Recent data from the Government of Canada provides a detailed breakdown of the human capital profiles. Individuals who received Express Entry invitations between January and September 2023.
During this period, Canada granted 53,455 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Express Entry system. Notably, this figure excludes the ITAs issued by IRCC in October, which totaled an additional 9,173.
The data is categorized to illustrate the distribution of ITAs by program, province, Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, age, and occupation. Express Entry, a comprehensive application management system, encompasses candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and a segment of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
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While each program has distinct eligibility criteria, all candidates undergo evaluation and ranking through the Comprehensive Ranking System. This system assigns point values based on human capital attributes such as work experience, age, language proficiency, and education.
The data also considers Express Entry candidates who received a nomination through the PNP. A provincial nomination automatically contributes an additional 600 CRS points to the candidate’s profile.
From the available data, the individuals most likely to receive an ITA appear to be CEC candidates in their twenties employed as software engineers. Particularly those residing in or intending to move to Ontario.
Invitations by Program
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates received the most Invitations to Apply (ITAs) during the first nine months of 2023. All CEC candidates have a minimum of one year of eligible Canadian work experience and meet the language proficiency criteria. Set by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 23,910 CEC candidates received an ITA, constituting nearly 45% of all ITAs issued.
Following closely, Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) candidates secured the second-highest number of ITAs, totaling 15,855, accounting for approximately 30% of the overall ITAs. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates ranked third with 13,655 ITAs, representing around 26% of the total ITAs.
Remarkably, IRCC did not grant any ITAs to candidates in the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
Distribution by Province
Most Express Entry candidates, over half, were either residing in Ontario or planning to relocate there. The data shows these candidates received 31,550 Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
Following Ontario, British Columbia secured the second-highest ITAs. Totaling 10,655, while Alberta had 5,280 candidates receiving ITAs.
Nova Scotia received 1,595 ITAs; all other provinces had fewer than 1,500 each.
Top Occupations Receiving ITAs
There is notable overlap in the occupations that garnered the most Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across different programs. Software engineers consistently ranked among the top five occupations for three key programs:
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Welders and related machine operators: 420
- Computer programmers and interactive media developers: 595
- Information systems analysts and consultants: 615
- Software engineers and designers: 820
- Other occupations: 970
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Administrative assistants: 855
- CEC Food Service Supervisors: 1,240
- Information systems analysts and consultants: 1,375
- Software engineers and designers: 1,725
- Computer programmers and interactive media developers: 1,745
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Database analysts and data administrators: 420
- Professional occupations in advertising, marketing, and public relations: 505
- Software engineers and designers: 565
- Dentists: 570
- Financial auditors and accountants: 650
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Distribution by Age Group
Candidates aged 19-29, totaling 28,970 individuals, constituted the majority who received Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
Additionally, 20,865 candidates in their thirties were invited to apply, while the number of candidates in their 40s or older who received ITAs was less than 4,000.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) assign a higher Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score to younger candidates, as supported by longitudinal analysis conducted by Statistics Canada. This analysis indicates that newcomers who arrive at a younger age have more time to integrate into the Canadian labor market.
Statistics Canada’s research highlights age as one of the most influential factors in predicting immigrant labor market integration. Younger newcomers typically have more time to enhance their English and/or French language skills, accumulate Canadian work experience, and establish a professional network in Canada. In the CRS scoring system, a single Express Entry candidate aged 20-29 receives 110 points, while a 19-year-old candidate receives 105 points.
Distribution by CRS Score
Approximately half of all Express Entry candidates, totaling 26,070, held a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score within the range of 451-500. Another 11,640 candidates had scores falling between 501-600.
A mere 225 Express Entry candidates secured an Invitation to Apply (ITA) with scores of 601-700, and 60 candidates achieved scores between 701-800. Additionally, 790 candidates received scores within the range of 801-900.
Notably, a substantial number of Express Entry candidates, more than 7,750, possessed a CRS score between 901-1,000, while over 5,040 candidates held scores exceeding 1,000. It’s important to highlight that obtaining a CRS score of around 600 is exclusively possible through receiving a provincial nomination, accounting for 600 out of the maximum 1,200 CRS points an Express Entry candidate can attain.
Express Entry Immigration Trends
The number of Express Entry candidates invited between January and September 2023 surpasses the total invitations extended in 2022 (37,335) but remains below the peak of 108,105 in 2021.
The preceding two years deviated from the norm due to the pandemic. In 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) escalated Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates to meet the ambitious target of admitting over 400,000 immigrants amidst the pandemic and border restrictions. However, this contributed to a backlog and slower service standards, prompting IRCC to reduce Express Entry ITAs in 2022.
Post-pandemic, Canadian Experience Class candidates have consistently received the majority of ITAs. Before the pandemic, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) held the forefront of ITAs.
IRCC has outlined a target of admitting 110,770 permanent residents through Express Entry programs in 2024, with annual increases to 117,500 in 2025 and 2026. It’s important to note that the number of ITAs issued tends to be lower than the number of admissions, as successful Express Entry candidates are eligible to land with their partners and children who also meet IRCC criteria.
