2023 Express Entry Year Summary

Draw Patterns

• Regular draws every two weeks.
• All-program, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-only, and Federal Skilled Workers (FSW)-only draws.
• Over 21,000 candidates invited in four March draws, the second-highest monthly total ever.

Category-Based Selection

• Introduced six new categories in May 2023.
• Targeted attributes to meet IRCC mandates.
• Categories include Healthcare, STEM Professions, Trades, Transport, Agriculture, and Strong French Proficiency.
• First category-based draw on June 28 for 500 healthcare professionals.
• Over 16,000 candidates invited through category-based selection.

Draw Types:

• 42 draws in 2023.
• 19 All-program draws, 5 PNP-only, 1 FSW-only, and 17 category-based selection draws.
• No ITAs issued to Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) candidates.

CRS Scores

• Majority with CRS scores between 451-500 (26,070).
• 11,640 with scores ranging from 501-600.
• 12,590 with CRS scores between 900 and 1,200 (likely PNP nominees).

Draw Score Highlights

• All-program draw range: 481 (March 29) to 561 (December 6).
• PNP-only draw range: 691 (May 10) to 791 (February 15).
• FSW-only draw: CRS of at least 489 on February 2.

Draw Pauses

• Draws paused between October 26 and December 6.
• No confirmed reason, potential factors include IT glitches, staffing issues, or reaching yearly targets.

Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026

• Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026 targets 110,000 new permanent residents through Express Entry in 2024.
• IRCC targeted 82,880 Express Entry candidates for admission in 2023.
• Issued 110,266 ITAs between January 11 and December 21.
• Admissions may extend into 2024 due to processing times.
• Minister may modify categories based on yearly report findings and stakeholder feedback.