Recently, IRCC held a French category-based draw under the Express Entry to invite potential candidates. The department sent invitations to apply (ITAs) to about 1400 Express Entry candidates. This was the second Express Entry draw of this week. Candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 410 to be eligible for the ITA. 

Prior to this draw, this week’s first draw occurred on April 23. IRCC sent around 2,095 invitations to candidates with a CRS score of 529. It was a general draw that considered candidates from all three Express Entry draws.

In addition to this week’s draws, two more Express Entry draws occurred this month on April 10 and 11. The April 10 draw was also a General draw with a CRS score requirement of 549- the highest score of the year. 

One more Express Entry draw took place this month on April 11. The draw was a STEM category draw for candidates skilled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics occupations. IRCC invited 4,500 candidates, with 491 as a minimum CRS requirement.

IRCC Held French Category-Based Draw for 1400 Candidates: The overview of other 2024 Express Entry Draw results.

Knowing the Canadian Express Entry System

The Canadian Express Entry system is a procedure for managing applications from economic immigration candidates  from the following three programs:

1. FSWP: the Federal Skilled Worker Program 

2. FSTP: the Federal Skilled Trades Program

3. CEC: the Canadian Experience Class 

Eligible Express Entry candidates for any of the above programs must submit their profiles to the IRCC official website. They are assigned scores based on diverse human capital factors such as age, language ability, education, work experience, and occupation. A final CRS score is then given to the candidates by adding all the factor scores.

Candidates with the highest CRS scores have a greater chance of obtaining an ITA for permanent residence.

With an ITA, a candidate can submit their final application to IRCC within 60 days. The department has a PR service standard of six months. 

Introduction of category-based selection under Express Entry

Under Express Entry, IRCC introduced the Category-based selection draws in May 2023. The goal was to target candidates skilled in in-demand human capital attributes like their occupation or their language ability.

The department selected six categories in 2023 for category-based selections after detailed consultations with IRCC partners and stakeholders. For 2024, IRCC recently confirmed that it will continue with the same categories for category-based Express Entry draws.

The targeted categories are:

• Healthcare Fields
• Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) Fields
• Trades Fields
• Transport Fields
• Agriculture and agri-food Fields
• Strong French proficiency

To be eligible for occupation-based categories, candidates need a minimum of six months of continuous full-time work experience in an eligible occupation within the past three years.

Moreover, candidates under the French language category must have completed a French language test. They must have a minimum score of 7 in four language abilities, including Speaking, listening, reading, and writing. This must be under the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens.

Express Entry is Canada’s popular immigration pathway, allowing interested candidates to move and settle in Canada easily and effectively.

Are you interested in immigrating to Canada but have concerns about the immigration process and pathways? Feel free to connect with our experienced immigration experts for help at NavaImmigration or send us an email at [email protected]