Today, we will discuss the latest updates from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regarding the Express Entry draw and the influx of global tech workers.
We will look into the newest updates from the Express Entry program, how tech workers worldwide are moving to Canada, and what Canada is doing to attract tech experts from all over the globe.
IRCC Invites More Candidates in Latest Express Entry Draw
IRCC recently invited more candidates in an all-program Express Entry draw held on August 15, 2023. During this draw, 4,300 invitations to apply (ITAs) were issued to candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 496.
Recent Express Entry Results
- August 2, 2023: IRCC held a category-based draw inviting candidates with French proficiency. 800 ITAs were issued to candidates with a minimum CRS score of 435.
- August 1, 2023: An all-program draw was held, inviting 2,000 candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) with a minimum CRS score of 517.
- July 12, 2023: 3,800 ITAs were issued for permanent residency (PR) in a category-based selection draw for French-speaking candidates with a minimum CRS score of 375.
- July 11, 2023: 800 ITAs were issued in an all-program draw with a minimum CRS score of 505.
Noteworthy Draws in July
- July 7: Targeted draw for French language proficient candidates. 2,300 ITAs issued with a minimum CRS score of 439.
- July 6: Category-based draw for healthcare workers. 1,500 healthcare professionals invited with a minimum CRS score of 463.
- July 5: Targeted draw for Science, Technology, Electronics, and Mathematics (STEM) professionals. 500 ITAs issued with a minimum CRS score of 486.
- July 4: All-program draw with 800 ITAs issued. The minimum CRS score for this draw was 511.
June Draws
- June 28: The first targeted category-based draw in Express Entry history, inviting 500 candidates with healthcare experience with a minimum CRS score of 476.
- June 27: All-program draw inviting 4,300 candidates from all three Express Entry programs with a minimum CRS score of 486.
Global Tech Workers Moving to Canada
Between April 2022 and March 2023, over 32,000 global tech industry workers moved to Canada for work, as reported by the Technology Councils of North America (Tecna) and Canada’s Tech Network (CTN).
This migration is attributed to Canada’s immigration-friendly policies, labor cost advantage, and the rise of remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The influx of tech talent primarily came from India, Nigeria, and Brazil, bolstered by increased investments from US-based tech companies in Canada.
Rapid Growth in Smaller Provinces
Smaller provinces like Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador experienced rapid growth in their tech workforces, with a year-over-year growth of 16.3%.
Rural Canadian cities, such as Windsor, Ontario, also saw significant growth in tech workers, reflecting a shift towards rural locations due to the rise of remote work.
Most Sought-After Tech Skills in Canada
The Tecna and CTN report revealed that the most in-demand tech skills in Canada include Customer Experience, Microsoft Azure, Analytical Skills, Amazon Web Services, React JS, Jira, Data Science, GitHub, Customer Satisfaction, and Customer Relationship Management.
Canada’s Most Attractive Tech Hubs
The report ranked Mississauga, Ontario, as the top tech hub, followed by Montreal, Quebec, and Waterloo, Ontario.
These cities are home to globally recognized IT companies, robust tech ecosystems, and strong academic support for the tech industry.
Canada’s Efforts to Attract Global Tech Talent
Canada is actively working to attract global tech talent through its new Tech Talent Strategy and category-based Express Entry draws.
These initiatives aim to address Canada’s economic and demographic needs by attracting skilled tech workers from around the world.
Canada’s Tech Talent Strategy
This initiative aims to promote Canada as a destination for digital nomads, streamline the work permit process for H-1B specialty occupation visa holders in the US, and improve existing programs for high-skilled tech workers.
Category-Based Express Entry Draws for Tech Occupations
On June 28, 2023, IRCC began conducting category-based Express Entry draws for candidates with work experience in STEM professions.
During the first draw held on July 5, 2023, 500 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 486 were invited to apply for permanent residence.