In the First Express Entry draw of 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) extended invitations to 1,510 candidates in a general draw. Applicants were mandated to meet a minimum CRS score of 546. This marks the initial Express Entry draw for the year, highlighting Canada’s commitment to immigration and attracting skilled individuals.
IRCC’s inclusive approach spurs 7 Express Entry draws
IRCC took a broad stance in the most recent Express Entry draw, which included all administered programs, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the CEC, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). The draws took place from December 18 to December 21. Notably, on December 18, the authorities invited 1,325 candidates to an all-program draw, and these candidates had a minimum CRS score of 524. This inclusive approach stays away from focusing only on certain professions or human resources.
The candidates who satisfied the requirements for category-based selection under one of the six eligible categories were the focus of the final three draws held in December. On December 19, the authorities conducted a draw for trades occupations, inviting 1,000 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 425. A second draw was held, and it invited 670 individuals with a minimum CRS score of 435 for transport vocations on 20 December.
On December 21, 400 applicants for positions in agriculture and agri-food were drawn, and ITAs could only be sent to those who met a minimum CRS score of 386.
IRCC held three draws between December 6 and December 8 in advance of these draws. An all-program draw including applicants from many categories was held on December 6. Candidates that fit under the French language proficiency criteria came into focus on December 7. Ultimately, a drawing for applicants to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) positions took place on December 8.
Interestingly, there were seven Express Entry draws in December—that’s the most draws in a single month for the whole year 2023. This surge came after a six-week break that began on October 26 and ended with the December 6 draw. The purpose of the halt was not formally disclosed by the IRCC.
Recap of Express Entry draws from June 2023 onward
- Dec 19: Invited 1,000 for Trade Occupations, min CRS 425.
- Dec 18: All-program draw, 1,325 invitations, min CRS 542.
- Dec 8: STEM Occupations draw, 5,900 ITAs, min CRS 481.
- Dec 7: French Proficiency draw, 1,000 candidates, min CRS 470.
- Dec 6: All-program draw, 4,750 invitations, min CRS 561.
- Oct 26: Healthcare Occupations draw, 3,600 invitations, min CRS 431.
- Oct 25: French Proficiency draw, 300 ITAs, min CRS 486.
- Oct 24: PNP-only draw, 1,548 invitations, high min CRS 776.
- Oct 10: All-program draw, 3,725 invitations, min CRS 500.
- Sept 28: Agriculture draw, 600 invitations, min CRS 354.
- Sept 27: French Proficiency draw, 500 ITAs, min CRS 472.
- Sept 26: All-program draw, 3,000 invitations, min CRS 504.
- Sept 20: Transport draw, 1,000 invitations, min CRS 435.
- Sept 19: All-program draw, 3,200 invitations, min CRS 531.
- Aug 15: All-program draw, 4,300 ITAs, min CRS 496.
- Aug 3: Trade Occupations draw, 1,500, min CRS 388.
- Aug 2: French Proficiency draw, 800 ITAs, min CRS 435.
- Aug 1: All-program draw, 2,000 invitations, min CRS 517.
- July 12: French Proficiency draw, 3,800 ITAs, min CRS 375.
- July 11: All-program draw, 800 ITAs, min CRS 505.
- July 7: French Proficiency draw, 2,300 ITAs, min CRS 439.
- July 6: Healthcare draw, 1,500 invitations, min CRS 463.
- July 5: STEM Occupations draw, 500 ITAs, min CRS 486.
- July 4: All-program draw, 700 invitations, min CRS 511.
- June 28: Healthcare draw, 500 invitations, min CRS 476.
- June 27: All-program draw, 4,300 ITAs, min CRS 486.
- June 8: All-program draw, 4,800 ITAs, min CRS 486.
In 2024, how will Express Entry look?
As part of the Immigration Levels Plan 2024–2026, 110,000 new permanent residents will use Express Entry in 2024.
The IRCC targeted 82,880 Express Entry candidates in 2023, representing an increase. A high goal does not guarantee acceptance for all applicants by the end of 2024, even if the number is high. The majority of immigrants will arrive in 2025, especially those invited later in the year. The Express Entry process takes six months from application to final decision at the IRCC due to its six-month service standard.
The IRCC granted over 100,000 ITAs to Express Entry applicants in 2023.
An overview of Express Entry
Express Entry processes federal skilled worker applications, Canadian experience applications, and federal skilled trade applications.
The Comprehensive Ranking System ranks candidates for these three economic immigration programs based on their human capital traits. This assessment includes several factors such as age, occupation, employment experience, education, and language proficiency. After scoring each attribute, evaluators rate candidates relative to one another.
Candidates in any of the three Express Entry programs may also receive ITAs in a category-based selection draw focusing on a specific attribute. Authorities introduced this type of draw with six categories in May 2023.
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare
- STEM professions
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Transport
- Trades
In an upcoming Express Entry draw, candidates are likely to receive an ITA, regardless of the program or type of draw for which they are selected.
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