In a surprising all-program Express Entry draw, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has invited 700 candidates for permanent residency. The candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 511, the highest score seen in any all-program draw of 2023.

The draw comes ahead of a planned category-based selection by the IRCC to invite 1,500 healthcare workers on July 5. In addition, a first-ever category-based selection draw for candidates with work experience in STEM professions is also expected soon. The minimum CRS score for these categories is yet to be announced.

On June 28, the IRCC held its first category-based draw, inviting 500 healthcare workers with a minimum CRS score of 476. At the same time, the IRCC announced its plans to invite STEM professions in a category-based Express Entry round this week.

Category-based selection draws, introduced in June 2022, aim to invite candidates within specific occupational fields or those who have other in-demand attributes. These categories include healthcare, STEM professions, trades, transport, agriculture and agri-food, and strong French-language proficiency.

The Express Entry system used by IRCC selects candidates for permanent residency based on their CRS score, evaluating attributes such as work experience, occupation, language ability, education, age and more. It manages three programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.

Express Entry Draw: 253
Date of Draw: July 4th, 2023
Number of Invitations Issued: 700
Minimum CRS: 511
Program Specified: Non-specified
Tie-breaking rule: July 01, 2023 09:31:32 UTC

Source : CIC NEWS