Review of the Express Entry draws for various categories in 2023

In retrospect, 2023 was a milestone year for Canadian immigration. The immigration department introduced a category-based scoring system in the Express Entry application process, which proved to be more flexible compared to previous years. However, looking at the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff scores for Express Entry, they were higher than the average in previous years. In some categories, the CRS requirement was as high as 791 points. 

1． All Categories

Invitations across all categories, including the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC), were based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores before the introduction of category-based draws in early 2023. Candidates were selected solely based on their CRS score rankings. Throughout the year 2023, there were 19 draws across all categories, issuing a total of 76,700 invitations. The highest CRS cutoff score was 561 points, while the lowest was 481 points. 

2. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) 

In 2023, there were a total of 5 draws for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) under the Express Entry system. This category issued a total of 4,396 invitations, with the lowest score being 691 and the highest score being 791. Although the scores may seem high, applicants who receive a provincial nomination will receive an additional 600 points in the Express Entry system, which should alleviate concerns about the high cutoff scores. 

3. Healthcare Category 

In the healthcare category, there were 3 invitations issued last year, totaling 5,600 invitations. The highest score was 476, while the lowest score was 431. 

4. STEM Category 

Although the STEM category only conducted two draws last year, the number of invitations issued each time was generous. In 2023, a total of 6,400 applicants received invitations in the STEM category and successfully immigrated. 

5. Trade Worker Category 

This category conducted two draws last year, inviting a total of 2,500 individuals. The cutoff scores were relatively low, ranging from a minimum of 388 points to a maximum of 425 points. 

6. Transportation Category 

In 2023, the Transportation category conducted two draws, both with a cutoff score of 435 points. A total of 1,670 invitations were issued across these two draws. 

7. Agriculture Category 

In the Agriculture category, there were 1,000 applicants who successfully immigrated through this category last year. There were two draws conducted, with very favorable cutoff scores ranging from a minimum of 354 points to a maximum of 386 points. 

8. French Language Category 

The French Language category, as the most frequently drawn category apart from the All Categories, underwent 6 draws last year. A total of 8,700 invitations were issued, with the lowest cutoff score reaching only 375 points and the highest reaching 486 points in one of the draws.

From the three-year immigration quota announced on November 1st, it is evident that the immigration department emphasizes the expansion of recruitment in STEM fields, healthcare, agriculture, and trade blue-collar skills, further addressing labor shortages in these industries. Let us await the first draw of 2024 with anticipation.