IRCC invites 1980 candidates in latest Express Entry draw

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has invited applicants to the third Express Entry draw of the month.

In a general draw, the department issued 1,980 invitations to apply (ITA).

Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 524.

Today’s draw follows two Express Entry drawings held on March 12 and 13. The March 12 draw was global, and ITAs were awarded to 2,850 applicants with a CRS of at least 525. Until today, it has been the year’s lowest general draw score.

This score indicated a nine-point decline from the previous general draw on February 28 and a 21-point drop from the first general draw in 2024 on January 10 (546). IRCC conducts a general draw to consider applications from all programs and categories.

The March 13 draw was a category-based selection process for Express Entry candidates in transportation occupations. Candidates have to have a CRS of at least 430 to be considered. This was the first such draw since December 20, 2023.

Since the implementation of category-based selection draws, IRCC has invited 2,645 applicants for transportation vocations.

What is express entry?

Express Entry is the application management system for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Candidates from all programs compete against one another in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The algorithm scores candidates based on human capital characteristics such as language proficiency, education, occupation, job experience, and age.

Those with the highest overall scores are more likely to get an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence status from IRCC.

When an applicant files their final application to IRCC, they should get a decision within six months (per the department’s declared service standard).