Breaking: 648 ITAs Issued in Canada’s Newest PNP-Only Express Entry Draw
IRCC issues 648 ITAs in the latest PNP-only Express Entry draw with a minimum CRS score of 791. Discover trends in Canada's immigration and Express Entry draws.
Gurmeet Sharma
Overview of Recent Draw
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted another Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-specific Express Entry draw, issuing 648 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates. In this round, the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 791. This marks the second PNP-only draw in October, following a previous draw on October 7, which issued 1,613 ITAs to candidates with a minimum score of 743.
Express Entry Draw Patterns
IRCC continues its trend of holding multiple Express Entry draws every two weeks, with at least one PNP-specific draw included. Since May 30, IRCC has issued 12,815 ITAs through PNP-only draws. This pattern reflects the department’s strategic efforts to prioritize candidates living and working in Canada, aiming to balance temporary and permanent residency numbers in line with Canada’s immigration targets.
Upcoming Immigration Levels Plan
The upcoming Immigration Levels Plan, set to be released by November 1, will outline targets for 2025 to 2027. Currently, IRCC has set a target of welcoming 110,770 permanent residents in 2024, but it remains unclear if the target has been met. Individuals receiving ITAs in the second half of the year are more likely to finalize their permanent residency in 2025, given the department’s six-month processing standard for Express Entry applications.
Understanding Express Entry
Express Entry is Canada’s flagship system for managing applications for three major economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
The system uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to evaluate candidates based on key factors such as age, work experience, education, language proficiency, and more. Candidates with the highest CRS scores are invited to apply for permanent residence. PNP-nominated candidates receive an additional 600 points, significantly boosting their chances of receiving an ITA.
2024 Express Entry Draw Summary
Below is a breakdown of recent Express Entry draws for 2024, providing insight into the types of draws, the number of ITAs issued, and the corresponding minimum CRS scores:
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 21 | Provincial Nominee Program | 648 | 791 |
| October 10 | French Language Proficiency | 1,000 | 444 |
| October 9 | Canadian Experience Class | 500 | 539 |
| October 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,613 | 743 |
| September 19 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 509 |
| September 13 | French Language Proficiency | 1,000 | 446 |
| September 9 | Provincial Nominee Program | 911 | 732 |
| August 27 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,300 | 507 |
| August 26 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,121 | 694 |
Conclusion
IRCC’s consistent focus on Express Entry draws, particularly those targeting PNP candidates, demonstrates its commitment to strengthening Canada’s labor market by inviting candidates who already have strong ties to the country. As we await the release of the Immigration Levels Plan, these draws will continue playing a key role in shaping Canada’s immigration landscape.
