In a promising start to April, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has initiated the month with the first Express Entry draw, extending invitations to 1,280 candidates to apply for permanent residency. This draw required candidates to meet a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 549 for consideration.
April’s Kickoff Draw
April 11, 2024, marks the commencement of the month with the initial Express Entry draw, following a series of four draws held throughout March. The previous month witnessed a total of 7,300 invitations issued, encompassing both general draws and category-based selection draws.
March’s General Draws
March saw two general draws, with the first draw on March 12 inviting 2,850 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 525. The subsequent draw on March 25 extended invitations to 1,980 candidates with a CRS score of 524.
Specialized Category-Based Selection Draws
March also featured two category-based selection draws targeting specific occupations and skill sets. On March 13, IRCC invited 975 candidates in transport occupations with a minimum CRS score of 430. The final draw of the month, on March 26, welcomed 1,500 candidates eligible under the French language proficiency category, requiring a minimum CRS of 388, the highest for this category in 2024.
Overview of 2024 Express Entry Draw Results
Here is a summary of the Express Entry draw results for 2024, detailing the draw type, number of invitations to apply (ITAs), and minimum CRS scores:
- March 26: French language proficiency – 1,500 ITAs, Minimum CRS 388
- March 25: General – 1,980 ITAs, Minimum CRS 524
- March 13: Transport occupations – 975 ITAs, Minimum CRS 430
- March 12: General – 2,850 ITAs, Minimum CRS 525
- February 29: French language proficiency – 2,500 ITAs, Minimum CRS 336
- February 28: General – 1,470 ITAs, Minimum CRS 534
- February 16: Agriculture and agri-food occupations – 150 ITAs, Minimum CRS 437
- February 14: Healthcare occupations – 3,500 ITAs, Minimum CRS 422
- February 13: General – 1,490 ITAs, Minimum CRS 535
- February 1: French language proficiency – 7,000 ITAs, Minimum CRS 365
- January 31: General – 730 ITAs, Minimum CRS 541
- January 23: General – 1,040 ITAs, Minimum CRS 543
- January 10: General – 1,510 ITAs, Minimum CRS 546
Category-Based Selection Criteria
Introduced in May 2023, category-based selection draws aim to target Express Entry candidates with specific in-demand skills or human capital attributes. The six categories introduced in 2023 continue to be utilized in 2024, focusing on:
- Healthcare occupations
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- Trades occupations (e.g., carpenters, plumbers, contractors)
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
- Strong French proficiency
Candidates must have an existing application in the Express Entry pool to be eligible for category-based selection.
Understanding Express Entry
Express Entry serves as an application management system for Canada’s key economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Applicants are evaluated based on various human capital factors such as work experience, occupation, language proficiency, age, and education.
Scores are assigned to each factor and combined to generate a final Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Higher scores increase the likelihood of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residency.
Benefits of Express Entry
One of the primary advantages of Express Entry is its expedited processing times for applications. As the name suggests, candidates can expect faster processing compared to other economic immigration programs. IRCC aims for a service standard of six months for 80% of all Express Entry applications, with more complex cases potentially taking longer.
Conclusion
The inaugural Express Entry draw of April 2024 has seen 1,280 candidates invited to apply for permanent residency, with a minimum CRS score of 549. This draw follows a series of successful draws in March, showcasing the diversity and opportunities available through Canada’s Express Entry system.
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