2022: A unique year for Express Entry

The year that has come to an end was a unique one in every sense for Canada Express Entry . The all-program Express Entry draws resumed in September 2022 after being suspended for 18 months as an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first six months of 2022, the number of ITAs issued in the Express Entry draws was low and these draws were specific to PNP candidates alone.The later months of the year 2022 also witnessed the backlog of Express Entry applications coming down. The Canadian government has invested even more money for tackling the backlogs and so, it is expected that it would further come down sharply next year. The year also witnessed the revamping of National Occupational Classification(NOC) System. The Provincial Nominee Programs are now adjusted to the new TEER system and it has given occupations a five-number code instead of four.

The classification under the current TEER system is as follows:

The new Occupational Classification System enables officials and employers to pinpoint the workers they want. This change is in preparation for the introduction of occupation-specific draws that will be introduced in the early 2023.

16 new jobs became eligible under Express Entry

Sixteen new jobs were also made eligible for Express Entry, including truck drivers and nurses. The new occupations which became eligible under the Federal Skilled Worker Program when NOC 2021 was introduced in November 2022 are as follows:

• (NOC 13102) Payroll administrators
• (NOC 33100) Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
• (NOC 33102) Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
• (NOC 33103) Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
• (NOC 43100) Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
• (NOC 43200) Sheriffs and bailiffs
• (NOC 43201) Correctional service officers
• (NOC 43202) By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers
• (NOC 63211) Estheticians, electrologists and related occupations
• (NOC 73200) Residential and commercial installers and servicers
• (NOC 73202) Pest controllers and fumigators
• (NOC 73209) Other repairers and servicers
• (NOC 73300) Transport truck drivers
• (NOC 73301) Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators
• (NOC 73400) Heavy equipment operators
• (NOC 93200) Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors

The computer glitch that paused Express Entry draws

The Express Entry draws had to be paused in November 2022, owing to a computer glitch that happened when the National Occupational Classification System 2021 was introduced. This has led to the number of ITAs issued coming down during this period.

Canada Express Entry: Expectations for 2023

It is expected that the year 2023 is going to be a promising one for Express Entry. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is taking all efforts to resolve the issues that led to the suspension of draws. The immigration target set for 2023 is 465000. Out of these 82880 invitations will be issued through the Federal High Skilled category. Further, the occupation-specific Express Entry draws will be introduced in 2023. This is expected to make the Canada immigration system more efficient.

Do you wish to know more about Canada Express Entry immigration? Connect with CanApprove now!