On December 8, 2023, Canada opened its latest Express Entry draw, marking the second-highest number of candidates invited this year. In the second Category-based EE draw of this week, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued invitations to 5,900 candidates with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Occupations to apply for permanent residency in the country.
This particular invitation round marked the 274th draw in the history of the Express Entry system.
Express Entry Draw – 7 Dec 2023
In this category-based EE draw, the IRCC has issued 1,000 ITAs (Invitations to Apply) for Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) Visa to the STEM occupation candidates with CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score 481 points or above. This is the momentous drop in CUT OFF for the STEM candidates.
Express Entry Draw Result – 8 December 2023
Date | EE Draw Category | No. of ITAs | Minimum CRS Score Requirement | Tie-breaking rule |
December 8, 2023 | STEM occupations (2023-1) | 5,900 | 481 | November 25, 2023 at 09:48:36 UTC |
Click here to see the complete list of Express Entry draws until date
EE Draw Analysis
After this new category-based EE draw, Canada has now issued a total of 1,06,871 Invitations in overall 38 Express Entry draws conducted this year by IRCC. The CRS score dropped drastically for this particular draw for the STEM occupation candidates.
Notably, this draw was focused solely on candidates with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) occupations, highlighting Canada’s ongoing emphasis on inviting skilled professionals in these critical fields. Hence, if you have experience in one of these domains, you have a bright chance of obtaining Canadian PR Visa in upcoming year 2024.
This event constituted the 3rd draw of the week and the 38th draw overall in the year, highlighting Canada’s commitment to maintaining an inclusive and dynamic immigration system that addresses the nation’s economic and technological requirements.
Category-based selections
In May of this year, the IRCC declared its plan to initiate Express Entry invitation rounds categorized by specific criteria, i.e. Category-based EE draws. These draws are custom-made for Express Entry candidates who fulfil the criteria for distinct characteristics, such as, proficiency in the French language or possessing work experience in any of the 5 designated occupations:
- Healthcare
- STEM professions
- Trades
- Transport
- Agriculture and agri-food
Also read-
Category-based Express Entry Draw on 7 Dec- IRCC invites 1,000 French-speaking Candidates
Canada invites 4,750 Candidates in latest Express Entry Draw opened on 6 Dec 2023