The 238th Express Entry draw has invited 5500 applicants with the CRS cut-off at 490, lowest in 6 months.

The CRS score cut-off trend is displayed by the graph below.

As we can see, the CRS had been constantly on the decline since the all program Express Entry draws had resumed on 6th July 2022, after the COVID-pandemic. The first Express Entry round of invitations in 2023 had an unusual high CRS score of 507, 16 points higher than the previous cut-off of 491. Fortunately, the cut-off has returned to its usual range with the current 238th Express Entry draws. The present cut-off is the lowest since the resumption of the all program draws in July, 2022. This is a great news for all the applicants who were anxious about their prospects due to the high CRS score in the 237th draw.

ITAs issued

ITAs or the Invitation to Apply are issued to those applicants who have the CRS score higher than the cut-off. Upon receiving the ITA, you must apply to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for Canada PR within 60 days. The 238th Express Entry draw issued a massive 5500 ITAs to eligible applicants in the pool. IRCC has already invited 11000 applicants for Permanent Residency through the Express Entry program, a historically high number. The trend of the ITAs in the previous Express Entry draws is graphically represented below.

Targeted Express Entry draws expected soon

With the Bill C-19 having received the royal ascent, targeted Express Entry draws are expected as soon as the spring of this year. Targeted draws will no longer entirely depend on the Comprehensive Ranking System, but will also consider an applicant’s educational field, work experience, occupation, language proficiency and other factors. Targeted rounds of invitations will facilitate the Canadian government to invite skilled workers for their in-demand sectors and meet specific labour force requirements.

Understanding the Express Entry program

Express Entry draws are usually held every alternative Wednesday and issue Invitation to Apply or ITAs to those applicants who have a CRS score higher than the cut-off. You will be awarded a score by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) according to the information you provide while creating your Express Entry profile through the GCKey or Sign-in partners.

Express Entry is the most popular and fastest way to get Canada PR. It offers immigration pathways to:

Foreign Skilled Workers through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Skilled workers in an in-demand trade through the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Foreign workers with Canadian work experience through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program.

Confusion regardarding the 238th Express Entry draw

Due to an error in the IRCC website, the CRS cut-off were incorrectly mentioned to be 507 points whereas it was 490 points.

Being CICC authorized (R527196), Talent Connected Worldwide is the first to notice and report such errors. We keep you updated about all the Canada immigration changes and unexpected Express Entry draws and provide you with helpful insights about your immigration prospects.

Express Entry is expected to become better in the very near future. Therefore, this is the best time to create your profile and be in the pool.

Get your Canada PR through the Express Entry system. Contact us now.