2985 Express Entry candidates received ITAs after a brief pause. IRCC sent invitations to Provincial Nominee Program candidates in a program-specific draw. The minimum score requirement under the Comprehensive Ranking System turned out to be 676. After introducing category-based selection draws, this draw has been the only program-specific draw to be conducted since June 2023.

These program-specific draws differ from the general draws as they don’t invite candidates from all programs. Furthermore, the program-specific draws consider candidates from specific programs under the Express Entry pathway who have applied for PR in Canada.

2985 Express Entry candidates received ITAs after a brief pause

The latest draw occurred after April 24, indicating a long pause of at least a month in 2024. However, IRCC has not revealed any specific reason behind this pause. Although the latest Access to Information Request claims all draws in 2024 will be conducted according to the scheduled date, the immigration department has not yet made this date official. The department further claimed that the draw size and frequency will depend on admission targets for this year and 2025. The processing potential will impact the frequency of draws.

Prior to this brief pause, four draws occurred in April. The first draw, which issued invitations to 1,280 candidates, occurred on April 10. The next day, the department sent invitations to 4,500 candidates in Category-based draws for STEM professions.

The rest of the two draws occurred on April 23 and 24. On April 23, 2024, IRCC sent 2,095 invitations to candidates in a general draw. Similarly, 1,400 candidates received ITAs in a French proficiency category-based draw on April 24.

Additional information through the Access to Information Request

The Access to Information Request claims that French proficiency will dominate the category-based selection draws in 2024. The department states that it is a result of a higher employment rate for bilingual candidates. It further states that French skills indicate that candidates have an increased CRS score. Therefore, it will lead to an improved chance of economic integration.  

STEM professions will witness the second-highest invitations, accounting for 25 percent and healthcare occupations at 15 percent. 5 percent or less than that will apply to the Transport, Trades, and Agricultural and Agri-Food categories.

The rest of the 21.5 percent of all invitations will be issued to candidates in general draws. There is no clue about program-specific draws.

Express Entry draw outcomes in 2024

Refer to the table below to get an overview of the Express Entry draws in 2024.

Express Entry Draws

The Express Entry system has a point-based approach and assigns scores depending on various human capital factors, such as work experience, occupation, language abilities, education, and age. Immigrating with someone accompanying them, such as their spouse or partner, might also impact their CRS score. It is crucial for candidates to get a higher score if they seek an ITA from IRCC.

Furthermore, candidates can also expect to be a part of category-based draws if they are working in the following occupations:

• Healthcare occupations
• STEM Professions
• Transport occupations
• Trade occupations, such as plumbers, carpenters and Contractors
• Stronger language skills – French proficiency category
• Agriculture and Agri-Food occupations

However, candidates must fulfill the essential eligibility criteria of these categories. These categories will remain intact in 2024, but they are likely to change in 2025.

If you want more information about Canada Express Entry, connect with our immigration experts at NavaImmigration. Our considerable experience in the immigration field can help you. You may write to us [email protected].