In 2023, Canada’s Express Entry application management system underwent significant transformations. Throughout the year’s first half, Express Entry maintained several patterns established in 2022, resuming draws after an 18-month hiatus. These draws encompassed various formats, including all-program draws, Provincial Nominee Program-only draws, and, on one occasion, the draw exclusively for Federal Skilled Workers. May marked the introduction of six new categories for Express Entry draws by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This change allowed targeted draws for specific occupations like healthcare, STEM, transport, etc., to address labour market needs. Its success is yet to be determined, but the variety of draws significantly increased, with the first targeting 500 healthcare workers. The Canadian Government invited candidates under a total of 82 NOC codes in five categories (healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, agriculture and food) through occupation-specific draws and introduced targeted draws for French-speaking candidates.
