IRCC conducted its first category-based draw on June 28, 2023. Here’s the yearly review of category-based Express Entry draws.
The new draw type was declared in May of last year as a way for Canada’s immigration department to attract skilled newcomers based on specific national labor gaps and demographic challenges.
In simpler terms, IRCC chose to implement this new type of Express Entry draw so that Canada would attract foreign nationals with specific in-demand work experience and proficiencies.
Note: Despite focusing on applicants with certain in-demand attributes, Comprehensive Ranking System scores remain a factor for category-based draws.
Specifically, in 2024, IRCC has chosen to prioritize applicants with the following work experience and language proficiencies via category-based draws:
- Healthcare professions
- STEN Professions
- Trades Professions
- Transport Professions
- Agriculture and Agri-Culture Profession
- French-Language Proficiency
Draw Type, Frequency, and CRS Scores
Apart from the yearly review of category-based Express Entry draws, it is vital to note that the first draw was conducted one year ago. IRCC has conducted nearly 25 category-based draws.
When separated by category, statistics reveal that CRS cut-off scores varied significantly.
Note: Cut-off scores show the lowest eligible Express Entry profile score among all applicants who obtained an Invitation to Apply during a given Express Entry draw. These scores are significant because applicants without a CRS score above the determined cut-off will not be eligible for an ITA during that specific draw.
| Date Of Draw | Category | CRS Cut-Off Score | Number Of ITAs Issued |
| June 28, 2023 | Healthcare | 476 | 500 |
| July 5, 2023 | STEM | 486 | 500 |
| July 6, 2023 | Healthcare | 463 | 1,500 |
| July 7, 2023 | French | 439 | 2,300 |
| July 12, 2023 | French | 375 | 3,800 |
| August 2, 2023 | French | 435 | 800 |
| August 3, 2023 | Trades | 388 | 1,500 |
| September 20, 2023 | Transport | 435 | 1,000 |
| September 27, 2023 | French | 472 | 500 |
| September 28, 2023 | Agriculture and Agri-Food | 354 | 600 |
| October 25, 2023 | French | 486 | 300 |
| October 26, 2023 | Healthcare | 431 | 3,600 |
| December 7, 2023 | French | 470 | 1,000 |
| December 8, 2023 | STEM | 481 | 5,900 |
| December 19, 2023 | Trades | 425 | 1,000 |
| December 20, 2023 | Transport | 435 | 670 |
| December 21, 2023 | Agriculture and Agri-Food | 386 | 400 |
| February 1, 2024 | French | 365 | 7,000 |
| February 14, 2024 | Healthcare | 422 | 3,500 |
| February 16, 2024 | Agriculture and Agri-Food | 437 | 150 |
| February 29, 2024 | French | 336 | 2,500 |
| March 13, 2024 | Transport | 430 | 975 |
| March 26, 2024 | French | 338 | 1,500 |
| April 11, 2024 | STEM | 491 | 4,500 |
| April 24, 2024 | French | 410 | 1,400 |
Total ITAs Issued
While IRCC chose all six of these categories as priorities for this new draw type, the number of ITAs issued to applicants in every category also varied significantly in the last year.
- Healthcare: 9,100 ITAs
- STEM: 10,900 ITAs
- Trades: 2,500 ITAs
- Transport: 2,645 ITAs
- Agriculture and Agri-food: 1,150 ITAs
- French-Language Proficiency: 21,100 ITAs
What’s Ahead For The Rest Of 2024?
IRCC has already outlined its overall plan for ITA distribution between these six categories for 2024.
To recap, IRCC has noted that, separated by category, this is the percentage of ITAs each category will obtain this year.
- Healthcare:15%
- STEM: 25%
- Trades: 5%
- Transport: 3%
- Agriculture and Agri-Food: 0.5%
- French-Language Proficiency: 30%
Note: IRCC also demonstrated that over 78.5% of all Express Entry ITAs would be issued to category-based draw applicants, while the remaining 21.5% of ITAs will be issued in general draws throughout the year.
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