Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has published its annual Express Entry report for 2023, shedding light on the trends and developments in Canada's immigration system. The report reveals a remarkable surge in Invitations to Apply (ITAs), with a total of 110,266 ITAs issued across 42 Express Entry draws between January 11 and December 21, 2023. This is a significant 136% increase compared to the 46,539 ITAs issued in 2022.

Understanding Express Entry

Express Entry is a digital system used by IRCC to manage applications for three federal economic immigration programs:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): For skilled workers with foreign work experience who want to immigrate to Canada permanently.
2. Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For skilled workers who have Canadian work experience and wish to become permanent residents.
3. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For skilled tradespeople who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade.
   
   

The system uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank candidates based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Candidates are scored out of 1200 points, and those with the highest scores receive ITAs, which are invitations to apply for permanent residence in Canada.

Notable Developments in 2023

2023 was a year of change for the Express Entry system. One of the most significant developments was the introduction of category-based selection draws. These draws allow IRCC to target candidates based on specific criteria such as their occupation or language proficiency, ensuring that Canada’s immigration goals align with the country’s labor market needs.

Breakdown of ITAs by Program

The 2023 report provides a detailed breakdown of ITAs by program:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 40,052 ITAs (36.3% of total ITAs)
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 26,445 ITAs (24% of total ITAs)
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): 17,898 ITAs (16.2% of total ITAs)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): 8 ITAs (<1% of total ITAs)

The low number of ITAs under the FSTP can be attributed to IRCC's processing hierarchy, which prioritizes candidates eligible for multiple programs under the CEC.

Category-Based Selection Draws

Introduced in June 2023, category-based selection draws quickly became an important part of the Express Entry system. In these draws, IRCC targets candidates based on specific categories, such as their occupation or language ability. A total of 25,870 ITAs were issued through these draws, making up 23% of the year’s total ITAs.

The breakdown of ITAs by program within category-based selection draws is as follows:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 12,073 ITAs
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): 13,790 ITAs
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): 7 ITAs
  
  

CRS Scores and Draw Trends

The CRS scores of candidates in the pool varied widely in 2023, with most scores falling between 300 and 550. This range accounted for 93% of all candidates. The introduction of category-based selection draws led to an increase in the average CRS score for all-program draws, with many of these draws requiring scores above 500.

Here’s a breakdown of the minimum and maximum CRS scores needed to receive an ITA across various draw types:

• Generic Draws (FSWP, CEC, FSTP): Scores ranged from 484 to 561.
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Scores ranged from 691 to 791.
• Healthcare Occupations: Scores ranged from 431 to 476.
• STEM Occupations: Scores ranged from 481 to 486.
• French Proficiency: Scores ranged from 375 to 486.
• Trades Occupations: Scores ranged from 388 to 425.
• Transport Occupations: Score was 435.
• Agriculture Occupations: Scores ranged from 354 to 386.
  
  

Gender Distribution

The 2023 report also highlights the gender distribution of ITA recipients:

• Overall: 57% of ITAs went to men, while 43% went to women.
• By Program:
• CEC: 52% of ITAs went to men.
• PNP: 26% of ITAs went to men.
• FSWP: Women were more likely to receive ITAs (33% for women vs. 22% for men).
  
  

Occupation Trends

A candidate's work experience plays a crucial role in their eligibility for Express Entry. The report highlights the most common occupations among ITA recipients, with tech and finance roles leading the way. The top occupations included:

• Software Engineers and Designers (NOC 21231): 7,259 ITAs
• Software Developers and Programmers (NOC 21232): 5,183 ITAs
• Food Service Supervisors (NOC 62020): 3,277 ITAs
• Information Systems Specialists (NOC 21222): 2,951 ITAs
• Administrative Assistants (NOC 13110): 2,538 ITAs

Of the 15 occupations listed in the report, 10 are classified as TEER 1 under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system, which typically requires a university degree.

Countries of Residence and Citizenship

The report also provides insights into the countries of residence and citizenship of ITA recipients:

• Countries of Residence:
• Canada: 76,791 ITAs (69.6%)
• India: 7,394 ITAs (6.7%)
• Cameroon: 3,828 ITAs (3.4%)
• Nigeria: 3,822 ITAs (3.4%)
• United States: 2,526 ITAs (2.2%)
• Countries of Citizenship:
• India: 52,106 ITAs (47.2%)
• Nigeria: 7,263 ITAs (6.5%)
• China: 5,854 ITAs (5.3%)
• Cameroon: 4,335 ITAs (3.9%)
• Iran: 2,693 ITAs (2.4%)
  
  

Education Levels

Educational attainment remains a key factor in Express Entry, with most ITAs going to candidates with post-secondary education:

• High School or Less: 810 ITAs (0.7%)
• One or Two-Year Post-Secondary Credential: 7,819 ITAs (7%)
• Post-Secondary Credential of Three Years or More: 50,294 ITAs (45.6%)
• Master's Degree or Entry-to-Practice Professional Degree: 47,529 ITAs (43.1%)
• PhD: 3,814 ITAs (3.4%)
  
  

Language Proficiency

Language proficiency continues to play a critical role in determining CRS scores. In 2023, 78% of candidates had a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score between 7 and 9. Additionally, 18% of candidates achieved the maximum CLB 10 score, though this was a slight decrease from 21% in 2022.

Conclusion

The 2023 Express Entry report from IRCC highlights significant growth and important changes in Canada's immigration landscape. The introduction of category-based selection draws and the substantial increase in ITAs reflect Canada’s ongoing commitment to meeting its economic and labor market needs through immigration. As we look ahead to 2024, these trends suggest a continued emphasis on targeting skilled immigrants who can contribute to Canada’s economy in meaningful ways.