Annual Express Entry report

The newly released Express Entry Year-End report for 2023 reveals a significant increase in the number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) distributed 110,266 ITAs across 42 draws in 2023, marking a 136% rise from 2022’s 46,539 ITAs.

A total of 488,571 profiles were submitted, with 67% meeting the eligibility criteria. The Express Entry system, used for processing economic immigration applications, continues to prioritize high-ranking candidates based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

The report highlights that most ITAs were issued under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), followed by the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). Additionally, 2023 saw the introduction of category-based selection draws, which target candidates based on occupation or language ability.

Who Received ITAs in 2023?

The majority of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in 2023 were issued to candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program, with 40,052 ITAs distributed. The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) followed, receiving 26,445 ITAs, and the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) accounted for 17,898 ITAs.

Interestingly, only eight ITAs were issued to candidates under the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). This low number is likely due to IRCC’s processing hierarchy, where candidates eligible for both CEC and FSTP are more often invited under the CEC.

After the introduction of category-based selection rounds in June, 25,870 ITAs were issued, with 23% of all ITAs being granted based on candidates’ occupation or language ability. By program, 12,073 ITAs were issued to CEC candidates, 13,790 to FSWP candidates, and 7 to FSTP candidates.

Regarding CRS scores, most candidates in the pool had scores between 300-550, making up 93% of all candidates. Following the introduction of category-based selection, the average CRS score for all-program draws rose above 500.

Gender

In 2023, most of the Express Entry ITAs were issued to men, who received 57% of the total, while women accounted for the remaining 43%. When analyzed by program, men received more ITAs under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) at 52% and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) at 26%. However, women were more likely to receive ITAs through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), with 33% of ITAs compared to 22% for men, consistent with trends observed in 2022.

Occupation and ITAs

Work experience plays a crucial role in determining eligibility for Express Entry, and certain occupations are more likely to receive ITAs. In 2023, a significant number of ITAs were issued to candidates in computer, tech, and finance-related occupations. Notably, software engineers and designers topped the list with 7,259 ITAs, followed by software developers and programmers with 5,183 ITAs.

However, nearly half of all ITAs (48%) were awarded to candidates in occupations not specifically listed in the report. Among the 15 occupations detailed, 10 were classified under TEER 1 in the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system, indicating roles that typically require a university degree.

Countries of Citizenship for Express Entry ITA Recipients in 2023

India emerged as the leading source country for Express Entry ITA recipients in 2023, with the highest number of ITAs issued to Indian citizens. Following India, Nigeria and China were the next most common countries of citizenship among ITA recipients. This trend highlights the continued prominence of these countries in Canada’s Express Entry system.

Education Levels of Express Entry ITA Recipients in 2023

In line with previous years, the majority of Express Entry ITAs in 2023 were awarded to candidates with post-secondary education. Specifically, 46% of ITA recipients held a post-secondary credential of three years or longer, while 43% possessed a master’s degree or an entry-to-practice professional degree. This emphasis on higher education underscores the importance of advanced qualifications in securing an ITA through the Express Entry system.

Language Proficiency of Express Entry Candidates in 2023

In 2023, language proficiency continued to be a key factor for Express Entry candidates. The data shows that 78% of candidates had a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score between 7 and 9. Specifically, 24% of candidates achieved a CLB score of 7, while 31% attained a CLB score of 9. These scores reflect the strong language abilities of the majority of candidates within the Express Entry pool.