Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada  (IRCC) is now considering holding Express Entry targeting skill and occupation scope in the future, rather than relying solely on a CRS score. Immigration Minister Sean Fraser at a press conference said that Canada would be able to select more immigrants who are skilled in the labor market. By inviting candidates through Express Entry, IRCC can process applications more efficiently as the candidates have already met a baseline of eligibility, according to their CRS score. Now that draws have resumed, IRCC aims for a processing standard of six months for new applications.

Changes to Express Entry in 2023

Express Entry aims to target skilled workers to close the gaps in Canada’s labor force,

• Responding to labor market needs.
• Including French language immigrants outside Quebec.

Canada expects to welcome 55,900 permanent residents through Express Entry in 2022 and this number will dramatically increase to 111,500 by the end of 2024.