Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has kicked off the new year by extending 1524 new invitations under the general category. The minimum required Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is 546. Candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) will be considered as a part of the general draw.
The first of the four recent draws that took place from December 18 -21 invited 1325 candidates with a minimum score of 524 through the general draw. The remaining three draws were category-based.
The table below is a Summary of Express Entry draws since June 2023.
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 19 | Trade occupations | 1,000 | 425 |
| Dec 18 | All-program | 1,325 | 542 |
| Dec 8 | STEM occupations | 5,900 | 481 |
| Dec 7 | French language proficiency | 1,000 | 470 |
| Dec 6 | All-program | 4,750 | 561 |
| Oct 26 | Healthcare occupations | 3,600 | 431 |
| Oct 25 | French language proficiency | 300 | 486 |
| Oct 24 | PNP-only | 1,548 | 776 |
| Oct 10 | All-program | 3,725 | 500 |
| Sept 28 | Agriculture and agri-food occupations | 600 | 354 |
| Sept 27 | French language proficiency | 500 | 472 |
| Sept 26 | All-program | 3,000 | 504 |
| Sept 20 | Transport occupations | 1,000 | 435 |
| Sept 19 | All-program | 3,200 | 531 |
| Aug 15 | All-program | 4,300 | 496 |
| Aug 3 | Trade occupations | 1,500 | 388 |
| Aug 2 | French language proficiency | 800 | 435 |
| Aug 1 | All-program | 2,000 | 517 |
| July 12 | French language proficiency | 3,800 | 375 |
| July 11 | All-program | 800 | 505 |
| July 7 | French language proficiency | 2,300 | 439 |
| July 6 | Healthcare occupations | 1,500 | 463 |
| July 5 | STEM occupations | 500 | 486 |
| July 4 | All-program | 700 | 511 |
| June 28 | Healthcare occupations | 500 | 476 |
| June 27 | All-program | 4,300 | 486 |
| June 8 | All-program | 4,800 | 486 |
What will happen in 2024?
The immigration level plan from 2024-2026 shows that Canada is planning to admit 110000 permanent residents through express entry in 2024. This surge from 82880 express entry candidates targetted by IRCC in 2023 clearly states that despite the economic and housing crisis; immigration still plays a clear role in the sustainable development of the Canadian macro-economic ecosystem.
Also, it doesn’t mean that all 110000 invited will make it to Canada within 2024 itself, some may arrive after 2025. Some will not make it to the arrival because of a variety of factors concerning their application.
Express entry
Express Entry is an immigrant application management system that directs the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. This type of draw was introduced in May 2023 and features six categories:
- Healthcare;
- STEM professions;
- Trades;
- Transport;
- Agriculture and agri-food; and
- French-language proficiency
Irrespective of the program or the type of draw, those who have the highest CRS score are the most likely to get an ITA in an upcoming Express Entry draw.
