IRCC has invited 7,000 applicants in the latest draws. These were category-based draws for French language proficiency. Applicants required a minimum CRS score of 365. Well, this was the minimum CRS score of the year so far.
The current draw was the second of the week following the January 31 draw, wherein 730 applicants were invited in a general draw. They needed a minimum CRS of 541. This draw follows the most recent on January 23, wherein 1,040 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 543 were invited to the general draw. The draw before that occurred on January 10 was also general & invited over 1,510 applicants with a CRS score of 546.
It is still too early in the year to predict how Express Entry draws will unfold throughout 2024. In 2023, IRCC held 42 draws & issued ITAs to more than 110,000 applicants to help meet both 2023 & 2024 admission targets set out in the Immigration Levels Plan.
Summary Of Express Entry Draw Results In 2024
IRCC has invited 7,000 applicants in the latest draws. Here are the results for the same.
| Date | Draw Type | Number Of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
| February 1 | French Language Proficiency | 7,000 | 365 |
| January 31 | General | 730 | 541 |
| January 23 | General | 1,040 | 543 |
| January 10 | General | 1,510 | 546 |
Changes To Post Graduation Work Permits
As Canada issues 730 ITAs to applicants in the latest draws, many Express Entry applicants gain the work experience required for programs by working in Canada after graduation from a Canadian post-secondary institution. One of the most common work permits for new graduates is the Post Graduation Work Permit.
On January 22, IRCC declared specific changes to eligibility criteria for PGWPs. Effective September 1, international/ foreign students in a program at a private college, which is a part of a curriculum licensing agreement with a public college, will no longer be eligible for a PGWP.
Also, graduate-level students in a program shorter than eight months will now be eligible for a three-year PGWP. Presently, graduates aren’t eligible for a PGWP if their program is shorter than eight months. Moreover, the validity of the length of time of PGWP is tied to the length of the graduate’s academic program. For example, a one-year program would be valid for a one-year permit.
This implies that more graduate-level students will be able to get enough work experience in Canada to apply for a spot in the Express Entry application pool.
What Is Express Entry?
Express Entry is responsible for managing three economic immigration programs, i.e., Federal Skilled Trades Program, Federal Skilled Worker Program, & CEC. Applicants in these programs are given a score using a CRS. Scores granted are based on human capital factors like education, age, work experience, profession, language ability, etc. For instance, an applicant between the ages of 20-29 obtains 100 CRS points & less from age 30 & up.
In May 2023, IRCC declared that it was introducing category-based selection draws for Express Entry applicants who could demonstrate that they have relevant work experience in an in-demand profession. One is for applicants with strong French language proficiency & the remaining five categories are profession based for:
- Healthcare
- STEM Profession
- Trades
- Transport
- Agriculture/ Agri-Food Professions
Applying for Express Entry is a multi-step process. First, applicants must self-evaluate if they are eligible for an Express Entry program. All three Express Entry programs have different eligibility criteria.
The second step is creating a profile in the Express Entry pool & obtaining a CRS score. From here, applicants should wait to obtain an ITA in an Express Entry draw. Once a candidate obtains an ITA, they have over 60 days to gather their documents & submit their final application for PR to IRCC.