Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued invitations to apply (ITAs) in Canada’s most recent Express Entry draw.
The department issued 2,985 ITAs in a program-specific draw for candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 676 to be considered.
Since the start of category-based selection drawings in June 2023, this was the first Express Entry draw that was specifically for a program. Program-specific draws, as opposed to general draws, which invite applications from all programs, take into account just those candidates from the Express Entry pool who have applied through a particular permanent residency program.
Following a one-month break in drawings, today’s is also the first since April 24.
The IRCC has not provided an explanation for the hold-up. Nonetheless, the government stated in a recent Access to Information Request that this year’s drawings will all take place according to a set timetable. That timetable is not publicly available, per IRCC. Additionally, it stated that the size and frequency of draws will be decided by the admissions objectives for 2024 and 2025.
There were four draws in April before to the break. On April 10, 1,280 applicants were invited to the general draw for the first April draw. In a category-based selection draw for STEM vocations, the government awarded 4,500 ITAs to Express Entry hopefuls the next day.
The last two drawings were held on April 23 and 24. The IRCC invited 1,400 candidates to a selection draw based on French proficiency categories on the 24th, and 2,095 candidates to a general draw on the 23rd.
A recent Access to Information Request states that in 2024, competency in French is anticipated to top category-based selection draws. According to the IRCC, this is because hiring multilingual candidates is rather common.
Additionally, according to the department, applicants who speak French well typically score higher on the CRS, increasing their chances of achieving effective economic integration as a whole.
Healthcare vocations will have 15% ITAs, whereas STEM occupations will have 25% ITAs. This year, 5% or fewer of all ITAs awarded in category-based draws will come from the transportation, trade, agricultural, and agri-food sectors.
There were plans to issue general drawings for the remaining 21.5% of ITAs. Notably, program-specific drawings were not mentioned.
Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024
What is Express Entry?
Three of Canada’s most well-known economic immigration programs are managed by Express Entry, an application management system: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
Although the qualifying conditions for each program vary, they are always assessed using the same Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Express Entry candidates receive a point score via the CRS for a number of human capital variables, including age, education, job experience, vocation, language proficiency, and whether or not they are coming with a spouse or partner.
The ultimate CRS score for applicants is calculated by adding each score. The candidates most likely to get an ITA in a future Express Entry lottery are those with higher scores.
Additionally, the IRCC implemented category-based selection draws in May 2023 for Express Entry applicants who meet certain language or work experience requirements. The following six categories are:
- Healthcare occupations
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- Trades occupations, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
- Strong French proficiency
These categories will remain in place throughout 2024 but may change in 2025.
Immigration candidates must be in the Express Entry pool and meet other category requirements to be considered.
