3300 candidates invited in FSWP-specific Express Entry draw

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada(IRCC)held the first Federal Skilled Worker Program-specific Express Entry draw on February 2. A total of 3300 immigration candidates received invitations in the draw in which, the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System(CRS)score was 489. This is the second program-specific of 2023 and the previous one was held on February 1, which targeted provincial nominees. Before the beginning of the year 2023, Express Entry draws were used to be held in every two weeks. But in 2023, the first draw was held on January 11 after a gap of six weeks. The draw invited 5500 candidates and the minimum CRS score was 507. The second draw was held in the following week, on January 18, in which 5500 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 490 were invited. Though the February 1 Express Entry draw was held after a gap of two weeks, it invited only provincial nominees. It was the first program-specific Express Entry draw being held after June 2022.

But it is expected that the IRCC would soon begin to conduct targeted Express Entry draws. In these draws, candidates will be selected on the basis of Canada’s economic priorities and labour market needs. So candidates will be selected on the basis of their skills and work experience, rather than on the basis of CRS score. Attributes like language, education etc. may also be considered while selecting candidates. 

Canada Express Entry system

Express Entry is the most popular and fastest pathway for skilled migration to Canada. The Express Entry system manages applications for immigration under the three federal economic immigration programs, which are the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Candidates are assessed and ranked on the basis of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores and the candidates with the highest scores are invited to apply for permanent residence. 

Federal Skilled Worker Program

Federal Skilled Worker Program for Canada immigration came into existence in 1967. To be eligible under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, a candidate must score at least 67 out 100 points. Other eligibility requirements include:

• One year of full-time work experience in an eligible occupation
• Language proficiency equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French in all the four abilities
• Educational Credential Assessment(ECA) report
• Minimum 67 out 100 points on the FSWP grid
• Meet the settlement fund criteria.

Express Entry draws held so far in 2023

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