January 27, 2023 by Carly Perryman
On January 18, 2023, Canada issued 5,500 invitations to candidates in the pool for permanent residency under the Express Entry immigration program. The minimum comprehensive ranking score was 490, which is lower than the last draw on January 11, 2023.
The invitation was open to all programs under the Express Entry umbrella, which includes Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Federal Skilled Trades (FST).
The latest draw indicates that Canada intends to invite more skilled immigrants this year than in previous years.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an online system through which Immigration, Refugee & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) manages candidates for Canada’s three economic classes of immigration:
Candidates are given a score out of 1,200. The score is based on various criteria such as age, occupation, family status, job offer in Canada, work experience, language ability and education, to name a few.
There are draws from the pool throughout the year, which we monitor closely and provide ongoing evaluation and advice regarding your submission to increase your chances of selection.
The highest-scoring candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence through the online Express Entry system. Once an application is submitted, IRCC will review and process the application and make a final decision.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
Each province has a Provincial Nominee Program. Each province’s economic growth depends on having enough skilled and qualified people to meet labour market needs. The PNP is a way for high-demand foreign workers and experienced entrepreneurs to gain permanent residency in a particular province in Canada.
Each province has different pathways through which candidates can apply, including skilled workers, International Graduates, entrepreneurs and French-speaking skilled workers, to name a few. Each province also has PNP pathways that link to the federal Express Entry system.
Immigration Targets
According to the Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2025, Canada aims to welcome 465,000 new permanent residents in 2023.
Source: Supplementary Immigration Levels 2023-2025
If you would like to know if you qualify for immigration to Canada through the Express Entry program or a Provincial Nominee Program, please take our free assessment here.