Express Entry Update: 2,500 ITAs for French Language Stars in Canada
Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has rolled out another round of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency, this time focusing on candidates proficient in French. This particular draw saw 2,500 ITAs issued to individuals with strong French language skills, each needing a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 336.
Gurmeet Sharma
This specific draw comes on the heels of a general draw on February 28, where 1,410 candidates were invited, each with a CRS score of at least 534. Unlike the general draw which considers candidates from all three Express Entry-managed programs, this draw specifically targeted French-speaking candidates.
February has been an active month for IRCC, with 13,610 ITAs issued across five draws, including today's. While two were general draws, the remaining three targeted specific categories: French language proficiency, healthcare, and agriculture and agri-food occupations.
IRCC maintains its stance on category-based selection for 2024 In May 2023, IRCC initiated category-based selection for Express Entry, introducing six new categories where candidates could showcase their qualifications:
- Healthcare occupations
- STEM professions
- Trades occupations (e.g., carpenters, plumbers)
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
- Proficiency in French
IRCC had indicated a potential review and adjustment of these categories, but as of February 13, it has been confirmed that no changes will be made in 2024. These categories were established after thorough consultations with various stakeholders, including provincial and territorial governments, settlement services, and the Canadian business community.
To be eligible for these category-based draws, candidates must be part of the Express Entry pool under one of the three managed programs.
