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IRCC has conducted the eighth express entry draw of 2023, in which 7000 candidates have been selected in the all-program draw. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System Score ( CRS)  is 484. It means the applicants who secured 484 points or above there are shortlisted for immigration. It is an all-program draw in which the applicants were invited from all three streams of the express entry program – Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

This draw came as a surprise, as the earlier draw was just a week before this one. Ideally, every express entry draw is conducted by the IRCC over a gap of two weeks.

The Key Highlights of the Draw –

• ITA – 7000
• CRS score – 484

It is a high draw size and is among the largest all programs in the history of express entry draws like the one conducted on Match 15. In these last two draws of March, the IRCC has invited 14000 applicants. The previous draw had the minimum CRS score requirement of 490 points. Before these two draws, the highest invitee draw was the one conducted on January 18, in which 5500 applicants were selected by the IRCC.

It is the second consecutive time in March that a large number of applicants have been selected. The 7000 mark is the highest March in Express entry invites. It is the second in number after the Feb 2021 draw, in which 27,332 immigration candidates were in a CEC-specific draw. Among all the program draws, this is the highest draw.

Between July and Nov 2022, every draw conducted was an all-program draw and the smallest draw was held on July 6, to which just 1,500 candidates were invited. This was also the first all-program draw after an 18-month hiatus due to the Corona Virus pandemic.

What is expected from the express entry draws in 2023?

During the start of the year 2023, the IRCC conducted only Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) specific draws. Out of the total eight draws conducted this year so far, four of them have been the PNP specific draws. The most recent one being on March 1, to which 667 PNP candidates were invited. Prior to this,  the other draws that targeted the PNP applicants were conducted on February 15 and February 1. The February 2 draw was the first of its kind FSWP draw.

As per the recent meeting of the Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration (FMRI), provincial immigration ministers have discussed the common issues of attracting and retain newcomers. One of the agendas of the meeting was to discuss the first multi-year provincial immigration plan. As per the latest update, the provinces will now know their allocations in advance and they will be able to plan their housing and infrastructure requirements in advance to better support the newcomers and also retain them.

Some of the provinces have also announced the increase in the PNP allocations and the largest number of allocations will be given to Ontario, and the spots are expected to rise to 18000 in 2025. For Manitoba, it is expected to be increased to 3175 spots, and Saskatchewan will see an allocation of 7,250 nominees in 2023.

Getting a provincial nomination will also increase the chances of the applicant for the federal express entry selection, as there are 600 bonus points given to those who are nominated.

Express entry is one of the most popular immigration channels for Canadian immigration and has been a key asset since 2015.