IRCC issued 1470 ITAs in the recent Express Entry general draw to candidates of all programs. The minimum CRS score for candidates was 534. The general draw took place on February 28. This draw occurred after three draws between February 13 and 16. On February 13, IRCC conducted the second general Express Entry draw of the month, issuing 1,490 ITAs to candidates with a CRS score of 535. However, after this draw, two more draws occurred for specific categories, including healthcare, agriculture, and agri-food occupations.
The healthcare draw required a CRS score of 422, while the agriculture and agri-food draw required a score of 437.
IRCC issued 1470 ITAs in the recent Express Entry general draw – A recapitulation of Express Entry draws in 2024
| February 28 | General | 1,470 | 534 |
| February 16 | Agriculture and agri-food occupations | 150 | 437 |
| February 14 | Healthcare occupations | 3.500 | 422 |
|
February 13 |
General | 1,490 | 535 |
| 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 |
IRCC stands firm with the category-based selection in 2024
The immigration department introduced the concept of category-based selection under Express Entry in May 2023. The eligible candidates are those who can easily fulfill the eligibility requirements for any one of the following categories:
- Healthcare occupations;
- STEM occupations;
- Transport;
- Trades occupations – Plumbers, Contractors, and Carpenters;
- Stronger French language skills and;
- Agriculture and Agri-Food occupations
However, when the department launched the new categories, it announced it would review them for category-based selection draws. Furthermore, whether they will consider changing the categories will depend on their review. However, the latest report claims that on February 13, IRCC confirmed its intention to continue with the same categories for the Express Entry category-based draws.
IRCC chose these categories after several consultations with various stakeholders, including settlement services, Canadian businesses, employers, and provincial or territorial governments.
Candidates who qualify with these characteristics will get the opportunity to be a part of the Express Entry pool through one of three federal economic immigration programs.
Express Entry
Express Entry supervises and tackles immigration applications and ensures flawless and speedy application processing for its three federal programs. These include the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the FSTP, and the Canadian Experience Class.
This application system also ranks candidates through the Comprehensive Ranking System by providing them with scores. It gives these scores based on human capital characteristics: occupation, age, work experience, language abilities, and education. Those with greater scores have the most chances of receiving an ITA for Canadian PR status.
In addition, those receiving a provincial nomination under the Provincial Nominee Program also receive an extra 600 points in their CRS score. This is an assurance of receiving an ITA in a subsequent draw.
Once the candidate manages to acquire an invitation, they will get another 60 days for the final application submission to IRCC.
Upcoming Express Entry ITAs to be issued in 2024
IRCC’s updated immigration levels plan confirms that it plans to invite 110,770 new PRs through Express Entry this year. This will imply a considerable rise compared to 2023, as the government sought to welcome 82,880 new immigrants for PR in Canada via Express Entry. In 2025 and 2026, this number will only become stable at 117,500.
Beginning in 2025, the distribution of new permanent residents in Canada will rise to 120,000 through the PNP. Moreover, this number confirms that PNP will be the leading immigration pathway to receive new economic immigrants.
If you wish to know more about Canada Express Entry, connect with our immigration experts at MakeHomeCanada. Our considerable experience in the immigration field can help you. You may write to us [email protected]
