IRCC conducted the 240th Express Entry draw on 2nd February, 2023.
Draw Date: 02.02.2023
Draw type: Federal Skilled Worker Program
ITAs issued: 3300
CRS cut-off: 489
Draw time: 15:12:01 UTC
Draw day: Thursday
In an unexpected but surprising turn of events, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada conducted the 240th Express Entry draw exclusively for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. This is the second unexpected draw of the year 2023. The current round of invitations issued 3300 Invitations to Apply to the applicants with the CRS cut-off equal to or more than 489 points.
What is a program specific draw?
A program specific Express Entry draw issues ITAs to profiles belonging to a specific pathway. Express Entry offers three pathways:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trade Program
- Canadian Experience Class
Additionally Express Entry profiles with Provincial Nomination are also issued ITAs
In the past, IRCC conducted program specific draws due to the impact of COVID-19. All the draws conducted between 23rd December, 2020 to 22 June, 2022 were program specific draws. However these draws were not for Federal Skilled Worker Program but were held for Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Program.
This is the first Federal Skilled Worker Program specific draw.
On the other hand, an all program Express Entry draw issues ITAs to eligible Express Entry profiles irrespective of their stream.
The CRS score drops to the lowest
The CRS cutoff for the 240th Express Entry draw was 489 which is the lowest since 6th July, 2022. The cut-off for the 239th draw was 733, exponentially higher than the usual range. However, this was because the draw was exclusively for the PNP program. The cut-off for the PNP draws is always higher than usual as the applicants with provincial nominations get additional 600 points by the Comprehensive Ranking System. Thus, they have a higher CRS score than the profiles belonging to FSWP, CEC, or FSTP.
Since the 240th draw is for FSWP, the CRS cut-off has decreased and returned to the usual range for all program draws.
What is the Federal Skilled Worker Program?
The Federal Skilled Worker Program or FSWP is an Express Entry pathway for skilled workers who have eligible foreign work experience. You must have at least 1 year of full-time, continuous work experience in a NOC code belonging to TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. Additionally, you must also score 67 points out of 100 to be eligible for the program.
Next Express Entry draw
The Express Entry rounds of invitations are becoming increasingly unexpected. IRCC might hold more unexpected program specific Express Entry draws exclusively for Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trade Program. Additionally, with the implementation of Bill C-19 draws are expected to change significantly.
Being CICC authorized, Talent Connected Worldwide is the first to get information about any unexpected draw. Keep visiting our website and subscribe to our channel to stay informed about any surprising news about Express Entry and Canada Immigration.
