Will CRS Go Down In 2024?

2023 was a landmark year for Canada immigration, filled with new policies, measures, & changes than seen in many years previously. However, a question arises – will CRS go down in 2024? Well, the common themes remain, with one of the most enduring being the significance of CRS, i.e., the Comprehensive Ranking System in the immigration journey of Express Entry applicants. In 2023, the Express Entry draws witnessed higher CRS scores than average, thus leaving many people wondering if the coming year will see the same or not!

What To Expect In 2024? 

Well, to offer an answer to the question, i.e., will CRS go down in 2024, it is difficult to predict how CRS scores will continue this year. There are numerous reasons for this, including the fact that the makeup of the Express Entry pool significantly determines CRS scores throughout the year. Particularly, as the spread of CRS scores changes through the year, this will impact the minimum CRS scores required for a draw & might further affect the draw size. 

However, another crucial factor that makes this prediction difficult is the introduction of category-based draws in 2023. These are targeted draws based on Express Entry categories, which reflect labor market & demographic needs in Canada. Specifically, these categories are: 

• Healthcare
• STEM Professions
• Trades
• Transport
• Agriculture/ Agri-Food 
• French Language Proficiency 

Since these categories reflect targeted groups that IRCC has identified as significant for immigration, applicants who fit into this category can often obtain ITAs for PR, irrespective of lower CRS scores. Though this is the case, most applicants will likely benefit from maximizing their CRS score before attempting to obtain an ITA via one of the category-based draws. 

The last key factor to consider is the inclusion of PNP applicants within the Express Entry draws. The applicants obtain provincial nominations via Express Entry-aligned PNP streams, which offer eligible applicants an extra 600 points, further skewing overall cut-off scores due to this boost. 

General/ All-Program Draws 

Will CRS go down in 2024? Well, the answer to this is quite unpredictable. However, all-program draws include FSTP, FSWP & CEC. Before the introduction of category-based draws in 2023, this was the standard format for Express Entry draws, with applicants being picked solely for their CRS score rankings. Throughout the year, 19 all-program draws delivered over 76,700 ITAs, with the highest CRS cut-off at 561 points & the lowest at 481 points. 

PNP Draws 

In 2023, there were five Provincial Nominee Program, which yielded over 4,396 ITAs to applicants. The lowest CRS score cut-off for this group was 691 & the highest was 791. 

Healthcare Professions 

Healthcare professions included applicants in the Express Entry pool with experience in healthcare-related professions, encompassing nurses, physicians, doctors, & other job titles. In 2023, there were three healthcare draws, thus delivering 5,600 ITAs. The highest recorded CRS score was 476, while the lowest was 431. 

STEM Professions

STEM Professions included applicants in the Express Entry pool who had experience in professions within these four connected fields, including mathematicians, civil engineers, software developers, web designers, etc. In 2023, there were two healthcare draws, wherein 6,400 ITAs were issued. 

Trade 

Trade professions included applicants who had experience in professions like carpenters, electricians, plumbers, etc. in 2023, there were two transport Express Entry draw, wherein 2,500 ITAs were issued. 

Transport 

Transport draws considered applicants with experience in professions like truck drivers, air traffic controllers, managers in transportation, etc. In 2023, two transport draws were held, which yielded 1,670 ITAs to applicants. 

Agriculture & Agri-Food Professions 

Agriculture & agri-food draws considered applicants with professional experience as butchers, farm supervisors, etc. Two draws were held under this category, wherein 1,000 ITAs were issued. 

French Language Proficiency 

The French language draws targeted applicants with French ability equivalent to level 7 in four abilities, i.e., reading, writing, speaking, & listening, according to NCLC, which is Canada’s French language grading system. Six French language draws were held, which yielded 8,700 ITAs to applicants with the lowest CRS score of 375 & highest of 486.