IRCC Issues More Express Entry Invitations In Early December Draw

Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Department (IRCC) has issued 676 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in its latest Express Entry draw, targeting candidates from the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). To qualify, applicants needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 705. This draw follows a busy November, during which over 5,500 ITAs were distributed across six draws for permanent residency (PR).

Recent trends in Express Entry show consistent draws for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and PNP candidates. These trends align with Canada’s newly introduced “In-Canada” focus category, emphasizing pathways for CEC candidates and regional programs. Additionally, there’s potential for including candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). This focus underscores the importance of domestic immigration streams, which are expected to account for over 82,000 PR admissions next year—more than 40% of the total planned intake.

French-speaking candidates outside Quebec are also seeing increased opportunities. As part of Canada’s Francophone immigration strategy, allocations for French-speaking candidates are set to rise to over 29,000 next year, with further increases planned through 2027. This aligns with Canada’s goal of strengthening its French-speaking communities.

So far this year, Express Entry draws have targeted diverse categories, including healthcare, skilled trades, and French language proficiency. The CRS cut-offs for these draws vary significantly based on the program or category, reflecting Canada’s effort to address specific labor market needs. For instance, recent healthcare occupation draws required CRS scores as low as 463, while PNP-focused draws saw thresholds surpassing 800.

Express Entry is Canada’s system for managing applications under three economic immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Additionally, PNP candidates aligned with Express Entry may receive enhanced nominations, which add 600 CRS points and significantly improve their chances of receiving an ITA.

Applicants are scored using the CRS, which evaluates factors such as age, education, work experience, language skills, and ties to Canada, like having a sibling in the country. Points can also be boosted by combining Canadian and international education and work experience or applying with a spouse.

In addition to general draws, IRCC has adopted category-based selections, targeting candidates with specific professional expertise or language skills that align with Canada’s labor and demographic priorities. These category-based draws typically have lower CRS cut-offs than general or program-specific draws, making them an attractive option for qualified candidates.

As IRCC continues to issue invitations, Express Entry remains a critical pathway for skilled workers aiming to settle in Canada, helping to address labor shortages and support economic growth.