Get the most recent information on ITAs, CRS scores, PNP & CEC selections, and the IRCC’s category-based focus for 2024 immigration targets in relation to Canada’s Express Entry draws.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates were the sole focus of an Express Entry draw held by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on October 7. Candidates who had obtained a PNP nomination were sent 1,613 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) by the IRCC in this round; in order to be considered, candidates had to receive a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 743.
Only candidates for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) were invited in the previous draw on September 19, which was limited to 4,000 people with a minimum CRS score of 509. In comparison to the CEC-focused draw on August 27, which had a minimum score of 507, this draw shows a modest increase in CRS.
Trends in Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Draws
There have been more CEC-specific draws since July; 21,800 ITAs have been given to these candidates. This is in line with the IRCC’s plan to help the department meet its annual residency goals while increasing the number of domestic candidates who obtain permanent residency.
There are usually a lot of draws in October, as seen by the four draws that were held last year and which attracted a total of 9,173 candidates. The IRCC’s dedication to giving priority to candidates who are currently making a positive impact on Canada’s workforce and economy is evident in the recent CEC-focused draws.
Understanding Express Entry
The Express Entry system was introduced in 2015 with the purpose of processing applications for economic immigration. The CRS is used to evaluate candidates who qualify for any of the three primary programs: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Federal Skilled Worker Program. Candidates are scored based on a variety of criteria, including age, occupation, education, language proficiency, and job experience.
Having high CRS scores is crucial since it raises your chances of getting an ITA. It may increase a candidate’s chances of selection if they obtain extra points from PNP nominations or category-specific lotteries.
Category-Based Selection: A Targeted Approach
The category-based selection draws implemented by the IRCC in May 2023 cater to certain labor market demands. Candidates from industries like Healthcare, STEM, skilled trades, transportation, agriculture, and those with fluency in French are given preference in these draws.
The CRS cut-off in category-based drawings is frequently lower than in general draws, which reflects the high demand for applicants in these domains. The labor market conditions were studied and extensive consultations were held before deciding on the categories, which prioritized the development of French-speaking towns outside of Quebec.
Summary of 2024 Express Entry Draws
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,613 | 743 |
| September 19 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 509 |
| September 13 | French Language Proficiency | 1,000 | 446 |
| September 9 | Provincial Nominee Program | 911 | 732 |
| August 27 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,300 | 507 |
| August 26 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,121 | 694 |
| August 15 | French Language Proficiency | 2,000 | 394 |
| August 14 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,200 | 509 |
| August 13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 763 | 690 |
| July 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 5,000 | 510 |
| July 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 964 | 686 |
| July 18 | French Language Proficiency | 1,800 | 400 |
| July 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 6,300 | 515 |
| July 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,391 | 670 |
| July 8 | French Language Proficiency | 3,200 | 420 |
| July 5 | Healthcare Occupations | 3,750 | 445 |
| July 4 | Trade Occupations | 1,800 | 436 |
| July 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 920 | 739 |
| June 19 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,499 | 663 |
| May 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 522 |
| May 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 2,985 | 676 |
| April 24 | French Language Proficiency | 1,400 | 410 |
| April 23 | General | 2,095 | 529 |
| April 11 | STEM Occupations | 4,500 | 491 |
| April 10 | General | 1,280 | 549 |
| March 26 | French Language Proficiency | 1,500 | 388 |
| March 25 | General | 1,980 | 524 |
| March 13 | Transport Occupations | 975 | 430 |
| March 12 | General | 2,850 | 525 |
| February 29 | French Language Proficiency | 2,500 | 336 |
| February 28 | General | 1,470 | 534 |
| February 16 | Agriculture and Agri-Food | 150 | 437 |
| February 14 | Healthcare Occupations | 3,500 | 422 |
| February 13 | General | 1,490 | 535 |
| February 1 | French Language Proficiency | 7,000 | 365 |
| January 31 | General | 730 | 541 |
| January 23 | General | 1,040 | 543 |
| January 10 | General | 1,510 | 546 |
An overview of the Express Entry draws conducted so far in 2024 can be found in the table above. A different applicant pool is targeted by each draw, and the minimum CRS scores vary according to program or category requirements.
The Express Entry system continues to be a mainstay of Canada’s immigration framework, offering avenues for applicants with a variety of skill sets and disciplines through frequent drawings and focused approaches. As the year proceeds, IRCC is likely to maintain these concentrated draws, increasing the pathways to permanent residency for skilled persons willing to contribute to Canada’s economy and society.