The latest immigration trends reflect that category-based draws may offer an advantage to Express Entry candidates. Express Entry candidates with eligibility for category-based selection draws have greater chances of receiving an ITA even if their CRS score is under 500. The Comprehensive Ranking System offers scores to candidates depending upon the human capital factors. IRCC assigns these CRS scores to candidates when they enter the Express Entry pool.

Additionally, CRS scores decide the cut-off scores for each Express Entry draw. These minimum CRS scores represent all the candidates who received an invitation for Canadian permanent residence during an Express Entry draw.

Moreover, these scores are crucial because candidates below the CRS cut-off score will not receive an ITA PR in Canada in that particular draw.

Category-based draws may offer advantage to Express Entry candidates

In the last few weeks. most outlets have hinted at several immigration candidates raising their worries regarding the higher CRS cut-off scores.

So far this year, there hasn’t been any general Express Entry draw with a lowest cut-off score lesser than 524.

According to the data of 2023, IRCC had 17 out of 25 non-category-based Express Entry draws that had CRS scores below 518. These include a combination of general and program-specific draws. In addition, six draws displayed a cut-off score between 500 and 517. Meanwhile, 11 draws displayed a cut-off score under 496.

An overview of CRS scores for Category-based draws in 2024

Until now, in 2024, IRCC has organized 8 Express Entry category-based selection draws. Meanwhile, it has conducted 9 general and specific program draws. Comparing the category draws and standard draws, the cut-off scores for category-based selection draws have been 33 points lower in each draw this year.

Here’s a breakdown of Express Entry’s 8 category-based draws in 2024:

• French language proficiency draw on February 1 – 365 as the minimum CRS score
• Healthcare draw on February 14 – 422 as the minimum CRS score
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Draw on February 16 – 437 as the minimum CRS score
• Another French category draw on February 29 – 336 as the minimum CRS score
• Transport draw on March 13 – 430 as the minimum CRS score
• French language category draw on March 26 – 338 as the minimum CRS score
• STEM occupation draw on April 11 – 491 as the minimum CRS score
• French language category draw on April 24 – 410 as the minimum CRS score

Express Entry candidates worried about reaching the CRS score threshold for IRCC’s regular draws may see merit in seeking an ITA via IRCC’s category-based Express Entry draws. These draws often feature a lower CRS cut-off requirement, offering eligible candidates a promising alternative for securing an invitation.

Eligibility for category-based draws

To gain eligibility for an ITA through the category-based draws, candidates must fulfill unique parameters based in their specific category. They will need to adhere to all the eligibility requirements according to the instructions given in each specific invitation rounds. Additionally, they will also need to fulfill some additional requirements depending on the specific category.

French language category

Candidates must fulfill the minimum score of 7 in all language skills, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening, based on the NCLC.  Interestingly, in April, IRCC even declared that nearly 30 percent of the ITAs sent under the category-based draws will account for the French language proficiency draws.

Occupational categories

In 2023 and 2024, IRCC decided to focus on candidates working in specific occupations. These include the following five sectors:

• Healthcare
• STEM Occupations
• Trades
• Transport
• Agriculture and Agri-Food

All these categories under the category-based selection demand the candidates to demonstrate the following:

• A minimum of six months of eligible work experience, and the experience must be continuous and full-time.
• It must be equivalent to part-time experience in the previous three years.
• This work experience must be either obtained in Canada or abroad.

While the eligible NOC codes differ depending on the occupational category, candidates must have acquired their qualifying work experience within a single occupation listed under one of the eligible NOCs within the respective category.

To whom will category-based draws offer the maximum advantage?

Keeping in mind an eligible candidate, a foreign national in need of a category-based selection draw will be the one with a CRS score below 500. This CRS score has been derived from the lowest cut-off score of a general draw in 2024. The minimum CRS score was 524 on March 25.

Immigration candidates possessing CRS scores around 500 and qualifying candidates who are unable to fulfill this standard will mostly need a category-based draw. The need for this draw is essentially to receive an ITA for Canadian PR if they fail to increase their CRS scores using other methods.

Discussing the case of non-eligible candidates

Language is a key factor and if used to its full potential, it can lead to 310 CRS points, when merged with additional factors. This includes the post-secondary education. In short, possessing language skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking beyond the minimum criteria for the three programs under Express Entry can enable a candidate to receive more CRS points.

For instance, the FSWP requires only a CLB 7; however, it is possible to achieve CLB 10. In such a case, each level attained beyond CLB 7 will lead to candidates with increased CRS points.

Additionally, ability in a second language will enable Express Entry candidates to achieve more CRS points. In short, besides the CRS points under the first language proficiency, the candidates will need to earn 6 additional CRS points in a second official language of Canada.

Apart from trying to enhance your CRS score, it is best to learn a second official Canadian language. This will lead to more benefits for newcomers in Canada. In short, they will be able to gain more employment options through employers seeking employees for open positions. A second language proficiency will lead the candidate to act more socially even in a new culture.

Education requirement

The education factor can help a candidate earn a maximum of 250 CRS points. However, the allocation of CRS points will mainly depend on where the candidate received their credentials, whether they were obtained inside or outside Canada.
Therefore, a candidate can enhance their score by completing the Educational Credential Assessment or pursuing higher education.
Note: IRCC demands that economic immigration candidates with education outside Canada obtain an ECA aligning with its highest educational credential outside Canada.

Work experience requirement

Candidates can enhance their CRS scores based on the applicant’s NOC level. Therefore, evaluating one’s present work experience is crucial. This is because it will verify whether one’s duties match the NOC level. In this case, IRCC might provide the candidate with additional points. Similarly, evaluating the time spent by a candidate on a specific job might enable them to receive more points. Moreover, IRCC offers increased points for full-time or equivalent part-time work experience, depending on the duration.
Therefore, more work experience might lead to more CRS points.

Modifying the chief applicant on an Express Entry profile

In a few instances, where an Express Entry candidate applies with an accompanying spouse or common-law partner, one must observe who gets the higher CRS score.

After reviewing this, if the principal applicant chosen earlier has a lower score than their spouse or common-law partner, then the spouse or partner must be the principal applicant.

Making this change will increase the profile’s overall CRS score, offering a greater chance to the applicant to receive an ITA. However, they must fulfill other essential criteria. In addition, a couple also have the option to submit their profiles separately for each spouse or partner.

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