IRCC released the results of its very first category-based Express Entry draw for Agriculture and Agri-food occupations on September 28, 2023.
The new Express Entry draw for Agriculture and Agri-food occupations witnessed a sharp fall in the CRS cut-off. The category-based draws invited 600 profiles with a minimum CRS score of 354 points or more.
The draw for Agriculture and Agri-food occupations attracts foreign skilled workers, including butchers, farm supervisors, and agriculture service contractors.
IRCC focused on only three occupations in the Agriculture and Agri-food category for the Express Entry draw, causing the CRS cut-off to be among the lowest among the recent Express Entry draws.
Express Entry shifts to category-based draws
Canada aims to bridge the labor market gaps in specific industry sectors by holding category-based Express Entry draws. The 2022 revision in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) authorizes the Canadian immigration minister to boost Canada’s economy and promote the French language across the country by selecting relevant Express Entry profiles.
IRCC selected the following categories for Express Entry draws to help Canada attract the right talent to address the labor needs in in-demand occupations and to welcome newcomers with French language proficiency.
- Healthcare
- STEM (Science, Technology. Engineering, Mathematics) occupations
- Trades
- Transport
- Agriculture and Agri-food
- French language skills
Canada conducted Express Entry draws for all categories except Agriculture and Agri-food. The September 28 Express Entry draw is the first draw targeting occupations in the Agriculture and Agri-food category.
