in this article, we will dive into the latest and most significant updates from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regarding the Express Entry system for 2024.
These updates could have a profound impact on your immigration journey, so make sure to read through to the end to stay informed. Please don’t forget to hit like and subscribe, and push the notification bell for future updates. Now, let’s jump straight into the details.
Record-Breaking Invitations to Apply (ITAs) Issued
According to the newly released Express Entry year-end report for 2023, IRCC has made a historic move by issuing more than double the number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) compared to 2022. Specifically, IRCC issued 110,000 ITAs over 42 Express Entry draws between January 11th and December 21st, 2023. This represents a staggering 136% increase compared to the 46,539 ITAs issued in 2022.
Overview of Express Entry System
Express Entry is an application management system designed to streamline and expedite the processing of economic immigration applications. It covers three main programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
The system uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to score and rank candidates, assigning each candidate a score out of 1,200. Those with the highest scores are most likely to receive an ITA.
Introduction of Category-Based Selection Draws
One of the most notable changes in 2023 was the introduction of category-based selection draws. Unlike the general draws, these focused on specific occupations or language abilities, targeting candidates from all Express Entry programs based on these criteria.
The 2023 report reveals that the majority of ITAs (45,352) were issued to candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This was followed by the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) with 26,445 ITAs, and the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) with 17,897 ITAs. Interestingly, only 8 ITAs were issued to candidates under the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
The Impact of Category-Based Selection on CRS Scores
The introduction of category-based selection draws had a noticeable impact on CRS scores. Most candidates in the pool had CRS scores ranging between 300 to 550, accounting for 93% of all candidates. The average CRS score for all-program generic draws increased above 500 following the introduction of these specialized draws.
Gender Distribution in Express Entry
The 2023 data also provides insights into gender distribution among Express Entry applicants. Overall, 57% of ITAs were issued to men, while 43% went to women. By program, men were more likely to receive ITAs under the CEC (52%) and PNP (26%), while women were more likely to receive ITAs through the FSWP (33% versus 22% for men).
Occupational Trends
A candidate’s work experience plays a crucial role in their eligibility for Express Entry. In 2023, a significant number of ITAs were issued to candidates in computer, tech, and finance occupations. For the second year in a row, software engineers and designers were the most likely to receive an ITA (7,259 ITAs), followed by software developers and programmers (5,183 ITAs). Among the top 15 occupations listed, 10 are classified as Tier 1 under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system, which typically requires a university degree.
Country of Residence and Citizenship
The report also highlights trends in the country of residence and citizenship of Express Entry candidates. As seen in 2022, most candidates who received ITAs in 2023 listed Canada as their country of residence (7,679 ITAs). India followed in second place (7,394 ITAs). Notably, Cameroon moved into the third spot with 3,828 ITAs, just ahead of Nigeria with 3,822 ITAs.
When looking at country of citizenship, India remains the largest source country for Express Entry ITA recipients, followed by Nigeria and China.
Education and Language Proficiency
Education level continues to be a key factor in the Express Entry system. Most ITAs were issued to candidates with postsecondary education. Among these, 46% had a postsecondary credential of three years or longer, while 43% held a master’s degree or an entry-to-practice professional degree.
Language proficiency also plays a critical role in CRS scores. The 2023 data shows that 78% of Express Entry candidates had a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score between 7 (24%) and 9 (31%). An additional 18% achieved the maximum high score of CLB 10, although this represents a slight drop from 21% in 2022.
Conclusion
The 2024 Express Entry updates from IRCC highlight significant changes and trends that could affect your immigration plans. With a record number of ITAs issued, the introduction of category-based selection draws, and shifts in CRS scores, understanding these developments is crucial for anyone looking to immigrate to Canada.
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