IRCC has extended invitations to apply (ITAs) in the latest Express Entry draw. 1613 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants invited in the latest Express Entry draw.

To be considered in this draw, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 743.

The latest Express Entry draw was held on September 19, 2024, inviting 4,000 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. Candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 509 to qualify, which was slightly higher than the previous CEC-only draw on August 27 (cutoff score: 507).

Since July, IRCC has conducted more CEC-specific draws, issuing 21,800 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to CEC candidates. This reflects IRCC’s aim to increase domestic draws and decrease the number of temporary residents in Canada. This strategy also helps IRCC achieve its annual permanent residency targets.

Today’s draw is the first one for October. In October 2023, IRCC held four draws, issuing a total of 9,173 ITAs.

Understanding Express Entry

One important method the Canadian government uses to choose talented immigrants for permanent residency is the Express Entry system. This approach assesses applicants based on a number of significant factors, such as age, work experience, education level, and fluency in either French or English.

In order to qualify for Express Entry, candidates must fulfill the prerequisites of one of the three programs it oversees: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, or Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Upon being accepted into one of these programs, candidates are ranked using the CRS, which gives them a score determined by the previously listed criteria.

Having a higher CRS score significantly improves the likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), which is a formal invitation from the Canadian government to apply for permanent residency.

In addition to the core factors, applicants can earn additional CRS points for various advantages such as:

  • Having a spouse or common-law partner,
  • Having a sibling who is already a resident or citizen of Canada,
  • Gaining Canadian work experience,
  • Completing education in Canada.

These extra points can further increase an applicant’s chances of securing an ITA, making their pathway to permanent residency smoother.

An Overview of Category-based selection Draw

In category-based selection draws, a new type of draw announced by IRCC in May 2023, CRS scores are often lower. These draws were put in place to enable the government choose Express Entry applicants with particular talents in order to solve important demographic or labor shortfalls. Moreover, the IRCC has determined six categories for these draws: trades, healthcare, agri-food and agriculture, transportation, scientific, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions, and French language proficiency.

Following lengthy stakeholder engagements, a thorough examination of the job market, and deliberation about the department’s objective of admitting 6% of all newcomers into French-speaking minority areas outside of Quebec, these categories were selected. Candidates must still be in the Express Entry pool, even though the CRS cut-off scores in these draws are typically lower than those in program-specific or general draws. Having a higher CRS score is still helpful.

2024’s Express Entry Draw Results

  • October 7: PNP Draw – 1,613 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 743
  • September 19: CEC – 4,000 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 509
  • September 13: French language proficiency – 1,000 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 446
  • September 9: PNP Draw – 911 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 732
  • August 27: CEC – 3,300 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 507
  • August 26: PNP Draw – 1,121 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 694
  • August 15: French language proficiency – 2,000 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 394
  • August 14: CEC – 3,200 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 509
  • August 13: PNP Draw – 763 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 690
  • July 31: CEC – 5,000 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 510
  • July 30: PNP Draw – 964 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 686
  • July 18: French language proficiency – 1,800 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 400
  • July 17: CEC – 6,300 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 515
  • July 16: PNP Draw – 1,391 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 670
  • July 8: French proficiency – 3,200 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 420
  • July 5: Healthcare occupations – 3,750 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 445
  • July 4: Trade occupations – 1,800 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 436
  • July 2: PNP Draw – 920 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 739
  • June 19: PNP Draw- 1,499 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 663
  • May 31: CEC – 3,000 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 522
  • May 30: PNP Draw – 2,985 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 676
  • April 24: French proficiency – 1,400 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 410
  • April 23: General – 2,095 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 529
  • April 11: STEM occupations – 4,500 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 491
  • April 10: General – 1,280 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 549
  • March 26: French language proficiency – 1,500 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 388
  • March 25: General – 1,980 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 524
  • March 13: Transport occupations – 975 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 430
  • March 12: General – 2,850 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 525
  • February 29: French language proficiency – 2,500 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 336
  • February 28: General – 1,470 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 534
  • February 16: Agriculture and agri-food occupations – 150 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 437
  • February 14: Healthcare occupations – 3,500 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 422
  • February 13: General – 1,490 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 535
  • February 1: French language proficiency – 7,000 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 365
  • January 31: General – 730 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 541
  • January 23: General – 1,040 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 543
  • January 10: General – 1,510 ITAs – Minimum CRS: 546