Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently conducted its second Express Entry draw of the week, issuing 3,300 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this draw was 507.
This draw followed a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw held just a day earlier, in which 1,121 candidates were invited, requiring a minimum CRS score of 694. These back-to-back draws highlight a recent trend by IRCC to conduct multiple draws within a short time frame, particularly focusing on PNP and CEC candidates.
Overview of Recent Express Entry Draws
The last series of Express Entry draws took place between August 13 and August 15, 2024. The details are as follows:
- August 13, 2024: A PNP-only draw with 763 candidates invited and a minimum CRS score of 690.
- August 14, 2024: A CEC draw with 3,200 candidates invited, requiring a minimum CRS score of 509.
- August 15, 2024: A category-based selection draw targeting French-speaking candidates.
IRCC’s recent pattern of holding multiple draws every other week aligns with the department’s priority of reducing the number of temporary residents in Canada while working towards the permanent resident admissions targets outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026. The plan aims to welcome 110,770 newcomers through Express Entry in 2024 and 117,500 in 2025.
Highlights of 2024 Express Entry Draw
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 27 | Canada Experience Class | 3300 | 507 |
| August 26 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1112 | 694 |
| August 15 | French language proficiency | 2000 | 394 |
| August 14 | Canada Experience Class | 3200 | 509 |
| August 13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 763 | 690 |
| July 31 | Canada Experience Class | 5000 | 510 |
| July 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 964 | 686 |
| July 18 | French language proficiency | 1800 | 400 |
| July 17 | Canada Experience Class | 6300 | 515 |
| July 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1391 | 670 |
| July 08 | French proficiency | 3200 | 420 |
| July 05 | Healthcare occupations | 3750 | 445 |
| July 04 | Trade occupations | 1800 | 436 |
| July 02 | Provincial Nominee Program | 920 | 739 |
| June 19 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1499 | 663 |
| May 31 | Canada Experience Class | 3000 | 522 |
| May 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 2,985 | 676 |
| April 24 | French 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 proficiency | 1,500 | 388 |
| March 25 | General | 1,980 | 524 |
| March 13 | Trade occupations | 975 | 430 |
| March 12 | General | 2,850 | 525 |
| February 29 | French 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 01 | French proficiency | 7,000 | 365 |
| January 31 | General | 730 | 541 |
| January 23 | General | 1,040 | 543 |
| January 10 | General | 1,510 | 546 |
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an application management system that oversees three prominent economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.
Candidates in these programs are evaluated and ranked based on human capital factors using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). They receive scores for their occupation, work experience, age, education, language ability, and other factors such as whether they are immigrating with a spouse or partner or have a sibling in Canada.
The points they receive for each factor are added together to form an overall CRS score. Those with the highest scores are more likely to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada in an upcoming Express Entry draw.
In May 2023, IRCC announced it would begin holding category-based rounds of invitations for Express Entry candidates who meet certain criteria due to their occupation or language abilities.
Conclusion
IRCC’s recent strategy of increasing the frequency of draws, especially for PNP and CEC candidates, is a clear indication of its commitment to meeting the targets set in the Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026. With the continued focus on category-based draws, candidates with specific skills, language proficiency, or work experience stand a strong chance of receiving an ITA in upcoming rounds. To know more you can contact us
FAQs
1. What is the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)?
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of the three main immigration programs managed under Express Entry. It is designed for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents.
2. What is the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)?
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a points-based system used by IRCC to assess and rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. Points are awarded based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language ability, and other criteria.
3. How often does IRCC hold Express Entry draws?
IRCC typically holds Express Entry draws every two weeks, although there has been an increasing trend of holding multiple draws within a week, especially for specific categories like PNP and CEC.
4. What is the significance of the category-based draws?
Category-based draws are a new initiative by IRCC to target candidates with specific skills, language proficiency, or work experience. This allows IRCC to address labour market needs more effectively.
5. What are the targets for Express Entry admissions in 2024 and 2025?
IRCC aims to welcome 110,770 newcomers through Express Entry in 2024 and 117,500 in 2025 as part of its Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026.
