The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently issued 911 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the latest Express Entry draw. This specific draw targeted candidates from the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), requiring a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 732 for consideration.
Recent Trends in Express Entry Draws
This draw marks the first Express Entry draw of the month and follows a busy summer for IRCC. Throughout July and August, IRCC conducted 14 separate Express Entry draws, breaking records. Notably, July had the highest number of draws in a single month since the system was launched in 2015, with nine draws occurring between July 2 and July 31.
One of the recent draws, held on August 27, invited 3,330 candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program. IRCC appears to be adopting a strategy of conducting multiple draws every other week. These often include at least one draw for PNP candidates, aligning with IRCC’s objective to prioritize “domestic” candidates. This strategy seeks to offer increased opportunities for temporary residents in Canada to transition to permanent residency while also reducing the number of temporary entrants.
Summary of Recent Express Entry Draw Results
IRCC’s Express Entry draws continue to vary in focus and CRS score thresholds. Here’s a brief overview of the most recent draws in 2024:
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
| September 9 | Provincial Nominee Program | 911 | 732 |
| August 27 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,300 | 507 |
| August 26 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,121 | 694 |
| August 15 | French Language Proficiency | 2,000 | 394 |
| August 14 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,200 | 509 |
| August 13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 763 | 690 |
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an application management system introduced by IRCC in 2015 to streamline the selection process for economic immigration candidates. It manages three key immigration programs:
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) plays a crucial role in ranking candidates based on their attributes, such as language proficiency, work experience, education, occupation, and age. Candidates with the highest scores are more likely to receive an ITA.
In addition, candidates can apply through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which is aligned with Express Entry through an enhanced nomination process. If a candidate receives a provincial nomination, they are automatically awarded 600 additional CRS points, greatly increasing their chances of receiving an ITA in subsequent draws.
Category-Based Selection in Express Entry
In 2023, IRCC introduced category-based selection draws to target candidates with specific in-demand skills. These draws focus on candidates’ work experience rather than being tied to a particular immigration program. As a result, the minimum CRS score required for these draws is generally lower compared to program-specific or general draws. The six categories are:
- Healthcare occupations
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- Trades occupations (e.g., carpenters, plumbers, contractors)
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
- French-language proficiency
IRCC reviews these categories annually to ensure they align with changing labor market needs and demographic demands. The categories may evolve as priorities shift in the coming years.
The IRCC’s Express Entry system continues to evolve with multiple draw types, category-based selections, and varying CRS thresholds aimed at addressing Canada’s labor market needs. The focus on domestic candidates, especially through the Provincial Nominee Program and category-based draws, highlights Canada’s commitment to enabling a smoother transition for temporary residents and workers in high-demand fields to become permanent residents. This strategy ensures that Canada remains competitive in attracting skilled workers and meeting its demographic goals for economic growth.
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