Almost 10,000 immigrants were invited to Canada through Express Entry
Canada has used category-based selection criteria to conduct multiple Express Entry draws, including ones for French speakers and healthcare professionals.
Canada's Express Entry selection procedure offers a way to entice highly qualified foreign workers to the country by guaranteeing them permanent residency.
A noteworthy aspect is that Canada has been holding Express Entry draws more frequently. Six rounds of invitations were sent out over the course of two weeks, bringing the overall number of candidates invited via Express Entry to 9,800.
When the IRCC conducted the first-ever French category-based Express Entry draw, an important milestone was attained. In this particular draw, emphasis was placed on selecting candidates with outstanding French language skills.
A total of 2,300 individuals were invited, and they had to receive the lowest CRS score recorded in 2023—439—in order to be considered.
Another recent recruitment campaign targeted applicants with prior experience in the medical field. On July 6, 1,500 applicants were invited to the draw.
It was anticipated after the announcement on June 27 that 500 healthcare professionals would receive the first-ever Express Entry invites.
A draw held on July 5 was exclusively for applicants in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
This was the first time a draw of this kind was conducted, with a total of 500 applicants invited and a minimum CRS score of 486, being required.
On July 4, an unanticipated all-program draw was held to continue the series of draws. The CRS score requirement for this draw, which had 700 candidates, was 511, the highest of any all-program draw in 2023.
Strong French-speaking skills are the only category-based selection criteria for the six new selection categories that does not employ work experience as a defining characteristic, according to CIC news. The immigration minister of Canada is charged with promoting the French language outside of Quebec.
In a press release announcing the draw for French-speaking Express Entry candidates, IRCC stated that by giving priority to the invitation of French-speaking immigrants, Canada recognizes the positive effects that Francophone immigration has on towns outside of Quebec and hopes to foster economic growth by encouraging such immigration..
On May 31, Canada's Minister of Immigration, Sean Fraser, unveiled additional categories for category-based selection. Following the passage of a bill in June of last year, which gave the minister the power to select applicants for economic immigration based on particular qualities rather than their overall CRS score, these categories were established.
Healthcare, STEM-related professions, trades, transportation, agriculture and agri-food, and good French language skills are among the categories for 2023. These categories will be reviewed annually, and changes may be made starting in 2024.
