IRCC Issues 500 Invitations Under Category Under Category Based Express Entry Draw

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently issued Invitations to Apply (ITA) for candidates proficient in the French language in the latest Express Entry round of invitations.

In this draw, the department extended invitations to 500 candidates who possess proficiency in the French language as a category-specific requirement. To receive an ITA, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 472.

This draw comes right after another draw on September 26, where 3,000 candidates were invited in an all-program draw. For the previous draw, candidates were required to have a minimum CRS score of 504. In an all-program draw, candidates are considered from each of the three Express Entry-managed programs.

Summary of Category-Based Express Entry Draws

Summary of Express Entry all-program draws in 2023

What does "category-based selection" mean?

In May of this year, IRCC (Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada) announced a change in its approach to selecting candidates in Express Entry draws. Instead of solely relying on a candidate's overall Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, they introduced the concept of "category-based selection."

This change was prompted by an amendment to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) in 2022, granting the immigration minister the authority to choose Express Entry candidates based on specific attributes that align with Canada's economic goals and French language promotion outside of Quebec.

As a result, six new categories were established to target candidates in high-demand occupations and those with strong French language skills. These categories are related to various fields, including

• Healthcare
• STEM professions
• Trades
• Transportation
• Agriculture/agri-food

This new approach aims to better align Canada's immigration system with its economic and language objectives.

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry serves as a management system for individuals seeking economic immigration through programs like the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Within these programs, candidates' qualifications are assessed and ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System. This ranking considers factors such as work experience, occupation, education, age, and language proficiency. Each attribute holds a specific point value, and those candidates who accumulate the highest scores are more likely to receive an invitation to apply during an upcoming Express Entry draw.

Eligibility for Express Entry varies depending on the specific program. For instance, the FSWP and FSTP programs have different requirements for Canadian Language Benchmark levels. While the FSTP and FSWP necessitate a minimum amount of settlement funds, the CEC does not impose such a requirement on its candidates.

FAQs

1. What are the recent changes in the Express Entry draws for candidates proficient in the French language?

In the latest Express Entry draws, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced category-based selection, inviting 500 candidates who are proficient in the French language with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 472. This change aligns with Canada's goals to promote the French language and strengthen the economy.

2. What is the purpose of category-based selection in Express Entry?

Category-based selection is a new approach introduced by IRCC to select Express Entry candidates based on specific attributes rather than their overall CRS scores. This change aims to align immigration with Canada's economic objectives and the promotion of the French language. It allows for targeted invitations to candidates with particular skills and language abilities.

3. How does Express Entry work for economic immigration in Canada?

Express Entry is a system used to manage applications for economic immigration programs in Canada, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Candidates' qualifications are evaluated using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assesses factors such as work experience, education, age, and language proficiency. The highest-scoring candidates receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in Express Entry draws.

4. What are some of the eligibility criteria for Express Entry programs in Canada?

Eligibility criteria vary depending on the specific program. For example, the FSWP and FSTP programs have different requirements for Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels. While the FSTP and FSWP may require a minimum amount of settlement funds, the CEC does not have this requirement. Eligibility can also depend on factors such as work experience and occupation.

5. What are the different categories introduced for category-based selection in Express Entry?

The category-based selection introduced in Express Entry includes six categories targeting candidates in high-demand occupations and those with strong French language skills. These categories encompass fields such as healthcare, STEM professions, trades, transportation, and agriculture/agri-food. This approach aims to better align Canada's immigration system with its economic and language objectives.