Canada Express Entry Draw #254 invites 500 applicants in the first STEM draw

This week, the IRCC sent out invites for a second round of Express Entry. This time, it applied to applicants for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) employment who were qualified for category-based selection. Candidates needed a CRS score of at least 486.

On July 5th, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the immigration department of Canada, hosted Canada Express Entry draw #254 (at 13:38:22 UTC). In order to apply for a Canadian PR visa, immigrants were invited to participate in the Canada Express Entry draw.

A total of 500 skilled individuals who have an active Express Entry profile were nominated by the Canadian government in the first STEM draw conducted.

According to IRCC 214,529, immigrants had successfully submitted their profiles as of July 5th, 2023. And, based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, the highest number of immigrants, i.e., 54,732 have a CRS score of 451 – 500, followed by 726 immigrants having a CRS Score between 501– 600 and 353 applicants have a CRS score between 601 – 1200.

The following information is crucial, including the number of invitations distributed and the minimum score required by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS):

Category: STEM Occupations (Express Entry)
Total number of invitations sent: 500
Minimum CRS Score: 486
Tie-breaking rule: November 23rd, 2022 at 00:01:29 UTC

Who is eligible to apply for this Express Entry Draw?

You must meet Express Entry’s minimal requirements, which include being qualified for one of the three immigration programs it covers, in order to be considered for an invitation through a category-based round.

Satisfy all criteria outlined in the round’s guidelines

Acceptance into the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) occupation category.

You must meet the following requirements in order to be eligible

Have collected, within the preceding three years, at least six months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) in one of the occupations specified.

Check Your Eligiblity

Is my CRS score still significant?

According to the IRCC, invitation rounds based on categories will rank individuals in the Express Entry pool who satisfy the category requirements, inviting the top-ranking candidates to submit applications for permanent residence. The CRS score will be used to rank eligible candidates, just like in a standard draw. The likelihood of receiving an ITA is still highest for those with better scores. A high CRS score is still required to be taken into consideration for the normal all-program or program-specific draws that the IRCC will still hold.

How frequently will there be draws for categories-based selections?

IRCC is not required to run Express Entry draws on a predetermined timetable or to extend invitations to a particular number of applicants through any program or category. The Immigration Minister has the discretion to conduct draws, which take place in accordance with the Minister’s duty to support the French language and Canada’s economic interests. In other words, draws can happen whenever they choose, for any category.