How you can expect Express Entry to change in 2023

Express Entry is Canada’s key to bringing foreign skilled workers to this country via permanent residence, but the structure of Express Entry’s bi-weekly draws is about to evolve. Find an overview of these changes below.

Express Entry is simply the name of Canada’s online system used to cumulatively manage skilled worker applications from three different programs — the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

Express Entry is also Canada’s main method for bringing international skilled workers to this country through permanent residence.

How is Express Entry changing?

As the country vies to better address the specific labour shortages and needs of Canada’s economy, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has shared its intention to begin conducting targeted Express Entry draws beginning in 2023.

These Express Entry draws, possible due to the recently passed Bill C-19, will intentionally target candidates based on their occupation, language and/or education to find the Canadian permanent residence (PR) hopefuls that best help Canada grow and thrive.

According to Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, the current Express Entry all-program draws do not satisfactorily help Canada bring in foreign nationals who best align with the country’s most in-demand skills and qualifications.