Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the latest Express Entry draw, focusing exclusively on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. This draw is part of an active month for the Express Entry system, which has seen a mix of program-specific and category-based selections.
PNP-Specific Draw Details
In this latest draw, IRCC invited 964 candidates from the PNP stream. To qualify for an invitation, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 686. This score reflects various factors, including age, education, work experience, and language abilities, which collectively determine a candidate’s potential contribution to Canada’s labor market.
This month has been particularly busy for Express Entry, marking the eighth draw. The draws have alternated between program-specific selections, such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and PNP, and category-based selections. Notably, category-based draws have predominantly targeted candidates with French language proficiency, resulting in 5,000 ITAs being issued over two draws. Additionally, on July 5, IRCC issued 3,750 ITAs to healthcare candidates, and on July 4, 1,800 ITAs were issued to candidates in trade occupations.
Program-Specific Draws and ITAs
The high volume of ITAs extends to program-specific draws as well. By July 18, IRCC had issued invitations to 6,300 CEC candidates and 2,311 PNP candidates. These candidates often already reside and work in Canada as temporary residents, making their transition to permanent residency smoother. The return to program-specific draws on May 30, after a year-long hiatus, aligns with IRCC’s strategy to prioritize domestic draws.
Reducing Temporary Residents
In March 2023, IRCC announced a new goal to reduce and stabilize the number of temporary residents in Canada while achieving permanent resident targets outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan. This plan aims to streamline the transition from temporary to permanent residency, ensuring a balanced and sustainable immigration system.
Understanding Express Entry
Express Entry is Canada’s flagship application management system for three major economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). These programs utilize the CRS to assess candidates based on human capital factors such as age, education, occupation, language proficiency, and work experience. Candidates with higher CRS scores are more likely to receive ITAs, facilitating their entry into Canada’s workforce and contributing to the country’s demographic and economic growth.
The Express Entry system aims to expedite the processing of high-skilled candidates, with a service standard of six months for processing applications.
Introduction of Category-Based Selection
To address specific labor market needs, IRCC introduced category-based selection draws in May 2023. These categories were determined after extensive consultations with internal and external stakeholders. The selected categories for 2024 are:
- Healthcare occupations
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- Trades occupations, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
- French-language proficiency
- These targeted categories are intended to ensure that Canada attracts candidates with the skills and attributes necessary to meet its economic and demographic goals.
Future of Category-Based Selection
The current categories will remain in effect throughout 2024, although they may be revised next year based on evolving labor market needs and feedback from stakeholders. This dynamic approach allows IRCC to adapt to changing economic conditions and ensure that the immigration system continues to support Canada’s growth and development.
In summary, the latest Express Entry draw highlights Canada’s commitment to attracting skilled immigrants through both program-specific and category-based selections. By focusing on candidates who can contribute significantly to the labor market, IRCC aims to strengthen the country’s workforce and support its long-term economic and demographic objectives.
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