Who Has the Highest Chance of Getting an Express Entry ITA (Invitation to Apply)?

Fresh information from the Canadian government delves into the human capital profiles of Express Entry invitees from January to September 2023. Within this timeframe, 53,455 candidates received Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the Express Entry system.

This dataset excludes ITAs granted by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in October, which totaled 9,173. The statistics are segmented to illustrate ITAs by program, province, Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, age, and occupation.

Express Entry functions as an application management system overseeing the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Every program entails distinct eligibility criteria. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) assesses and ranks candidates based on human capital attributes like work experience, age, language proficiency, and education.

Additionally, the data encompasses Express Entry candidates nominated through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), securing an extra 600 CRS points. Considering the available data, prime candidates for ITAs appear to be CEC candidates in their twenties, employed as software engineers, and residing or planning to reside in Ontario.

Candidates Invited by Program

During the initial nine months of 2023, the majority of ITAs were granted to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). CEC applicants possess a minimum of one year of eligible Canadian work experience and satisfy IRCC’s language proficiency standards. A total of 23,910 CEC candidates received ITAs, constituting nearly 45% of the total.

Following closely, Federal Skilled Worker Program candidates secured the second-highest number of ITAs, with 15,855 (approximately 30% of total ITAs). Provincial Nominee Program candidates ranked third with 13,655 ITAs, making up around 26% of all ITAs.

Notably, no ITAs were issued to candidates in the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

In-Demand Occupations

Occupations that received the highest ITAs showed some commonality across programs. In the

Canadian Experience Class:

1. Software engineers and designers: 1,725
2. Computer programmers and interactive media developers: 1,745
3. Information systems analysts and consultants: 1,375
4. Food Service Supervisors: 1,240
5. Administrative assistants: 855

For the Federal Skilled Worker Program:

1. Financial auditors and accountants: 650
2. Dentists: 570
3. Software engineers and designers: 565
4. Professional occupations in advertising, marketing, and public relations: 505
5. Database analysts and data administrators: 420

Within the Provincial Nominee Program:

1. Other occupations: 970
2. Software engineers and designers: 820
3. Information systems analysts and consultants: 615
4. Computer programmers and interactive media developers: 595
5. Welders and related machine operators: 420

Invitations Based on CRS Score

Approximately half of Express Entry candidates, 26,070, had CRS scores between 451-500, and 11,640 scored between 501-600. A mere 225 candidates received ITAs with scores ranging from 601-700, and 60 scored between 701-800. Another 790 fell within the 801-900 range.

Significantly, more than 7,550 candidates held CRS scores between 901-1,000, with over 5,040 surpassing 1,000. Achieving a CRS score of around 600 is feasible only through a provincial nomination, accounting for 600 of the maximum 1,200 CRS points an Express Entry candidate can earn.

Candidates Invited by Province

Over half of Express Entry candidates, totaling 31,550, either resided or planned to settle in Ontario. British Columbia secured the second-highest ITA count with 10,655, followed by Alberta, where 5,280 candidates received ITAs.

Nova Scotia received 1,595 ITAs, while all other provinces had fewer than 1,500 each.

Express Entry Invitations by Age

The majority of ITAs went to candidates aged 19-29, totaling 28,970, showcasing a preference for younger individuals.

Candidates in their thirties received 20,865 ITAs, while those aged 40 or older received fewer than 4,000.

IRCC attributes higher CRS scores to younger candidates based on Statistics Canada’s analysis, revealing that younger newcomers have more time for Canadian labor market integration.

Statistics Canada’s research underlines age as a potent predictor of immigrant labor market success. Younger arrivals have more time to enhance their language skills, gain Canadian work experience, and build professional networks. A single Express Entry candidate aged 20-29 garners 110 CRS points, while a 19-year-old candidate receives 105 points.

Top of Form

Express Entry Trends

The count of Express Entry candidates invited from January to September 2023 surpasses the 2022 total (37,335) but falls short of the 2021 figure (108,105).

The pandemic skewed the past two years. In 2021, IRCC increased ITAs to CEC candidates to meet a 400,000 immigrant goal, contributing to a backlog and reduced service standards in 2022.

Post-pandemic, Canadian Experience Class candidates dominated ITAs, whereas, before the pandemic, the FSWP led.

IRCC aims for 110,770 permanent resident admissions through Express Entry in 2024, increasing to 117,500 annually in 2025 and 2026. ITAs issued may be fewer, as successful candidates can include partners and children who meet IRCC criteria.