Another round of Express Entry drawings took place in March, demonstrating Canada’s continued commitment to allowing applicants to apply for permanent residency (PR) status. The draws from last month showed recurring trends that could provide information about future directions for Express Entry. Gain key insights into March 2024 Express Entry draws here.
Impact of Express Entry Candidate Pool Composition on Score Cut-Offs and Draw Sizes
While it may be difficult to understand how the makeup of the Express Entry pool affects CRS score cut-offs and draw sizes, a few key patterns become apparent.
It is complicated to comprehend how the preferences, qualifications, and demographics of candidates in the Express Entry pool influence the draw sizes and CRS score cut-offs. But when historical data is examined and patterns are noticed, some fundamental themes start to emerge.
Arrangement of scores and CRS thresholds
One major aspect affecting the CRS score cut-offs in future drawings is the distribution of current scores among candidates in the Express Entry pool. The IRCC uses these CRS scores as a key tool to help them decide on the right cut-off score for qualified candidates and the size of each draw.
Decision-making may also be influenced by other factors like labor market demands or particular immigration regulations, but the distribution of CRS scores within the pool is still crucial. It contributes to the overall decision-making process by acting as a useful indicator of the suitability and flexibility of immigration prospects within the pool.
Category-specific draws also influence this distribution
For candidates applying for Express Entry, IRCC holds category-specific drawings in addition to the standard CRS score-based draws. These draws don’t just concentrate on CRS scores; they also target those with certain professional expertise or language skills. The goal is to address Canada’s labor market and demographic needs.
These draws affect the distribution of scores within the Express Entry pool when inviting candidates, even if they take into account variables other than CRS scores. Thus, it could be useful to include an analysis of these draws.
March Express Entry Draw Overview – Invitations and Trends
In the month of March, four Express Entry draws took place.
Two of these drawings were universal draws, meaning that candidates who reached the necessary CRS cut-off might be invited from any of the three Express Entry-managed programs. Even though the cut-off scores are still higher than they were a year ago, these kinds of patterns usually appear at the start of the year. Past performance indicates that cut-offs for general draws gradually decrease as the year goes on.
The final two draws were category-specific choices geared toward careers in transportation and fluency in French. Notably, these draws were the first of the year for jobs related to transportation and the third for proficiency in French. French-speaking applicants have been invited to apply for permanent residence (PR) through the federal Express Entry system much more quickly than through Quebec’s immigration system. Some of the lowest CRS score cut-offs in Express Entry history were recorded in these draws.
Further details regarding the draws are provided in the table below.
- On March 12, 2024, a general draw was conducted, issuing 2,850 invitations with a CRS score cut-off of 525.
- On March 13, 2024, a draw targeting transport occupations was held, resulting in 975 invitations with a CRS score cut-off of 430.
- Another general draw took place on March 25, 2024, issuing 1,980 invitations with a CRS score cut-off of 524.
- Lastly, on March 26, 2024, a draw focused on French language proficiency was conducted, resulting in 1,500 invitations with a CRS score cut-off of 388.
Key Insights into the March 2024 Express Entry Draws
There are currently 211,944 profiles in the Express Entry applicant pool, which is a slight increase of about 700 profiles over the level at the end of February. The distribution of scores has stayed mostly stable, with very minor fluctuations in the proportion of applicants falling into particular scoring ranges.
Below is a comprehensive table displaying score distributions and the corresponding number of individuals in the pool.
- There are 5,390 candidates in the score range of 0-300.
- In the score range of 301-350, there are 28,287 candidates.
- 55,586 candidates fall within the score range of 351-400.
- There are 10,495 candidates with scores ranging from 401 to 410.
- 10,610 candidates have scores between 411 and 420.
- 9,296 candidates fall within the score range of 421-430.
- The score range of 431-440 includes 10,309 candidates.
- 10,172 candidates have scores ranging from 441 to 450.
- 11,188 candidates fall within the score range of 451-460.
- 13,218 candidates have scores between 461 and 470.
- 17,105 candidates are in the score range of 471-480.
- There are 10,683 candidates with scores ranging from 481 to 490.
- 8,294 candidates have scores between 491 and 500.
- The score range of 501-600 includes 10,324 candidates.
- 987 candidates have scores ranging from 601 to 1200.
Determining Your Score Percentile in the Candidate Pool
One can determine the percentile ranking of a score in relation to the total Express Entry applicant pool by taking into account the upper bound of each score range.
Percentiles offer valuable information about how a certain score compares to the entire score distribution. An individual’s percentile score, for example, would be 52.07% if their CRS score was 420. This means that their score is higher than 52.07% of all the scores in the pool.
Below is the comprehensive breakdown of score percentiles:
- A score of 300 corresponds to the 2.54th percentile.
- At a score of 350, the percentile is 15.89.
- 400 points equate to the 42.12th percentile.
- 410 points represent the 47.07th percentile.
- A score of 420 places an individual in the 52.07th percentile.
- 430 points correspond to the 56.46th percentile.
- 440 points equate to the 61.32nd percentile.
- A score of 450 corresponds to the 66.12th percentile.
- 460 points represent the 71.40th percentile.
- 470 points place an individual in the 77.64th percentile.
- 480 points equate to the 85.71st percentile.
- A score of 490 corresponds to the 90.75th percentile.
- 500 points represent the 94.66th percentile.
- 600 points equate to the 99.53rd percentile.
- Finally, a score of 1200 places an individual in the 100th percentile.
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