Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have conducted a new healthcare-focused Express Entry draw, marking the first such event since July 2024. In this draw, 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued to eligible candidates under a healthcare category-based selection. To qualify, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 463.
This draw is part of a busy week for Express Entry, with two other draws already conducted: a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on November 19 and a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on November 18. It is the second consecutive week of multiple Express Entry draws, reflecting IRCC’s commitment to meeting Canada’s growing immigration demands.
Overview of Recent Express Entry Draws
The healthcare-specific draw marks the third Express Entry draw in the week following a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on November 19 and a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on November 18. This is also the second consecutive week that multiple Express Entry draws have occurred
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the latest draws conducted in November:
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
| November 20 | Healthcare occupations | 3,000 | 463 |
| November 19 | Canadian Experience Class | 400 | 539 |
| November 18 | Provincial Nominee Program | 174 | 816 |
Federal Immigration Targets and New Categories
The federal government has ambitious targets for Express Entry immigration, as outlined in the 2024 Immigration Levels Plan. Canada aims to admit 124,680 immigrants through the Express Entry system in 2025, representing a significant increase over previous years.
Of this total, 82,000 admissions will focus on the newly introduced In-Canada Focus category, primarily composed of Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. Additionally, candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and PNP-aligned Express Entry streams may also qualify for this category.
Another 41,700 admissions will be allocated to the Federal Economic Priorities category, targeting candidates with experience in high-demand professions within the Canadian labour market.
Understanding the Express Entry System
Express Entry is Canada’s application management system for its three major economic immigration pathways:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Candidates are evaluated based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores, which take into account several factors, such as:
- Age
- Education
- Work experience
- Language proficiency in English or French
Additional CRS points can be awarded for:
- Having a sibling in Canada
- Applying with a spouse or common-law partner
- A combination of Canadian and foreign education or work experience
Candidates who secure a Provincial Nomination through an enhanced PNP stream receive an additional 600 CRS points, significantly boosting their chances of receiving an ITA in subsequent draws.
Summary of Express Entry Draws for 2024
Below is a summary of all Express Entry draws conducted by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2024. This data showcases the type of draws, the number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued, and the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for each draw.
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
| November 20 | Healthcare occupations | 3,000 | 463 |
| November 19 | Canadian Experience Class | 400 | 539 |
| November 18 | Provincial Nominee Program | 174 | 816 |
| November 15 | French language proficiency | 800 | 478 |
| November 13 | Canadian Experience Class | 400 | 547 |
| November 12 | Provincial Nominee Program | 733 | 812 |
| October 23 | Trade occupations | 1,800 | 433 |
| October 22 | Canadian Experience Class | 400 | 539 |
| October 21 | Provincial Nominee Program | 648 | 791 |
| October 10 | French language proficiency | 1,000 | 444 |
| October 9 | Canadian Experience Class | 500 | 539 |
| 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 occupations | 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 |
This data reflects IRCC’s ongoing efforts to manage skilled immigration and address the economic needs of Canada through a balanced and transparent system.
The steady stream of draws and the introduction of new categories, such as the In-Canada Focus, highlight Canada’s evolving approach to immigration, ensuring a robust, skilled workforce to meet the country’s current and future needs.
For further insights and guidance on immigration pathways, consult SWEC’s experienced visa and immigration consultants.
