Canada invites immigration candidates in general Express Entry draw
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has encouraged additional people to apply for permanent residency (PR) using the Express Entry system.
The department sent 1,470 invitations to apply (ITAs) in a general draw to candidates from all Express Entry programs.
Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 534.
Today’s draw follows three others held between February 13th and 16th. On February 13th, IRCC performed its second general draw of the month, inviting 1,490 applicants with a CRS of at least 535. These were followed by two targeted draws for healthcare and agricultural and agri-food occupations, where candidates needed a CRS of at least 422 and 437, respectively.
Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024
Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
| February 28 | General | 1,470 | 534 |
| February 16 | Agriculture and agri-food occupations | 150 | 437 |
| February 14 | Healthcare occupations | 3,500 | 422 |
| February 13 | General | 1,490 | 535 |
| February 1 | French language proficiency | 7,000 | 365 |
| January 31 | General | 730 | 541 |
| January 23 | General | 1,040 | 543 |
| January 10 | General | 1,510 | 546 |
IRCC said category-based selection will not change in 2024.
In May 2023, the department implemented category-based invitation rounds for candidates who can demonstrate that they satisfied the criteria for one of six new Express Entry draw categories:
· Healthcare occupations
· Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
· Trades occupations, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
· Transport occupations
· Agriculture and agri-food occupations
· Strong French proficiency
At the time of the announcement, the department stated that it will examine these categories and make any adjustments that were required. As of February 13, the IRCC confirmed that these categories will not be modified in 2024.
The categories were determined through conversations with IRCC stakeholders, including provincial and territory governments, settlement services, and Canadian enterprises and employers.
Candidates with these characteristics must apply through one of the three Express Entry-managed programs in order to be evaluated.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is a mechanism for processing immigration applications. The system serves to assist speed up the application process for economic immigration applicants in three programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Express Entry uses the Comprehensive Ranking System to award scores based on human capital characteristics including occupation, education, language proficiency, job experience, and age. Candidates with the highest marks are more likely to receive an invitation to apply for PR status.
Candidates who get a nomination through the Provincial Nominee Program can earn an additional 600 CRS points. This essentially ensures that they will receive an ITA in the forthcoming draw.
Once an Express Entry applicant obtains an ITA, they have 60 days to submit their final application for Canadian PR to IRCC.
How many ITAs will be offered this year via Express Entry?
According to the IRCC’s Immigration Levels Plan, the agency intends to admit 110,770 new permanent residents through Express Entry in 2024. This is a huge rise over last year, when the government targeted 82,880 arrivals for Canadian PR using the same approach. In 2025 and 2026, this figure is expected to stabilize at 117,500.
Starting in 2025, Canada’s allotment for new permanent residents via the PNP will grow to 120,000, making provincial routes the primary option for welcoming new economic immigrants.
