Several candidates are eager to understand the status of the Express Entry pool in February 2024. The Express Entry system is set to continue even this year through its three chief economic programs. A candidate’s breakdown of the pool is vital in determining the CRS scores and draw sizes within Express Entry. Even though estimating the certainty of the two factors is challenging, new immigrants will be at an advantage by knowing the present state of the Express Entry pool.
The impact of the breakdown of the candidate’s Express Entry pool on CRS score and draw size
It is quite a task to demonstrate the impact of the exact breakdown of the Express Entry pool on the CRS scores and draw sizes. However, candidates can understand the general patterns, enabling new immigrants to understand the upcoming draws better.
The allocation of scores influencing the CRS score cut-offs
The score distribution within the Express Entry pool might directly affect the process of deciding the CRS score cut-offs. The underlying rationale is that when the score’s allocation shifts higher or lower, it further impacts the draw size. The score’s allocation entirely depends on the addition and subtraction of profiles, the number of people who receive invites, and the profile numbers that no longer qualify to be acknowledged for the draws.
For instance, if there is a vast group of individuals in the Express Entry pool from CEC, then it is possible that the average CRS scores would increase within the pool. The Comprehensive Ranking System assigns scores to candidates emphasizing the previous study or work experience compared to other factors.
Category-based draws might also affect the scores
IRCC introduced certain crucial updates within the Express Entry system through the development of immigration categories. This initiative helped in fulfilling the Canadian labor market and demographic requirements. These category-based draws enable candidates to receive ITAs if they possess specific work experience or language skills that Canada seeks to meet the labor gap. They would receive these invitations irrespective of their CRS scores.
IRCC recently reiterated its intention to continue the same categories in 2024, which were executed in 2023. These are as follows:
- Healthcare – Emphasizing candidates with professional work experience in the healthcare sector;
- STEM occupations;
- Trades – Candidates with skilled experience in skilled trades;
- Transport occupations – Emphasizing those work experience in occupations related to the transport;
- Agriculture and Agri-Food – Focusing on candidates possessing professional work experience in professions related to transport;
- French language skills – Emphasizing candidates with a CLB 7 score in all four skills of the French language. This is according to the NCLC scale of evaluating French skills.
Immigration targets will decide the draw sizes and limitations in 2024
Canada releases the immigration levels plan for the forthcoming year annually. This plan includes the Canadian immigrant numbers the country looks forward to welcoming over the coming three years. It will be inviting candidates from four immigration classes, including economic, family, refugee, and humanitarian.
However, the Express Entry system falls under the economic-class category, the leading group of immigrants arriving in Canada every year, along with other programs and the Provincial Nominee Program. Canada’s economic streams will invite nearly 281,135 immigrants this year. Out of this number, 110,770 immigrants arriving in the country will be under Express Entry.
As of February 28, 2024, IRCC has sent invitations to 16,910 ITAs via Express Entry in 2024.
The status of the Express Entry pool in February 2024
As of February 27, 2024, around 211,487 candidates were prevalent in the Express Entry pool. Meanwhile, the largest group of immigrants possessed a CRS score between 451 and 500. In addition, over 65 percent of candidates scored below this CRS range. This implies that the Express Entry pool demonstrates a varied range of CRS scores and candidates.
According to IRCC data, the table below demonstrates the scores within the pool:
| Score Ranges | Number of candidates |
|---|---|
| 0-300 | 5,406 |
| 301-350 | 29,305 |
| 351-400 | 56,178 |
| 401-410 | 10,439 |
| 411-420 | 10,407 |
| 421-430 | 9,110 |
| 431-440 | 10,474 |
| 441-450 | 10,265 |
| 451-460 | 11,192 |
| 461-470 | 13,373 |
| 471-480 | 17,137 |
| 481-490 | 10,095 |
| 491-500 | 7,574 |
| 501-600 | 9,567 |
| 601-1200 | 965 |
We are able to evaluate the percentile that each score would place on a candidate by taking the highest end of each score range. In addition, this will not ensure that a candidate will acquire an ITA. Nevertheless, it would provide insight into how a score compares in the present Express Entry pool.
| Score | Percentile Ranking |
|---|---|
| 300 | 2.56 |
| 350 | 16.41 |
| 400 | 42.98 |
| 410 | 47.91 |
| 420 | 52.83 |
| 430 | 57.14 |
| 440 | 62.09 |
| 450 | 66.95 |
| 460 | 72.24 |
| 470 | 78.56 |
| 480 | 86.67 |
| 490 | 91.44 |
| 500 | 95.02 |
| 600 | 99.54 |
| 1200 | 100.00 |
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]
