The government of Canada designed the Express Entry program to manage applications for permanent residence from skilled workers. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced this in 2015 as a way to efficiently process permanent residency applications and attract highly skilled workers to Canada. Individuals must create an online profile to be eligible for the Express Entry program. They will then be placed in a pool of candidates. Candidates are ranked based on various factors, including their work experience, education, language skills, and other criteria. The highest-ranked candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular rounds of invitations, known as “draws.” If an individual gets an invitation to apply, they must submit a complete application within a specific timeframe. If their application is successful, they will receive permanent residence status in Canada.
How Things Went in 2022
In 2022, Canada’s Express Entry program faced several challenges that disrupted the regular processing of permanent residence applications. The government paused the draws for the year’s first half, resumed them for 5 months, and then paused them again because of technical issues. These pauses caused a backlog of applications to build up. It wasn’t until late in the year that the (IRCC) made significant progress in reducing the backlog. It was the first time since the program’s introduction that such a halt occurred after several years of steady growth.
What to Expect in 2023
Despite facing challenges in 2022, Canada expects its Express Entry program to return with renewed energy in 2023 as the country continues to grapple with labour shortages. As a result, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has set an immigration target of 465,000 for 2023. Additionally, the IRCC predicts record immigration levels for the coming years, with annual immigration expected to reach 500,000 by 2025.
In an effort to be more responsive to specific labour shortages in certain industries or occupations, the IRCC has also announced plans to introduce occupation-specific invitations in 2023. These plans will allow the immigration system to target specific professions with a draw or series of draws. It will also send a clear message to potential applicants in those fields that Canada is interested in attracting them. Overall, Canada has positioned itself to continue attracting skilled workers through its Express Entry program, with a strong foundation for immigration and one of the most sophisticated systems in the world.
How mana immigration Can Help
At mana immigration, we are committed to helping individuals navigate the complex world of immigration and achieve their dreams of living in Canada. As experts in the Express Entry program and with the help of our immigration lawyers, we can guide you through the process of creating an online profile and ranking highly in the pool of candidates for various immigration programs, namely Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), Rural and Northern Immigration Program (RNIP), Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Program (TR2PR), and many more.
We can also assist with preparing your application, ensuring that you have the best chance of receiving a PR invitation. Our team of experienced professionals is here to help you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with your Express Entry application.
