Program delivery update: Express Entry: Category-based selection and clarifying the assessment of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
September 08, 2023
To ensure that the Express Entry system is responsive to Canada’s changing economic and labour market needs, section 11.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) was amended to grant the authority to the minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to issue Express Entry invitations to apply for permanent residence on the basis of eligibility for a category (category-based selection).
The Express Entry program delivery instructions have been updated to reflect the changes to section 11.2 and to instruct officers on how to assess Express Entry category-based selection applications where the principal applicant was invited by virtue of their membership in a category.
The instructions have been updated to provide clarity on how to assess Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for
- education
- a certificate of qualification
- a change in circumstance declared after an e-APR has been submitted