Express Entry News: Canada’s 1,613 ITAs for PNP & CEC Candidates
Get the latest on Canada’s Express Entry draws with updates on ITAs, CRS scores, PNP & CEC selections, and IRCC’s category-based focus for 2024 immigration goals.
Gurmeet Sharma
On October 7, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held an Express Entry draw focused exclusively on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. In this round, IRCC issued 1,613 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates who had secured a PNP nomination, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 743 required for consideration.
The previous draw on September 19 targeted Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates only, inviting 4,000 individuals with a minimum CRS score of 509. This draw reflects a slight CRS increase compared to the CEC-focused draw on August 27, which had a minimum score of 507.
Trends in Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Draws
Since July, CEC-specific draws have been more frequent, with 21,800 ITAs issued to these candidates. This aligns with IRCC’s strategy to increase the number of domestic candidates gaining permanent residency while helping to achieve the department’s annual residency targets.
October typically sees a high volume of draws, as evidenced by last year's four draws that invited 9,173 candidates in total. The recent CEC-focused draws reflect IRCC’s commitment to prioritizing candidates who are already contributing to Canada’s workforce and economy.
Understanding Express Entry
Launched in 2015, the Express Entry system is designed to manage applications for economic immigration. Candidates eligible under any of the three main programs—Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class—are assessed based on the CRS. This scoring system evaluates candidates across factors like work experience, age, language skills, education, and occupation.
High CRS scores are essential, as they increase the likelihood of receiving an ITA. Candidates who receive additional points through PNP nominations or category-specific draws may improve their chances of selection.
Category-Based Selection: A Targeted Approach
Introduced in May 2023, IRCC’s category-based selection draws address specific labor market needs. These draws prioritize candidates in fields such as Healthcare, STEM, Skilled Trades, Transport, Agriculture, and those with French language proficiency.
In category-based draws, the CRS cut-off is often lower than in general draws, reflecting the urgent demand for candidates in these fields. The categories were determined following comprehensive consultations and analysis of labor market conditions, with an emphasis on strengthening French-speaking communities outside Quebec.
Summary of 2024 Express Entry Draws
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| August 15 | French Language Proficiency | 2,000 | 394 |
| August 14 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,200 | 509 |
| August 13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 763 | 690 |
| July 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 5,000 | 510 |
| July 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 964 | 686 |
| July 18 | French Language Proficiency | 1,800 | 400 |
| July 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 6,300 | 515 |
| July 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,391 | 670 |
| July 8 | French Language Proficiency | 3,200 | 420 |
| July 5 | Healthcare Occupations | 3,750 | 445 |
| July 4 | Trade Occupations | 1,800 | 436 |
| July 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 920 | 739 |
| June 19 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,499 | 663 |
| May 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 522 |
| May 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 2,985 | 676 |
| April 24 | French Language 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 | 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 |
The table above provides an overview of Express Entry draws held so far in 2024. Each draw targets a distinct applicant pool, with varying minimum CRS scores based on program or category requirements.
With regular draws and targeted approaches, the Express Entry system remains a cornerstone of Canada’s immigration framework, providing pathways for candidates across diverse skill sets and fields. As the year progresses, IRCC is likely to continue these focused draws, enhancing the pathways to permanent residency for qualified individuals ready to contribute to Canada’s economy and society.
