Canada’s Express Entry system has seen significant changes in the past two years, particularly with the introduction of category-based selection draws by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2023. This new policy allows IRCC to target candidates who align with Canada’s economic and demographic goals more effectively.
But have these changes impacted the way Express Entry invites candidates? Let’s break down the data for 2024 and compare it with the same period in 2023. While there’s an increase in Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued this year, a detailed analysis provides a clearer picture of the shifts in the system.
What is Category-Based Selection?
Category-based selection draws are a new tool within Canada’s Express Entry system. They enable IRCC to focus on specific human capital attributes—such as professional experience and language abilities—rather than relying solely on Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores. The current Express Entry categories are:
- Healthcare occupations;
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) occupations;
- Trade occupations;
- Transport occupations;
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations; and
- French language proficiency.
ITAs Issued in 2024 vs. 2023
As of the most recent draw on September 19th, 2024, IRCC has issued 84,874 ITAs through the Express Entry system. By the same date in 2023, 81,948 ITAs had been issued.
It’s important to note the federal allocation of landed immigrants for the Express Entry system has increased. In 2023, IRCC aimed to welcome 82,800 immigrants through the system. In 2024, this target has grown to 110,770, reflecting Canada’s increased demand for skilled workers.
Number of Express Entry Draws in 2024 vs. 2023
So far in 2024, IRCC has held 37 Express Entry draws across nine different categories and streams, with an average draw size of 2,294 ITAs. In comparison, by the same time in 2023, IRCC had conducted 28 draws across eight categories and streams, with an average draw size of 2,927 ITAs. Notably, July 2024 was a historic month for Express Entry, with IRCC holding nine draws—the most in a single month since Express Entry began in 2015.
Most Active Streams/Categories in 2024 vs. 2023
Here’s a comparison of the number of draws and ITAs issued for each category or stream up to September 20th, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023:
| Category/Stream | Number of Draws in 2024 | ITAs Issued in 2024 | Number of Draws by Sept 20, 2023 | ITAs Issued by Sept 20, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture and Agri-food Occupations | 0 | 0 | 1 | 150 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 6 | 24,800 | 0 | 0 |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3,300 |
| French Language Proficiency Category | 8 | 20,400 | 3 | 6,900 |
| Healthcare Occupations Category | 2 | 7,250 | 2 | 2,000 |
| General (CEC, FSWP, FSTP) | 9 | 14,445 | 0 | 0 |
| No Program Specified | 0 | 0 | 15 | 63,900 |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 8 | 10,554 | 4 | 2,848 |
| STEM Occupations Category | 1 | 4,500 | 1 | 500 |
| Trade Occupations Category | 1 | 1,800 | 1 | 1,500 |
| Transport Occupations Category | 1 | 975 | 1 | 1,000 |
Notably, there has been a sharp increase in CEC and PNP draws in 2024, especially after IRCC’s announcement to focus more on “domestic draws” for Express Entry candidates. By this point in 2023, no CEC draws had been conducted, and only four PNP draws had occurred. In contrast, 2024 has already seen eight PNP draws and six CEC draws.
Also noteworthy is the increased emphasis on the French language proficiency category. In 2024, there have been eight draws targeting French-speaking candidates, compared to just three by this time in 2023. This reflects IRCC’s broader strategy to increase the allocation of French-speaking immigrants outside of Quebec, aiming to grow from 6% in 2024 to 8% by 2026.
CRS Cut-Off Scores: A Comparative Analysis
The table below compares the highest and lowest CRS cut-off scores in 2023 and 2024 for categories that have had multiple draws in both years:
| Category/Stream | Highest CRS in 2024 | Lowest CRS in 2024 | Highest CRS by Sept 20, 2023 | Lowest CRS by Sept 20, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Language Proficiency Category | 446 | 336 | 439 | 375 |
| Healthcare Occupations Category | 445 | 422 | 476 | 463 |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 739 | 663 | 791 | 691 |
Get a Free Express Entry Assessment
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