Breaking News: IRCC Invites 2,985 Express Entry Candidates After Month-Long Pause
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has resumed issuing invitations to apply (ITAs) in the latest Express Entry draw, following a month-long pause.
Gurmeet Sharma
In this draw, the department issued 2,985 ITAs to candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), requiring a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 676 for consideration.
This draw marks the first program-specific Express Entry draw since the introduction of category-based selection draws in June 2023. Unlike general draws that invite candidates from all programs, program-specific draws focus on candidates who have applied through a particular permanent residency program.
Today's draw is the first since April 24, ending a month-long pause in the process. The IRCC has not provided an official reason for the pause. However, a recent Access to Information Request revealed that all draws this year will follow a predetermined schedule, which has not been made public. The draw size and frequency will be influenced by the 2024 and 2025 admissions targets, as well as processing capacity.
Express Entry Draw Trends in 2024
Before the pause, four draws were conducted in April. The first draw on April 10 invited 1,280 candidates in a general draw. The following day, 4,500 ITAs were issued in a category-based selection draw for STEM occupations. The final draws in April occurred on the 23rd and 24th, inviting 2,095 candidates in a general draw and 1,400 candidates in a French proficiency category-based draw, respectively.
According to the Access to Information Request, French proficiency is expected to dominate category-based selection draws in 2024 due to the high employment rate for bilingual candidates. These candidates generally have higher CRS scores, enhancing their chances of successful economic integration. STEM occupations will account for 25% of ITAs, healthcare occupations for 15%, and transport, trades, and agriculture and agri-food categories for 5% or less each. The remaining 21.5% of ITAs will be issued in general draws. Notably, no mention was made of program-specific draws.
Summary of Express Entry Draw Results in 2024
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 2,985 | 676 |
| April 24 | French proficiency | 1,400 | 410 |
| April 23 | General | 2,095 | 529 |
| April 11 | STEM occupations | 4,500 | 491 |
| April 10 | General | 1,280 | 549 |
| March 26 | French language proficiency | 1,500 | 388 |
| March 25 | General | 1,980 | 524 |
| March 13 | Transport occupations | 975 | 430 |
| March 12 | General | 2,850 | 525 |
| February 29 | French language proficiency | 2,500 | 336 |
| February 28 | General | 1,470 | 534 |
| February 16 | Agriculture and agri-food occupations | 150 | 437 |
| February 14 | Healthcare occupations | 3,500 | 422 |
| February 13 | General | 1,490 | 535 |
| February 1 | French language proficiency | 7,000 | 365 |
| January 31 | General | 730 | 541 |
| January 23 | General | 1,040 | 543 |
| January 10 | General | 1,510 | 546 |
