Canada's Express Entry: A Year of Occupation-Specific Draws Marks a New Chapter
In 2023, Canada made a significant change to its Express Entry system. Before, the draws were based on immigration programs, but now they are based on occupations.
This was a major shift in the history of the selection system. Officials from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada were able to focus on specific groups of occupations, thanks to the new National Occupational System 2021 introduced a year earlier.
For the first time, the system targeted healthcare occupations, STEM occupations, transport occupations, and more, in addition to the regular draws for all programs and the Provincial Nominee Program. The goal was to make the selection system more adaptable to the needs of the labor market, allowing it to address shortages in specific areas of Canada.
What is Express Entry?
It's currently too early to determine the effectiveness of the changes made to Canada's Express Entry system. There have been notable alterations in the number and types of draws over the past year, particularly after the inaugural occupation-specific draw on June 28, which aimed at selecting 500 healthcare workers.
Express Entry is a Canadian immigration system introduced by the immigration authorities (IRCC) on January 1, 2015. It oversees applications from skilled workers under various Federal Economic programs, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canada Experience Class, and certain aspects of the Provincial Nomination Programs.
The draws included a total of 82 National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, which were categorized into five main groups: healthcare, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), trades, transport, and farming and food. Additionally, there were draws specifically designed for individuals who are proficient in French.
Express Entry System in 2023
In 2023, despite the changes in the Express Entry system, all program draws did not come to a halt. They remained the predominant source of Invitations to Apply (ITAs), with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issuing the second-highest number of ITAs in a calendar year – a total of 110,266.
This marked a significant acceleration compared to 2022, where only 46,538 ITAs were issued as Canada worked to reduce a backlog caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, although the backlog persists in various immigration categories, excluding the skilled worker class.
Although 2023 came second only to 2021 in terms of the total number of ITAs issued, the difference was just over 4,000. Notably, 2021 set a record with a single draw featuring 27,332 ITAs for Canadian Experience Class candidates.
Despite the substantial number of ITAs, IRCC officials suspended draws for November 2023, with no clear explanation provided. Speculation arose about a potential technical failure being the cause. However, draws resumed in December, and several ITAs were issued in the lead-up to Christmas, including four draws in a single week.
The significant number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in 2023 resulted in three of the top 10 quarters in the history of Express Entry.
Notably, the first quarter of 2023 saw a total of 37,558 invitations, making it the only quarter that came close to the two exceptional quarters in 2021, each with over 44,000 ITAs. These high numbers in 2021 were part of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada's response to the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Additionally, the third and fourth quarters of 2023 secured places in the top 10, ranking eighth and tenth, respectively.
With Canada's ongoing commitment to increasing immigration targets, it is logical to anticipate a continued rise in the number of Invitations to Apply as part of the Express Entry system.
Overview of Express Entry Draws in 2023
The introduction of occupation-specific draws in 2023 led to a notable increase in the diversity of draws within the Express Entry system.
Traditionally, Express Entry draws were predominantly all-program, occasionally incorporating Provincial Nominee Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program draws. This trend shifted during the pandemic, with Canadian Experience Class draws becoming predominant as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) focused on candidates already present in Canada.
In 2023, the landscape changed significantly, featuring a total of nine distinct draw categories, each aligned with specific occupations. Among these categories was the inaugural draw exclusively targeting Federal Skilled Worker Program candidates. Before this, candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program had only been invited as part of all program draws.
The introduction of numerous draw categories had a notable effect on the all-program draws within the Express Entry system.
Although all-program draws remained the primary category, accounting for 76,700 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) throughout the year, there were notable changes. In the early part of the year, when draws were predominantly all-program, Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores were relatively low, hovering around the 480s.
However, with the introduction of occupation-specific draws in June, a significant gap emerged between all-program draws. Candidates who would typically have been selected in all-program draws were now part of occupation-specific draws, where the minimum CRS scores were lower, contributing to this shift in the dynamics of the selection process.
In 2023, there were only five Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws within the Express Entry system, resulting in 4,396 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores for these draws varied between 691 and 791. Typically, CRS scores are higher for PNP draws because candidates receive an additional 600 points for their provincial nomination, in addition to their core profile score.
