BREAKING NEWS: 730 ITAs Issued in Latest Express Entry Draw
Canada has recently granted 730 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the latest Express Entry draw, facilitated by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This draw, conducted through a general invitation, required candidates to achieve a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 541.
Gurmeet Sharma
Following the January 23 draw, which invited 1,040 candidates with a CRS score of 543, and the January 10 draw which welcomed 1,510 candidates with a CRS score of 546, the Express Entry system continues to shape the immigration landscape.
As the year progresses, it remains too early to predict the unfolding dynamics of Express Entry draws in 2024. In 2023, IRCC orchestrated 42 draws, issuing ITAs to over 110,000 candidates, aligning with the targeted immigration admissions for both 2023 and 2024.
In a significant development, changes to Post Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) were announced by IRCC on January 22. Effective September 1, alterations in eligibility criteria will impact international students, particularly those in programs at private colleges with curriculum licensing agreements with public colleges.
Furthermore, graduate-level students in programs shorter than eight months will now be eligible for a three-year PGWP, opening avenues for increased work experience opportunities in Canada.
Express Entry, overseeing applications from key economic immigration programs such as the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), continues to be a focal point. Candidates are evaluated using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which factors in elements like work experience, education, age, occupation, and language proficiency.
The introduction of category-based selection draws in May 2023 brought a strategic focus on in-demand occupations. Six categories, including those with strong French-language proficiency, healthcare, STEM professions, trades, transport, and agriculture, have been established.
The application process involves eligibility self-assessment, creating an Express Entry profile, obtaining a CRS score, awaiting an invitation to apply, and submitting a final application within 60 days of receiving an ITA to IRCC. The evolving landscape reflects Canada's commitment to a dynamic and inclusive immigration system.
