In Canada’s most recent Express Entry lottery, Invitations to Apply (ITAs) have been released by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
920 ITAs were distributed by the department in a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw.
To be considered, candidates had to receive a minimum of 739 points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Following three program-specific draws in the previous month, this one is being held today. In a recent draw limited to PNP candidates, the IRCC invited 1,499 candidates on June 19. A minimum CRS score of 663 was required.
2,985 Express Entry candidates were called to a PNP-only lottery on May 30. Since May 10, 2023, this was the first draw of its kind and the first draw related to a particular program. On May 31, 3,000 applicants from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) were invited to a second draw.
Only applicants who applied through an Express Entry program, such as the CEC, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), are taken into consideration for program-specific lotteries. Candidates are only taken into consideration in the event of a PNP-only draw if they have been effectively nominated using an upgraded nomination process that is linked with Express Entry.
This kind of draw had not happened until recently, since May 2023, when category-based selection draws were implemented. Nonetheless, the IRCC has been attempting to stabilize Canada’s high number of temporary residents since January of this year. Giving temporary residents—those in Canada on a visitation visa, work permit, or study permit—more choices to become permanent residents (PR) is one way to do this.
Many temporary residents who have applied for permanent residence, and are currently living in Canada or have experience living in Canada, apply for PR through the CEC. The same is also true of candidates in the PNP. This means IRCC can meet its yearly target for “Federal High Skilled Workers” (Express Entry) as outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan, while also reducing the number of temporary residents in Canada.
Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 920 | 739 |
| June 19 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,499 | 663 |
| May 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 522 |
| May 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 2,985 | 676 |
| April 24 | French proficiency | 1,400 | 410 |
| April 23 | General | 2,095 | 529 |
| April 11 | STEM occupations | 4,500 | 491 |
| April 10 | General | 1,280 | 549 |
| March 26 | French language proficiency | 1,500 | 388 |
| March 25 | General | 1,980 | 524 |
| March 13 | Transport occupations | 975 | 430 |
| March 12 | General | 2,850 | 525 |
| February 29 | French language proficiency | 2,500 | 336 |
| February 28 | General | 1,470 | 534 |
| February 16 | Agriculture and agri-food occupations | 150 | 437 |
| February 14 | Healthcare occupations | 3,500 | 422 |
| February 13 | General | 1,490 | 535 |
| February 1 | French language proficiency | 7,000 | 365 |
| January 31 | General | 730 | 541 |
| January 23 | General | 1,040 | 543 |
| January 10 | General | 1,510 | 546 |
Express Entry: What Is It?
In order to expedite the processing of applications and identify applicants with highly sought-after human capital traits, the IRCC launched the Express Entry application management system in 2015. It is in charge of applications from the CEC, FSTP, and FSWP.
When determining a candidate’s eligibility, Express Entry’s CRS takes into account human capital variables such age, job experience, occupation, language proficiency, and occupation. Candidates obtain their overall CRS score by adding the scores assigned to each element. An ITA in an upcoming draw is more likely to be awarded to candidates with better CRS scores.
Program-specific draws, category-based selection draws, and general draws are the many forms of Express Entry draws. All Express Entry applicants are taken into account for general drawings, independent of their program or occupation.
What is selection based on categories?
In 2023, the IRCC implemented category-based selection draws as a way to identify Express Entry applicants who possess desirable qualities for the Canadian workforce or to contribute to the growth of the country’s French-speaking population.
- The IRCC established six categories under which candidates may be awarded ITAs:
- Jobs in healthcare
- STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)
- tradespeople in positions like contractors, plumbers, and carpenters
- Jobs in transportation
- Jobs in agriculture and agri-food
- Fluency in French
When compared to general draws, these draws are more likely to have a lower than average CRS score and are not program-specific.