- IRCC Invites More Candidates for PR through Express Entry
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently extended invitations to apply (ITAs) to 1,470 candidates in a general draw encompassing all Express Entry programs. A minimum score of 534 on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) was necessary for these candidates.
Recent Draws and Requirements
This latest draw follows three others conducted between February 13-16th. On February 13th, IRCC held its second general draw of the month, inviting 1,490 candidates with a minimum CRS of 535. Following this, there were two targeted draws for healthcare and agriculture and agri-food occupations, necessitating CRS scores of at least 422 and 437, respectively.
Recap of Express Entry Draw Outcomes in 2024
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
| February 28 | General | 1470 | 534 |
| February 16 | Agriculture and agri-food occupations | 150 | 437 |
| February 14 | Healthcare occupations | 3,500 | 422 |
| February 13 | General | 1490 | 535 |
| February 1 | French language proficiency | 7,000 | 365 |
| January 31 | General | 730 | 541 |
| January 23 | General | 1,040 | 543 |
| January 10 | General | 1510 | 546 |
Category-Based Selection Unchanged for 2024
IRCC introduced category-based selection rounds in May 2023, focusing on candidates meeting specific criteria in six new Express Entry draw categories:
- Healthcare occupations
- STEM professions
- Trades occupations
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
- Strong French proficiency
Despite earlier speculation, IRCC has confirmed that these categories will remain unchanged for 2024. The selection criteria were established after consultations with various stakeholders, including provincial and territorial governments, settlement services, and Canadian businesses and employers.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry serves as a management system for immigration applications, streamlining the process for economic immigration candidates across three programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Utilizing the Comprehensive Ranking System, Express Entry assigns scores based on human capital attributes such as occupation, education, language ability, work experience, and age.
ITAs Projection for 2024
The department intends to accept 110,770 new PRs through Express Entry in 2024, a significant increase from the 82,880 objective set for the previous year, under the IRCC’s Immigration Levels Plan. This upward trend continues, with numbers set to stabilize at 117,500 in 2025 and 2026.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Starting in 2025, Canada’s allocation for new permanent residents through the PNP will rise to 120,000. This emphasizes provincial pathways as the primary route for welcoming new economic immigrants collectively.
Final Say!
In summary, IRCC’s recent draws and projections underscore Canada’s commitment to welcoming skilled immigrants through the Express Entry system, while also providing insights into future trends and allocations.
