In an all-program draw, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has just issued invitations to apply (ITAs) to 7,000 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 481. This is the third Express Entry draw in 14 days, and the eighth in 2023 overall.

Candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program are considered in an all-program draw (FSTP).

This draw size is tied with the largest-ever all-program draw on March 15, which included 7,000 candidates. Candidates in that draw had a CRS score of at least 490. The previous record-high all-program draw was held on January 18, when IRCC invited 5,500 candidates.

The draw is surprising because it is the second week in a row that the IRCC has invited Express Entry candidates. Express Entry draws are usually held every two weeks. Aside from being tied for the largest all-program draw ever, the 7,000 ITAs represent the second-largest Express Entry draw size of all time, trailing only the record-breaking CEC-only draw in February 2021.

All draws took place between July and November 2022, with the smallest draw on July 6 inviting only 1,500 candidates. It was the first all-program draw after an 18-month hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Express Entry draws in early 2023 focused primarily on Provincial Nominee Program candidates (PNP). So far this year, there have been four PNP-only Express Entry draws, the most recent on March 1, when 667 PNP candidates were invited. Prior to this, there were three other PNP draws and one on February 2 that targeted candidates in the Federal Skilled Worker Program. However, it appears that IRCC has resumed its regular procedure of considering all Express Entry candidates.