7,000 Express Entry ITAs were issued to the French proficiency draw. The IRCC’s emphasis on linguistic variety in immigration selection criteria is shown by this draw, which is centered on French fluency. The minimum CRS score required of candidates was 365, the lowest CRS barrier of the year. To improve your chances of being granted immigration to Canada, keep up with the standards for language proficiency and Express Entry draws.
This week’s draw is the second of its kind. The first was on January 31 and invited 730 candidates to a general draw, which required a minimum CRS score of 541.
Two other draws were held in January: a general draw on January 23 invited 1,040 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 543, and another general draw on January 10 invited 1,510 candidates with a CRS score of 546.
Even though the year is still early, it is still difficult to forecast how Express Entry draws will develop in 2024. Over 110,000 individuals received ITAs from the IRCC in 42 draws held in 2023. These initiatives were in line with the Immigration Levels Plan’s admissions goals for 2023 and 2024. Follow along for updates on the Express Entry system’s development during the course of the current year.
Overview of Express Entry Draw Outcomes in 2024
- February 1: French language proficiency draw, issuing 7,000 ITAs with a minimum CRS of 365.
- January 31: General draw, granting 730 ITAs with a minimum CRS of 541.
- January 23: General draw, providing 1,040 ITAs with a minimum CRS of 543.
- January 10: General draw, offering 1,510 ITAs with a minimum CRS of 546.
Many candidates under the Express Entry system work in Canada after graduating from a Canadian post-secondary institution in order to gain the required work experience for their programs. The Post-Graduation Work visa is a popular work visa for recent graduates (PGWP).
IRCC modified the PGWP qualifying requirements on January 22. International students participating in a private college program that is part of a curriculum licensing agreement with a public college will no longer be eligible for a PGWP as of September 1.
Moreover, graduate students who are enrolled in programs that go longer than the allotted eight months will now qualify for a three-year PGWP. As of right now, graduates whose programs run fewer than eight months are not eligible for a PGWP, and the validity of a PGWP is closely related to how long the graduate’s academic program lasts. For example, a one-year permit currently equates to a one-year program.
These changes will afford more graduate-level students the opportunity to accumulate sufficient work experience in Canada. This increased experience will make them eligible to qualify for the Express Entry application pool.
An overview of Express Entry
The Express Entry application management system oversees the processing of submissions from the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), the CEC, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), taking charge of administering applications within the Express Entry system.
The CRS assesses applications for these programs, assigning scores based on a variety of human capital characteristics. These characteristics encompass age, occupation, education, work experience, and language ability. For instance, a candidate in the 20–29 age range receives 100 CRS points, while candidates aged 30 and older receive fewer points.
In May 2023, the IRCC announced the introduction of category-based selection draws for Express Entry candidates. These draws specifically target individuals who can demonstrate work experience in high-demand occupations. While one category is dedicated to applicants with fluent French proficiency, the remaining five are segmented based on occupational criteria.
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- Trades occupations, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
- Healthcare occupations
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
There are several steps involved in starting the Express Entry application process. Initially, individuals need to assess their eligibility for any of the three distinct Express Entry programs. Each program comes with its own set of requirements. The subsequent phase involves the establishment of a profile in the Express Entry database, wherein candidates obtain a CRS score. Candidates then wait to get an invitation to apply, which is given out at the Express Entry drawing.
Candidates who receive an ITA are granted a 60-day window to fulfill the final step. This involves compiling the necessary paperwork and submitting their application for permanent residency to IRCC.
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