As the Express Entry system continues to mature, the frequency of PNP draws is likely to decrease. Provinces are increasingly conducting their draws, reducing the necessity for federal-level PNP draws. The prominence of occupation-specific draws could further diminish the relevance of PNP draws within the Express Entry framework.
In 2023, among all the new categories introduced, the French-speaker category witnessed the highest number of draws.
For the 8,700 invitations issued in this category, Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores ranged from 375 to 486. Canada has a distinct strategy aimed at boosting its population of French speakers outside of Quebec. Notably, the French-speaker category was the sole non-occupation category introduced among the new draw categories, aligning with Canada's focus on enhancing linguistic diversity.
Healthcare draws in 2023 resulted in 5,600 invitations, with minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores varying from 431 to 476. The lowest score of 431 was observed when Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 3,600 healthcare workers in a draw on October 26.
As healthcare draws continue, it will be crucial to observe the pattern of CRS scores. This category encompasses a diverse range of occupations, including nurses, doctors, and surgeons, contributing to the varied CRS score range observed in these draws.
While there were only two STEM draws in 2023, they resulted in a substantial 6,400 invitations.
In a draw on December 8, STEM candidates received 5,900 invitations, and the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was set at 481.
Given the increasing demand for STEM occupations in Canada, it is anticipated that draws in this category will likely expand over time as the country seeks to meet the demand for skilled professionals in these fields.
In 2023, two occupation-specific draws were targeting skilled trades, distinct from draws focused on the Federal Skilled Trades Program. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores for these draws ranged from 388 to 425, resulting in a total of 2,500 invitations.
Skilled trades occupations, particularly in the construction industry, are highly sought after in Canada. The demand stems from the country's efforts to address a shortage of homes for its expanding immigrant population, emphasizing the importance of skilled professionals in these trades.
Transport occupations, particularly for truck drivers, represent another category in which Canada faces significant shortages.
In 2023, the two draws specifically targeting transport occupations both had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement of 435, resulting in a total of 1,670 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). This highlights the country's efforts to address shortages in the transport sector by attracting skilled professionals to fill crucial roles, such as truck drivers.
The final category introduced in the 2023 draws was farming and food, also referred to as agriculture and agri-food in the language of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
In two draws within this category, Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores were set at 354 and 386, resulting in a total of 1,000 invitations issued. This category reflects Canada's focus on addressing needs in the farming and food sectors, aiming to attract skilled individuals to contribute to these critical areas of the economy.
What Will be the Plan for Express Entry in 2024?
Canada's Immigration Levels Plan for 2024 to 2026 outlines ambitious targets, aiming to welcome nearly 1.5 million newcomers over the next three years. This plan indicates a consistent increase in Express Entry invitation numbers.
Despite potential shifts in public opinion against welcoming a large number of newcomers, Canada's commitment to substantial population growth remains. The country's population increases are among the largest in the G7, suggesting positive economic progress.
The Immigration Levels Plan for 2024 to 2026 includes the following key details:
2024:
- Overall Planned Permanent Resident Admissions: 485,000
- Total Economic: 281,135
- Total Family: 114,000
- Total Refugees and Protected Persons: 76,115
- Total Humanitarian & Compassionate and Other: 13,750
2025:
- Overall Planned Permanent Resident Admissions: 500,000
- Total Economic: 301,250
- Total Family: 118,000
- Total Refugees and Protected Persons: 72,750
- Total Humanitarian & Compassionate and Other: 8,000
2026:
- Overall Planned Permanent Resident Admissions: 500,000
- Total Economic: 301,250
- Total Family: 118,000
- Total Refugees and Protected Persons: 72,750
- Total Humanitarian & Compassionate and Other: 8,000
Notably, the plan includes categories such as Federal High Skilled, Federal Business, Economic Pilots, Atlantic Immigration Program, Provincial Nominee Program, Spouses, Partners and Children, Parents and Grandparents, Refugees and Protected Persons, and Humanitarian and compassionate, among others.
The outlook for Express Entry in 2024 is positive, with expectations of more invitations and continued growth in occupation-specific draws. There may be possibilities of introducing new categories, but the focus is likely to remain on the expansion of existing ones, particularly in healthcare and STEM occupations.
Comments
Post a Comment