On September 28, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Canada (IRCC) conducted Express Entry Draw #267, focusing on candidates working
in Agriculture and Agri-Food occupations under the category-based selection
(Version 1).
In this draw, 600 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued,
with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of just 354, making it
one of the lowest CRS cutoffs seen in Express Entry in 2023.
The significantly low CRS score highlighted Canada’s strong
demand for workers in agriculture and agri-food sectors, which are critical to
food security and the national economy. Candidates who met the occupational
eligibility criteria were able to receive invitations even with CRS scores far
below typical all-program or PNP draws.
This draw clearly demonstrated the impact of category-based
Express Entry selections, where meeting in-demand occupation criteria can
outweigh CRS competitiveness. For candidates in agriculture and agri-food
roles, this created a highly accessible pathway to permanent residence.
A&M Canadian Immigration Law Corporation supports
candidates in identifying category-based eligibility, aligning work experience
with NOC requirements, and preparing strong Express Entry applications under
occupation-specific and targeted IRCC draws.
