CRS drops 43 points in third Express Entry PNP-only draw of 2023

Surya Rathee
[Published 02 Mar, 2023 | 07:53 AM]
About Author - 3 min read
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Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its sixth Express Entry draw of the year on March 1, 2023. This was the third PNP-specific draw conducted by IRCC in 2023. The previous draws for just Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates were held on February 1 and February 15, 2023.

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Who was invited?

The latest Express Entry draw #242 saw permanent residency invitations being issued to 667 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 748 – a drop of 43 points.

Since receiving a provincial nomination grants the applicant an additional 600 points, Express Entry candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 148 in this draw - to be eligible before getting nominated by a Canadian PNP.

The tie-breaking rule set for the March 1st draw was December 12, 2022, at 10:48:12 UTC. Candidates that met the minimum score threshold were only invited if they had submitted their profile to the Express Entry pool before this date. Candidates with a provincial nomination from a Canadian PNP (except Quebec) - were eligible for this invitation round.

• Number of Invitations: 667
• CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate: 748
• Tie-breaking rule: December 12, 2022, at 10:48:12 UTC

The size and frequency of the invitation rounds are determined by the IRCC’s application backlog at that time. Express Entry draws are usually held every two weeks on a Wednesday – with some exceptions. The dates of the selections are not posted before they take place.

Express Entry gearing up for changes

As defined in its Immigration Level Plans for 2023-2025, it is possible that IRCC may continue to make efforts to attract skilled immigrants to Canada to help fill the country's labor gaps.

• In recent years, the government has implemented changes to the Express Entry system, such as increased points for French language proficiency that prioritize applicants who are bilingual in English and French.
• Other potential changes could include adjustments to the minimum CRS score required to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency, or changes to the types of eligible occupations or education credentials.
• It is also possible that the Canadian government may make changes to the processing times for Express Entry applications, with the goal of reducing wait times and improving the overall efficiency of the system.

Take note that these are just predictions, and any potential changes to the Express Entry system will depend on a variety of factors, including the needs of the Canadian labor market, public policy priorities, and other economic and social considerations.

With Canada conducting back-to-back draws almost every single week – with higher ITAs and lower CRS scores, now is indeed the best time to apply for Canada PR.check your eligibility today!