IRCC issued more ITAs to Francophone candidates than Quebec. Over the previous eight months until March this year, IRCC issued ITAs to 18,200 candidates for Canadian permanent residence. These were candidates who could fulfill all essential requirements of the French category. During the same period, between July 1, 2023, and March 1, 2024, Quebec issued provincial immigration invitations to 13,133 candidates using the Arrima draws under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program.
This simply indicates that the number of invitations issued via IRCC to candidates with French language proficiency was higher.
IRCC issued more ITAs to Francophone candidates than Quebec – Category-based Express Entry draws
Express Entry category-based draws occurred for the first time in June last year. These draws assist the federal government in welcoming more foreign skilled workers to Canada. The category-based selection will support IRCC in inviting immigration candidates with recent work experiences and skills in key sectors across Canada.
Last year, the immigration department emphasized the category-based selection would select candidates with the following qualification criteria:
- Recent work experience in any of the five sectors, including Healthcare, STEM professions, Trades, Transport and Agriculture, and Agri-Food;
- Solid French language proficiency
IRCC decided to use the same six categories for Express Entry category-based selection draws in 2024.
Eligibility criteria for French proficiency Express Entry draws
The federal government released a mandate to solidify French language skills in minority communities across Canada. Therefore, the immigration department selected French proficiency as a category for the new Express Entry draws. Candidates need to display French language test outcomes to qualify for the French language category. They must display a minimum NCLC score of 7 in all four language aspects: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
According to IRCC, information related to eligibility will be included in the instructions for each invitation round.
Reasons to seek Canadian PR via Express Entry’s French language proficiency category
Reduced CRS score requirements
The CRS score thresholds under the Comprehensive Ranking System for the French language category have displayed the three lowest scores since June 2023.
Here’s a breakdown of the five draws with the lowest scores:
- Draw date – February 29, 2024 (CRS score – 336; French language category)
- Draw of September 28, 2023 (CRS score – 354; Agriculture and Agri-Food)
- February 29, 2024 (CRS score – 365; French language proficiency)
- Draw date – July 12, 2023 (CRS score – 375; French language proficiency)
- Draw of December 21, 2023 – CRS score – 386; Agriculture and Agri-Food)
Notably, reduced CRS scores indicate that more candidates will qualify to receive an invitation.
Significant draw sizes
So far, IRCC’s most significant draw in terms of size was the French language category draw on February 1 this year. The draw issued 7,000 invitations. Since March 1, IRCC has sent 490 more invitations to the other Express Entry draws in 2024, which include a combination of general and category-based draws.
Why is it beneficial to exist in the Express Entry pool?
Seeking to immigrate to Canada using Express Entry has multiple benefits. For instance, candidates in the pool might be acknowledged for different Express Entry draws. These include Enhanced Provincial Nominee Programs, program-specific draws, and general draws.
Express Entry draws that are either general or program-specific vary greatly from the category-based selection draws. The two types of draws above focus on a candidate’s CRS score, not their work experience or skills.
In addition, Enhanced PNP draws take place among candidates who exist in the Express Entry pool and then obtain a provincial nomination for PR. Candidates who attain a provincial nomination when in the Express Entry pool are sure to get 600 additional points. These extra CRS points indicate that the candidate will definitely get an invitation to the forthcoming Express Entry draws via IRCC.
Do you have any general queries or concerns regarding Canadian immigration via Express Entry? Let our expert guides at Make Home Canada help you get all the answers. We are just a call away; stay connected at 1-800-979-0509 or simply email your concerns to [email protected].
