In the second Express Entry draw of the week, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued invitations to apply (ITAs) on December 19, 2023. This draw targeted candidates in trades occupations, with a total of 1,000 invitations extended.

Candidates vying for an ITA in this draw needed to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 425 to be deemed eligible. This draw closely follows an all-program draw on December 18, where 1,325 candidates were invited to apply, requiring a higher minimum CRS score of 542.

Over the past week, IRCC has been actively conducting draws, showcasing their commitment to various categories. On December 8, a category-based draw for candidates in STEM occupations saw 5,900 candidates receiving ITAs with a minimum CRS score of 481. Additionally, on December 7, a category-based draw specifically for individuals with French language proficiency resulted in 1,000 candidates from the Express Entry pool being invited, with a minimum CRS of 470.

Notably, the Express Entry system experienced a temporary pause in draws, with the last draw before this week occurring on December 6. IRCC did not provide a specific reason for the hiatus, but on November 14, the department acknowledged an IT issue with the Express Entry profile builder for candidates who had received an ITA. The issue was reportedly resolved by November 16, yet draws did not immediately resume.

Possible reasons for the temporary pause in Express Entry draws could range from meeting targets outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan, IT issues, staffing changes, or updates to the Comprehensive Ranking System.

As the year draws to a close, IRCC’s active engagement in Express Entry draws indicates a continued commitment to welcoming skilled immigrants and meeting immigration targets.