How Canada’s New Express Entry Draw Impacts Provincial Nominee Candidates
IRCC issues 676 ITAs in the first Express Entry draw of December, focusing on Provincial Nominee Program candidates. Learn about trends and future updates.
Gurmeet Sharma
The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made another step forward in Canada's immigration process, issuing invitations to apply (ITAs) in the first Express Entry draw of December. Here's a breakdown of the latest updates and trends.
Overview of the Latest Draw
On December 2, 2024, the IRCC issued 676 ITAs under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Candidates in this draw were required to meet a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 705. This selection continues the trend seen in previous months, where candidates from specific streams, such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and PNP, have received consistent invitations.
Trends in 2024 Express Entry Draws
Throughout November, the IRCC held six draws, issuing a total of 5,507 ITAs for permanent residence. This aligns with the government's strategic approach of regularly drawing from a range of immigration categories. This approach is expected to remain in place with the introduction of the new "In-Canada" focus category, which will target candidates from the CEC and regional programs. This category will potentially include those from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
Future Prospects for Francophone Candidates
A noteworthy development in Canada's immigration policy is the increased focus on candidates with strong French language skills. As part of the government's Francophone immigration strategy, the allocation for French-speaking candidates outside of Quebec will rise to 29,235 admissions in 2025. This figure will continue to grow in the coming years, offering more opportunities for French-speaking individuals to apply for permanent residency.
Summary of Express Entry Draws in 2024
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 676 | 705 |
| November 20 | Healthcare Occupations | 3,000 | 463 |
| November 19 | Canadian Experience Class | 400 | 539 |
| November 18 | Provincial Nominee Program | 174 | 816 |
| November 15 | French Language Proficiency | 800 | 478 |
| November 13 | Canadian Experience Class | 400 | 547 |
| November 12 | Provincial Nominee Program | 733 | 812 |
| October 23 | Trade Occupations | 1,800 | 433 |
| October 22 | Canadian Experience Class | 400 | 539 |
| 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 |
| August 15 | French Language Proficiency | 2,000 | 394 |
| August 14 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,200 | 509 |
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is Canada's online system for managing applications for three key federal economic immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). It also includes applicants from Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams.
Candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns scores based on factors like age, language proficiency, education, and work experience. Those with the highest CRS scores are typically invited to apply for permanent residence.
Additionally, provincial nominations add 600 CRS points, significantly improving a candidate's chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Category-based selections are a recent addition to Express Entry, allowing for targeted invitations based on specific professional skills or language abilities.
In summary, Canada's immigration system continues to evolve with a focus on attracting skilled workers, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, trade, and French language proficiency, with ongoing opportunities for candidates to secure permanent residency.
