By admin
On January 31, 2025, Canada celebrated the ten-year anniversary of its first Express Entry draw, marking a decade since the introduction of the innovative system that has revolutionized the country’s immigration process. Since its launch, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued over 800,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency (PR), streamlining the process for skilled workers seeking to immigrate.
Before Express Entry, Canada’s permanent residency applications were processed on a first-come, first-served basis, resulting in long backlogs and delayed processing times, sometimes up to seven years. The outdated system often led to candidates becoming ineligible for their intended occupations by the time their PR applications were approved. In response to this, Express Entry was launched in 2015 to address these challenges and create a more efficient system.
The Express Entry system uses a pool-based model, where foreign nationals submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to apply for PR. Candidates are ranked based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores, which consider factors such as age, education, language proficiency, and work experience. The highest-ranking candidates receive ITAs, significantly reducing processing times to about six months for most applicants.
Express Entry manages applications for several key economic immigration programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Canadian Experience Class, and portions of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The first Express Entry draw, held on January 31, 2015, had a CRS cut-off score of 886, which gradually decreased over the year.
Over the past decade, the system has undergone various changes, including the introduction of points for valid job offers, an increased focus on higher education, and the tie-breaking rule to resolve ranking ties. Significant changes include the introduction of additional points for French-language proficiency and the award of CRS points for candidates with siblings in Canada.
In 2023, IRCC implemented category-based selection, targeting specific sectors such as healthcare, STEM fields, trade occupations, and agriculture, among others. This change aimed to address labor shortages in key industries and encourage more French-speaking immigrants to settle outside Quebec. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted Express Entry for a period, resulting in fewer draws and fluctuations in CRS cut-off scores. However, by 2022, regular draws resumed, and the system adapted to the changing landscape.
In 2024, the federal government made further adjustments, focusing more on candidates already residing in Canada, especially those in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-2027 emphasized this shift, with nearly half of all new PR spots allocated to in-Canada candidates, supporting the goal of reducing temporary residents in the country.
Additionally, the 2025 plan highlighted a focus on healthcare occupations, trade sectors, and French-language proficiency. The government also announced the removal of additional CRS points for candidates with valid job offers to enhance fairness and address issues such as LMIA fraud.
With Express Entry remaining a central pillar of Canada’s immigration strategy, the federal government has increased its allocation for Express Entry, further asserting control over the process while reducing provincial input through the PNP. As Canada continues to adapt its immigration system to meet evolving economic and labor market needs, it is expected that Express Entry will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the country’s immigration future.