1499 candidates receive ITAs in the recent Express Entry draw with a minimum CRS score of 663. This draw is Provincial Nominee Program specific draw.

Two unique draws took place on May 30 and 31, each tailored to specific programs. Since category-based selection draws began in May 2023, none had been exclusively program-specific until these recent ones.

The May 30 draw exclusively targeted candidates with provincial nominations through the PNP. In contrast, the May 31 draw focused solely on candidates within the Canadian Experience Class. Together, these draws issued a combined total of 5,985 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Express Entry candidates.

The May 31 draw marked the first CEC-specific draw since September 2021. Both the PNP and CEC draws reflect Canada’s recent strategy to increase domestic draws, aiming to reduce the number of temporary residents and transition more of them to permanent residency. Many CEC candidates already live and work in Canada, which supports this objective.

Highlights of 2024 Express Entry Draws 

  • June 19: PNP, 1,499 ITAs, CRS 663
  • May 31: CEC, 3,000 ITAs, CRS 522
  • May 30: PNP, 2,985 ITAs, CRS 676
  • April 24: French proficiency, 1,400 ITAs, CRS 410
  • April 23: General, 2,095 ITAs, CRS 529
  • April 11: STEM, 4,500 ITAs, CRS 491
  • April 10: General, 1,280 ITAs, CRS 549
  • March 26: French proficiency, 1,500 ITAs, CRS 388
  • March 25: General, 1,980 ITAs, CRS 524
  • March 13: Transport, 975 ITAs, CRS 430
  • March 12: General, 2,850 ITAs, CRS 525
  • February 29: French proficiency, 2,500 ITAs, CRS 336
  • February 28: General, 1,470 ITAs, CRS 534
  • February 16: Agriculture, 150 ITAs, CRS 437
  • February 14: Healthcare, 3,500 ITAs, CRS 422
  • February 13: General, 1,490 ITAs, CRS 535
  • February 1: French proficiency, 7,000 ITAs, CRS 365
  • January 31: General, 730 ITAs, CRS 541
  • January 23: General, 1,040 ITAs, CRS 543
  • January 10: General, 1,510 ITAs, CRS 546

An Introduction to Express Entry 

Applications for Canadian immigration are processed through the Express Entry system, which uses a point system to handle processing. It manages skilled workers’ applications for permanent residence in Canada. The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) are the three primary programs that are managed by this system.

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) assesses candidates based on a variety of human capital variables once they submit their profiles. These variables encompass age, education, workforce experience, qualifications, language ability, and having siblings living in Canada.

Within the Express Entry pool, the candidates are ranked according to these eligibility requirements. An Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian Permanent Residence is given to the top scorers. Candidates have 60 days from the date they acquire an ITA to file their PR application with the immigration authorities.

Express Entry Category-Specific Selection Draws 

IRCC launched the Category-Based Selection program in May 2023 with the goal of carefully choosing Express Entry candidates based on qualities that will greatly enhance Canada’s labor force and economy.

This program is divided into six categories, five of which are occupation-specific and one of which is specifically for candidates who speak French fluently. The categories of occupations are as follows:

  • Agriculture and agri-food occupations
  • Trades occupations, including roles like carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
  • Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
  • Healthcare occupations
  • Transport occupations

An Access to Information Request made the distribution of the current year’s category-based selection draws available. French-speaking applicants will constitute the largest percentage (30%), indicating a deliberate prioritization of bilingual candidates. The percentages for STEM and healthcare jobs will be 15% and 25%, respectively, indicating the need for qualified workers in these domains. The remaining categories, which together account for 5% or less of the draws, demonstrate a fair and equitable method of choosing applicants from a variety of industries that are vital to Canada’s economy.