IRCC had its first category-based draw on June 28, 2023. Let’s look at the yearly analysis of category-based Express Entry draws.
This new draw type was declared in May of last year as a pathway for Canada’s immigration department to attract skilled newcomers based on specific national labor gaps and demographic challenges.
Simply put, IRCC chose to implement this new type of Express Entry draw so that the nation would attract foreign nationals with specific in-demand work experience and proficiencies.
Note: Despite a focus on applicants with specific in-demand attributes, Comprehensive Ranking System scores remain a factor for category-based draws.
Specifically, in 2024, IRCC has chosen to prioritize applicants with the following work experience and language proficiencies through category-based draws:
- Healthcare professions
- STEN Professions
- Trades Professions
- Transport Professions
- Agriculture and Agri-Culture Profession
- French-Language Proficiency
Draw Types, Frequency, and CRS Scores
In addition to the yearly analysis of category-based Express Entry draws it is crucial to note that the first draw occurred almost a year ago. IRCC has declared over 25 category-based draws since then.
When separated by category, statistics reveal that CRS cut-off scores varied greatly.
Note: Cut-off scores show the lowest eligible Express Entry profile score among all applicants who obtain an Invitation to Apply during an Express Entry draw. These scores are vital because applicants without a CRS score above the determined cut-off will not be eligible for an ITA during that specific draw.
| Date Of Draw | Category | CRS Cut-Off Score | Number Of ITAs Issued |
| June 28, 2023 | Healthcare | 476 | 500 |
| July 5, 2023 | STEM | 486 | 500 |
| July 6, 2023 | Healthcare | 463 | 1,500 |
| July 7, 2023 | French | 439 | 2,300 |
| July 12, 2023 | French | 375 | 3,800 |
| August 2, 2023 | French | 435 | 800 |
| August 3, 2023 | Trades | 388 | 1,500 |
| September 20, 2023 | Transport | 435 | 1,000 |
| September 27, 2023 | French | 472 | 500 |
| September 28, 2023 | Agriculture and Agri-Food | 354 | 600 |
| October 25, 2023 | French | 486 | 300 |
| October 26, 2023 | Healthcare | 431 | 3,600 |
| December 7, 2023 | French | 470 | 1,000 |
| December 8, 2023 | STEM | 481 | 5,900 |
| December 19, 2023 | Trades | 425 | 1,000 |
| December 20, 2023 | Transport | 435 | 670 |
| December 21, 2023 | Agriculture and Agri-Food | 386 | 400 |
| February 1, 2024 | French | 365 | 7,000 |
| February 14, 2024 | Healthcare | 422 | 3,500 |
| February 16, 2024 | Agriculture and Agri-Food | 437 | 150 |
| February 29, 2024 | French | 336 | 2,500 |
| March 13, 2024 | Transport | 430 | 975 |
| March 26, 2024 | French | 338 | 1,500 |
| April 11, 2024 | STEM | 491 | 4,500 |
| April 24, 2024 | French | 410 | 1,400 |
Total ITAs Issued
While IRCC selected all six of these categories as priorities for the new draw type, the number of ITAs issued to applicants in each category also varied immensely in the last year.
- Healthcare: 9,100 ITAs
- STEM: 10,900 ITAs
- Trades: 2,500 ITAs
- Transport: 2,645 ITAs
- Agriculture and Agri-food: 1,150 ITAs
- French-Language Proficiency: 21,100 ITAs
What’s Ahead For The Remaining Year Of 2024?
IRCC has outlined its overall plan for ITA distribution between these six categories for 2024.
In addition, IRCC noted that separated by category, the following is the percentage of ITAs in each category this year.
- Healthcare:15%
- STEM: 25%
- Trades: 5%
- Transport: 3%
- Agriculture and Agri-Food: 0.5%
- French-Language Proficiency: 30%
Note: IRCC also indicated that 78.5% of all Express Entry ITAs will be issued to category-based draw applicants, while the remaining 21.5% will be issued in general draws throughout the year.
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