The IRCC has just announced the seventh Express Entry draw for 2023.

In an all-program draw, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) awarded invitations to apply (ITAs) to 7,000 individuals with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 484. Candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program are considered in an all-program draw. (FSTP).

This draw size is tied with the largest-ever all-program draw on March 15, which included 7,000 contestants. Candidates in that draw had a CRS score of at least 490. The previous record-high all-program draw was held on January 18, when IRCC invited 5,500 candidates.

The draw is unusual because it is the second week in a row that the IRCC has invited Express Entry hopefuls. Express Entry draws are usually held every two weeks. Aside from being tied for the largest all-program draw ever, the 7,000 ITAs represent the second-highest Express Entry draw size of all time, after only the record-breaking CEC-only draw in February 2021.

All draws took place between July and November 2022, with the smallest draw on July 6 admitting only 1,500 candidates. It was the first all-program draw after an 18-month hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Express Entry drawings in early 2023 concentrate mostly on Provincial Nominee Program applicants. (PNP). So far this year, there have been four PNP-only Express Entry draws, the most recent on March 1, when 667 PNP hopefuls were invited. Prior to this, there were three earlier PNP drawings and one on February 2 that targeted candidates in the Federal Skilled Worker Program. However, it appears that IRCC has resumed its regular routine of considering all Express Entry applications.

Immigration ministries have approved a multi-year plan for PNP numbers.

Provincial immigration ministers recently gathered as part of the Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration (FMRI) to address common concerns and strategies for attracting and retaining more newcomers.

The conference resulted in the approval of the first multi-year provincial immigration plan. This will function similarly to the federal Immigration Levels Plan, which specifies immigration targets for the next three years. The provinces will now know in advance how many provincial nominations they will receive and will be able to plan accordingly in terms of housing and infrastructure needs to better accommodate and retain newcomers.

Following the meeting, some provinces announced an increase in PNP allocations for this year compared to 2022. For example, Ontario, Canada’s largest province, will see their allotment increase to 18,000 places in 2025. Manitoba’s allotment for 2023 has climbed by 3,175 places from 2022 to 9,500, while Saskatchewan will receive 7,250 candidates in 2023, rising to 8,500 in 2025.

Alberta will also experience an increase in allocations for 2023, from 6,500 to 9,750 from 6,500 in 2022. Allocations will continue to rise over the next two years, reaching 10,849 by 2025 in Saskatchewan. Other provinces have yet to disclose information on the number of PNP allocations they expect.

Candidates for Express Entry can improve their chances of acquiring an ITA by securing a provincial nomination. (a process known as enhanced nomination). Being nominated as an Express Entry candidate by a province automatically adds 600 points to a CRS score, essentially ensuring the candidate will receive an ITA for permanent residence.

Candidates for economic immigration who are not part of an Express Entry programme can nevertheless be nominated by a province. (base nomination). This can also help a candidate’s case for permanent residency.

IRCC provides another another PGWP extension.

Many Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders seeking permanent residence were granted a reprieve by IRCC last week. Because of the recent irregularity of Express Entry draws, which has harmed PGWP holders eligible under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced that PGWP holders will receive an 18-month Open Work Permit extension, which they will be able to apply for on IRCC’s website beginning April 6. This means that even more PGWP holders will be allowed to compete for Express Entry ITAs in the future.