Express Entry Draw 263 | 3,200 Invited in All-Program Draw

The latest Canadian Express Entry draw was just held. Express Entry draw 263 saw a lowest CRS score of 531 and invited 3,200 candidates from all programs to apply.

Express Entry Draw 263

Date of Draw: September 19, 2023

Number of Invitations Issued: 3,200

Minimum CRS: 531

Program Specified: Non-specified

Tie-breaking rule: September 12, 2023 at 12:16:31 UTC

First Express Entry Draw No Program Specified for September

Today’s draw is the first one in a month, following a break from Express Entry draws for all categories. The last draw happened on August 15, and was also a ‘No Program Specified’ draw, which invited 4,300 candidates from all programs without any specific category restrictions. This means that if your Express Entry profile had a CRS score of 496 or higher, you could have been eligible for an invitation in that draw.

Express Entry draw 263 issued 3,200 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) of 531. There was no program specified for this draw, meaning that invitations to apply may be issued to candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and Provincial Nominee Program.

In the latest draw, the CSR score saw a minimum threshold of 531 points, marking the second-highest CSR score requirement to date. The only draw that exceeded this was the one held on August 23, 2022, which set a slightly lower CSR score requirement of 533 points. This draw also saw a lower number of invitations compared to the previous draw issued on August 15th.

How Does Express Entry work?

Express Entry is a system used by the Canadian government to manage skilled workers applications for Canadian permanent residency.
The system manages three main programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST); and Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This also includes draws for category-specific targets that have recently begun to take place. 

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) uses a point-based system, that assigns a score to the candidate’s profile in order to ranking it in the Express Entry pool.

Are You Eligible?

The Express Entry points system assigns a score to your profile, depending on different factors such as your age, education degrees, skilled work experience, proficiency in English and/or French, siblings in Canada, and others.

You can get an estimate of the score you will get based on your profile using our CRS Score Calculator.

You must also make sure you meet the requirements of at least one of the following Federal programs in order to submit a profile through the Express Entry system:

• Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
• Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

How to Apply for Express Entry?

The first step to apply is submitting your profile with the required documents. Required documents usually consist of language test results, educational credentials, and passport or travel documentation.

After you submit a profile and receive an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence, you can submit your complete application for the IRCC to review. Your complete application should include supporting documents such as reference letters, additional identity documents, police clearance certificates, and results of a medical examination.

Number of Candidates in the Current Express Entry Pool

The IRCC updates the number of people in the Express Entry pool a few days before an invitation round takes place. Numbers change as new profiles are submitted, profiles expire or are issued an ITA.

As of today the composition of the Express Entry pool is:

Previous Express Entry – All Program Draws

• Express Entry Draw 262 | 4,300 Invited in All-Program Draw – Canadim
• Express Entry Draw 259 | 2,000 Invited in All-Program Draw – Canadim
• Express Entry Draw 257 | 800 Invited in All-Program Draw – Canadim
• Express Entry Draw 253 | 700 Invited in All-Program Draw – Canadim

Interested in learning more about your options to apply through Express Entry?  Complete our free online assessment form!