Canada Issues Invitations in First Express Entry Draw of July | Canada Immigration News

In an exciting development, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued invitations to apply (ITAs) in the first Express Entry draw of July, continuing its efforts to attract skilled immigrants to the country.

This latest draw saw 920 ITAs issued exclusively through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), with candidates needing a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 739 to qualify. This marks another milestone in Canada's ambitious immigration program.

This draw follows a series of significant program-specific draws over the past month. On June 19, IRCC invited 1,499 candidates in another PNP-only draw, requiring a minimum CRS score of 663. Additionally, a PNP-only draw on May 30 invited 2,985 Express Entry candidates, making it the first such draw since May 10, 2023.

The following day, May 31, saw another draw inviting 3,000 candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), highlighting IRCC's commitment to selecting candidates with Canadian work experience.

Program-specific draws focus on candidates in the Express Entry pool who have applied through programs such as the CEC, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

PNP-only draws specifically target those who have received enhanced nominations through an Express Entry-aligned PNP stream, further emphasizing the importance of provincial collaboration in Canada's immigration strategy.

Since the introduction of category-based selection draws in May 2023, IRCC had paused program-specific draws, making this recent series of draws a notable shift in strategy.

This change is part of IRCC's broader efforts to stabilize the high number of temporary residents in Canada. By offering more pathways to permanent residency for temporary residents, including those on work or study permits or visitor visas, Canada aims to retain skilled individuals who have already contributed to the country.

Many temporary residents who apply for permanent residency do so through the CEC, benefiting from their Canadian work experience. Similarly, PNP candidates often include temporary residents.

This approach helps IRCC meet its annual target for "Federal High Skilled Workers" (Express Entry) as outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan, while also managing the number of temporary residents in the country.

Canada's immigration draws continue to be a beacon of opportunity for skilled individuals worldwide, reflecting the country's commitment to growth, diversity, and economic prosperity.