Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its first Express Entry draw of the week, inviting 1,085 candidates through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
To qualify, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 727.
This marks the third Express Entry draw in December. Earlier draws this month included:
- December 2: A PNP-specific draw.
- December 3: A category-based draw for French language proficiency candidates.
In November, IRCC conducted six Express Entry draws, issuing 5,507 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency.
Looking Ahead to 2025
This trend is expected to align with Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027. The newly introduced “In-Canada” focus category will prioritize candidates from:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Regional programs
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
By 2025, the “In-Canada” category will account for 82,980 permanent resident admissions, representing over 40% of Canada’s planned annual admissions.
Full Details of the Express Entry Draw: December 16, 2024
Provincial Nominee Program
Date and Time: December 16, 2024
CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate Invited: 727
Number of Invitations Issued: 1,085
Rank Needed: 1,085 or above
Tie-Breaking Rule: September 18, 2024, at 13:39:10 UT
