In 2023, there will be significant changes to Canada’s Express Entry draw, the process for bringing foreign skilled workers to the nation by providing them permanent residency. To solve the severe labour shortage in the nation, the government has declared that adjustments are required.
The current Express Entry all-program draws, according to Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, do not adequately assist Canada in bringing in foreign nationals who most closely match the most in-demand skills and qualifications in the country.
As a result of these modifications, Canada may “see a possible improvement in retention rates [among those who settle in particular communities] because people are coming in where they know they have possibilities because that was the premise of their invitation to apply,” he added.
As a result, starting in the next year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plans to start conducting targeted Express Entry draws. According to the plan, individuals will be chosen for Canadian permanent residency by Express Entry based on their occupation, language proficiency, and/or educational background.
To eventually settle on the specifics of the new structure, IRCC states that it would “consult a wide variety of stakeholders to inform new categories under Express Entry.”
How Express Entry is expected to change in 2023?
For the time being, the IRCC will continue to hold regular Express Entry draws. In other words, a set number of invitations to apply (ITAs) for Canadian PR will be distributed every two weeks based on CRS results.
The CRS scores are based on various criteria, including age, fluency in an official language, and previous employment in Canada. Additionally, this procedure occasionally prevents the proper candidate from receiving the ITA.
As a result, starting in 2023, the Express Entry system will stop emphasising CRS scores and instead hold draws to admit immigrants who will assist Canada better concentrate on addressing particular areas of labour market need and weakness.
Canada to invite 500,000 new immigrants in 2025
In the upcoming years, Canada intends to expand the number of immigrants arriving. In the recently released Immigration Levels Plan 2023–2025, it was stated that 465,000 new immigrants would be accepted in 2023. As the country is likely to set a target of 485,000 new immigrants in 2024 and 500,000 new immigrants in 2025, this will further increase.
