Express Entry Draw Canada Invited 1,325 Candidates for PR on December 18, 2023

In the latest Express Entry draw 1,325 invitations were issued for permanent residency on December 18, 2023. It was a general draw. No program was specified in this draw. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score decreased by 19 points compared to a similar draw on December 6th.

This marks the fourth round of Express Entry invitations in December, following a break in November 2023.

Lowest CRS Score

In the latest Express Entry draw on December 18, 2023, the lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for an invitation was 542.

After the draw on December 8, where 5,900 STEM candidates got ITAs with a minimum CRS of 481, there was a draw on December 7. This draw invited 1,000 candidates with French proficiency and a CRS of 470. Another draw on December 6 was for all programs, with a CRS minimum of 561. This draw marked the end of a month-long pause, with the last draw for healthcare candidates on October 26.

The IRCC didn’t specify the reason for the pause, but on November 14, they acknowledged an IT issue with the Express Entry profile builder. Although fixed on November 16, draws didn’t immediately resume. Various factors, such as meeting candidate targets, IT issues, staffing changes, or updates to the Comprehensive Ranking System, could cause such delays.

Summary of Latest Express Entry Draws

The latest Express Entry draws are as follows:

1. On December 18, 1,325 individuals with a CRS score of 542 or above received invitations for all programs.
2. December 8, 2023, saw a STEM draw, with 5,900 ITAs issued for permanent residency and a minimum CRS score of 481.
3. On December 7, 2023, a draw for Francophones resulted in 1,000 ITAs for permanent residency, with a CRS cutoff score of 470.
4. December 6, 2023, witnessed a general draw, issuing 4,750 invitations with a CRS score requirement of 561 or higher.

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is a Canadian immigration system designed to manage the application process for skilled workers who wish to become permanent residents of Canada. It offers a shared platform for both federal and provincial governments. Moreover, it facilitates employers to choose prospective candidates out of the Express Entry pool. This Pool consists of such candidates, who stand eligible for any one of the mentioned below “Federal Economic Immigration Programs”.

1. The Federal Skilled Trades Program
2. The Federal Skilled Worker Program
3. Canadian Experience Class

The candidates may receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for Canadian immigration. However, such candidates must hurry to complete their application form and submit it along with the required documents. The time for applying is 60 days and it takes six months from the date of receiving the application to complete the process.

The IRCC introduced a fresh set of selection criteria on May 31, 2023, placing a stronger emphasis on distinct professional and demographic attributes of candidates, going beyond their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. As a result, six new categories have emerged for Express Entry candidates:

1. Healthcare
2. STEM Professions (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
3. Trades
4. Transport
5. Agriculture and Agri-Food