 | 505 |
| July 7 | French language proficiency | 2,300 | 439 |
| July 6 | Healthcare occupations | 1500 | 463 |
| July 5 | STEM occupations | 500 | 486 |
| July 4 | All-program | 700 | 511 |
| June 28 | Healthcare occupations | 500 | 476 |
| June 27 | All-program | 4,300 | 486 |
| June 8 | All-program | 4,800 | 486 |
Express Entry candidates are no longer required to undergo an initial medical examination.
Express Entry candidates are no longer needed to have an upfront immigrant medical examination (IME) before submitting their permanent residence application to IRCC as of October 1, this year.
Although an exam is still required, candidates may submit a blank document in the Express Entry profile builder’s upload area. IRCC will email you additional instructions about your medical exam later.
Those who have already completed an IME as part of another IRCC application or who are already living in Canada do not need to take another one.
What exactly is Express Entry?
Express Entry is a system for managing applications for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is used to evaluate candidates in these programs. Candidates are ranked based on human capital characteristics such as age, language ability, work experience, occupation, and education.
Each attribute is awarded a score, and when all scores are added together, the total can reach 1200. Candidates seldom achieve this level of performance, with most minimum CRS cut-off scores being between 350 and 550 (occasionally higher, depending on the type of draw). Candidates with the highest marks are more likely to acquire an ITA to apply for permanent residence status with IRCC.
What is the definition of category-based selection?
Earlier this year, IRCC added new categories in which the CRS score is not the most important deciding factor in ITA issuance. A new law enacted in June 2022 empowers the immigration minister to welcome individuals who meet an economic need in Canada or serve to promote the French language without question.
As a result, IRCC established six additional draw categories for Express Entry candidates with strong French skills or work experience in:
Healthcare; STEM occupations; Trades; Transport; Agriculture and agribusiness
Since June, Canada has invited candidates via category-based selection draws ten times, totaling over 10,000 ITAs. All of the applicants were already in the Express Entry pool.
