Canada invites 3,300 Canadian Experience Class candidates in latest express entry draw

In the latest round of Express Entry draws, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued invitations to 3,300 candidates to apply for permanent residency. This recent draw, the second of the week, specifically targeted individuals under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 507 or higher.

Just a day before, IRCC invited 1,121 candidates from the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) with a higher CRS cutoff of 694. This pattern of multiple draws in quick succession has become increasingly common, reflecting IRCC’s efforts to manage the flow of applications and address labor shortages within Canada.

Earlier this month, on August 15, the draw was focused on French-speaking candidates, inviting 2,000 individuals with a minimum CRS score of 394. The previous day, August 14, saw an invitation round for 3,200 CEC candidates, requiring a minimum score of 509. Additionally, on August 13, 763 candidates were invited through the PNP, needing a CRS score of 690.

This frequency of draws, particularly targeting CEC and PNP candidates, aligns with IRCC’s strategy to boost the number of domestic applicants. By doing so, the department aims to reduce the number of temporary residents and meet its target for permanent resident admissions as outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026. IRCC plans to welcome approximately 110,770 newcomers through Express Entry in 2024 and 117,500 in 2025. Those receiving invitations later in the year are likely to contribute to meeting the 2025 target, given that IRCC typically processes Express Entry applications within six months.

The draw results for 2024 so far show a clear trend in the number and types of invitations issued. For instance, in July, Canada invited 6,300 CEC candidates on the 17th with a minimum score of 515 and 964 PNP candidates on the 30th with a score of 686. Other notable draws include invitations for healthcare occupations and French language proficiency, reflecting Canada’s diverse immigration needs.

Express Entry is a system designed to manage applications for three major economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Candidates are ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which evaluates factors such as work experience, education, age, and language skills. High-scoring candidates are more likely to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

In May 2023, IRCC introduced category-based draws, targeting specific skills or language abilities, further tailoring the immigration process to meet Canada’s evolving needs.