Canada Invites Agriculture and Agri-Food Workers
Historic Movement: IRCC Conducts Fourth Express Entry Draw in a Week
In a historic development, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made an extraordinary move by conducting its fourth Express Entry draw of the month.
The draw held on December 21, 2023, targeted candidates from the Agriculture and Agri-food Occupations Stream, issuing a total of 400 invitations for Permanent Residency (PR). The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff for this draw was set at 386, providing a unique opportunity for skilled professionals in the agriculture sector.
Details of the draw: December 21, 2023
- Total ITAs issued: 400
- Type of draw: Agriculture and agri-food occupations (2023-1)
- Date and time of round: December 21, 2023 at 14:15:42 UTC
- CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 386
- Tie-breaking rule: July 06, 2023 at 05:44:14 UTC
If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.
This draw follows a series of focused rounds earlier in the month, each targeting specific occupations.
Notably, on December 20, 2023, the IRCC conducted a draw for Transport Occupations, inviting 670 candidates with a CRS cutoff of 435. On December 19, Trade Occupations were in focus, with 1,000 invitations extended at a CRS cutoff of 425. The week began with a General draw on December 18, 2023, where 1,325 candidates received invitations, and the CRS cutoff was 542.
Details of the previous draws in December 2023:
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 21 | Agriculture and agri-food occupations (2023-1) | 400 | 386 |
| Dec 20 | Transport occupations (2023-1) | 670 | 435 |
| Dec 19 | Trade occupations (2023-1) | 1000 | 425 |
| Dec 18 | All-program | 1,325 | 542 |
| Dec 8 | STEM occupations | 5,900 | 481 |
| Dec 7 | French language proficiency | 1,000 | 470 |
| Dec 6 | All-program | 4,750 | 561 |
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is a flagship immigration system implemented by the Canadian government to manage applications for skilled workers who wish to become permanent residents.
This points-based system assesses candidates based on factors like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency in English and French. The system aims to attract individuals with the skills and qualifications needed to contribute to the Canadian economy.
Candidates interested in Express Entry create an online profile, and those with the highest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores are invited to apply for permanent residence during regular draws conducted by the IRCC.
The system has proven to be efficient, transparent, and responsive to the evolving needs of the Canadian labor market. The recent focus on specific occupational streams demonstrates Canada’s commitment to addressing sector-specific demands through its immigration policies.
List of Provincial Nominee Program
- Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program
- British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP)
- Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
- Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP)
- New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
- Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP)
- Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
- Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
- Quebec Skilled Workers Program (QSWP)
- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
- Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)
