Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) kickstarted 2024’s Express Entry with a 1,510-strong invitation to apply (ITA) bonanza! This general draw, open to all Express Entry programs (FSWP, CEC, FSTP), sought candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 546.
More Draws, More Opportunities:
This marks a busy end to a historic December, which saw a record-breaking 7 Express Entry draws – the most in any single month of 2023! Notably, a six-week pause preceded this flurry, leaving reasons for the hiatus unconfirmed by IRCC.
Category-Based Draws Remain Strong:
Following the May 2023 introduction, category-based draws continue to offer targeted opportunities. December alone saw draws for trades (Dec 19, 425 CRS minimum), transport (Dec 20, 435 CRS minimum), agriculture & agri-food (Dec 21, 386 CRS minimum), and French language proficiency (Dec 7, 470 CRS minimum).
Looking Back at 2023:
IRCC surpassed its Express Entry target for 2023, issuing over 100,000 ITAs. In total, 19 general draws invited 76,700 candidates with CRS scores ranging from 481 to 561. Additionally, six French language proficiency draws yielded 8,700 ITAs, while category-based draws for healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, and agriculture & agri-food saw 26,770 ITAs issued.
What’s Ahead for 2024?
The Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026 projects 110,000 permanent residents welcomed through Express Entry in 2024, an increase from 2023’s target of 82,880. However, processing timelines (a six-month service standard for final decisions) suggest some 2024 invitations may translate to arrivals in 2025.
Express Entry in a Nutshell:
Express Entry manages applications for FSWP, CEC, and FSTP programs, employing the CRS to rank candidates based on human capital factors like language skills, education, work experience, and age. Category-based draws further refine selection by targeting specific attributes.
