IRCC Invites 1085 Express Entry Candidates In December’s Third Draw with a minimum CRS 727

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its first Express Entry draw of the week on December 16, issuing 1,085 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residency under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream. Candidates in this draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 727.

This draw is the third of December, following two others earlier in the month. On December 2, the IRCC issued 676 ITAs for PNP candidates, while December 3 saw 800 ITAs given to those with proficiency in French. The ongoing pattern of alternating between PNP, Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and French language proficiency draws reflects Canada's goal to attract skilled workers to meet labor market demands.

Last month, there were six Express Entry draws, with a total of 5,507 ITAs issued. This trend of alternating categories is expected to continue throughout December and beyond, as the IRCC looks to fulfill its 2025-27 Immigration Levels Plan. This new plan focuses on the "In-Canada" category, which is aimed at candidates from the CEC and other regional programs. In total, 82,980 permanent residence admissions are allocated to this category for 2025, making up over 40% of the planned admissions for that year.

Looking at the broader picture, the IRCC's Express Entry draws have issued a total of 5,507 ITAs for permanent residence in November and December. These draws are part of Canada's ongoing strategy to attract skilled immigrants, with varying CRS score requirements. For instance, candidates with French language skills have often seen lower CRS cut-offs compared to those in the general pool. This approach aims to meet Canada’s labor market needs while ensuring that skilled professionals are available across various sectors.

A summary of the Express Entry draws in 2024 shows the diversity in the type of candidates selected and the CRS scores required. For example, the November 20 draw targeted healthcare occupations, inviting 3,000 candidates with a minimum CRS of 463. Meanwhile, the October 9 draw saw 500 candidates with Canadian Experience Class backgrounds invited, requiring a CRS score of 539.

Express Entry is a system designed to manage applications for three federal economic immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). The system uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to assess candidates based on factors such as education, work experience, language proficiency, and age.

Candidates who are selected through Express Entry receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency, which is the first step in the immigration process. Enhanced provincial nominations, which add 600 CRS points to a candidate’s score, significantly improve their chances of being invited.

This year’s trends suggest a shift toward more focused draws, such as those for healthcare professionals and candidates with French language skills. These targeted draws are in line with Canada’s broader goal of addressing specific workforce needs. With ongoing changes to the immigration system and new focus areas, it’s clear that Express Entry will continue to evolve to better match Canada’s demographic and labor market goals.