IRCC sends out 911 invites to PNP candidates in Express Entry draw

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently conducted an Express Entry draw, issuing invitations to 911 candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This draw, which took place on September 9, marks the beginning of the month’s updates and follows a busy summer of immigration activity.

Candidates for this draw needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 732 to be eligible. The IRCC’s frequent updates are part of a broader strategy to manage immigration more effectively and provide opportunities for a diverse range of applicants.

The latest draw follows an active period over the summer, during which IRCC held 14 separate draws throughout July and August. July set a new record with nine draws, reflecting the increased pace and volume of invitations. The last draw before this one occurred on August 27, targeting candidates from the Canadian Experience Class program and inviting 3,330 individuals.

IRCC has adopted a pattern of holding multiple draws every other week, including at least one specifically for PNP candidates. This approach aligns with the department’s goal to offer more opportunities for those already in Canada, reducing the influx of temporary residents and giving current residents a better chance of becoming permanent residents.

Here is a summary of the Express Entry draw results for 2024 so far:

• September 9: PNP candidates, 911 invitations, CRS score of 732.
• August 27: Canadian Experience Class, 3,300 invitations, CRS score of 507.
• August 26: PNP candidates, 1,121 invitations, CRS score of 694.
• August 15: French language proficiency, 2,000 invitations, CRS score of 394.
• August 14: Canadian Experience Class, 3,200 invitations, CRS score of 509.

Express Entry is a system used by the IRCC to manage applications for economic immigration. Since its introduction in 2015, it has been designed to select candidates based on their skills and attributes. It oversees three main programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is central to Express Entry. It assigns points based on factors such as language skills, work experience, education, and age. Candidates with higher scores have a better chance of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

Candidates can also receive additional points through enhanced Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nominations. Those nominated by a province receive an extra 600 CRS points, significantly boosting their chances of getting an ITA.

In 2023, IRCC introduced category-based selection draws to target candidates with specific skills. These categories include healthcare occupations, STEM professions, trades, transport jobs, agriculture and agri-food sectors, and French-language proficiency. These draws help address labour market needs and demographic changes.

The IRCC reviews these categories annually to adapt to evolving priorities and needs. As the job market and population demands shift, these categories may change to better match the current landscape.