Highlights
1. IRCC held its sixth all-program Express Entry draws of 2024 on March 12.
2. This draw marks the 288th Express Entry draw since 2015.
3. Some 2,850 Express Entry profiles qualifying for FSWP, FSTP, CEC, and PNP received invitations to apply for Canada PR.
4. The qualifying Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) decreased to 525 points.
5. IRCC continues to hold category-based Express Entry targeting selected occupations.
Canada invited 2,850 candidates to apply for Canadian permanent residency (PR) in another general Express Entry draw.
The invited profile includes those qualifying under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) or with provincial nominations from any Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Further, all the invited candidates had a qualifying score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) above 525. It is nine points lower than the previous February 28 all-program draw.
It is also rare that IRCC considers new profiles from a cut-off date the same as that of the draw date, i.e. before March 12, 2024, at 15:56:42 UTC. This cut-off is used in the tie-breaking rule.
Canada Express Entry 2024 Outlook
The outlook for Canada Express Entry in 2024 is promising with more new opportunities for skilled immigrants. Here are some of the latest updates for Express Entry aspirants in 2024:
Immigration Levels:
1. The 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan will target 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024 and increase that number to 500,000 in the following years.
2. Express Entry is expected to remain the primary selection system for skilled workers, with a target of 110,700 admissions in 2024.
Category-Based Draws:
1. The category-based draws will continue in 2024, potentially with adjustments based on labor market needs. This could be relevant for individuals in high-demand professions.
2. IRCC recently concluded a new category-based selection under French language proficiency (2023-1) with a draw size of 2500 Express Entry candidates and CRS 336 on February 29.
New Language Program
1. IRCC now accepts the Pearson Test of English Core (PTE) for all Express Entry streams except the Student Direct Stream. This means more flexibility for candidates demonstrating their English proficiency.
Read our previous blog to learn more about your English proficiency tests for Canadian immigration.
The Best Way to Qualify for Canada PR
The Express Entry system operates on a points-based system, known as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns scores to applicants based on factors such as
1. Age
2. Education
3. Work Experience
4. Language proficiency (in English or French)
5. and Other additional factors.
The highest-scoring candidates are then invited to apply for permanent residence through regular draws from the Express Entry pool.
If an applicant receives an Invitation to Apply (ITA) based on their CRS score, they can submit a complete permanent residence application within a specified timeframe, typically 60 days.
To learn more about the opportunities for in-demand skills in Canada, we encourage you to contact our expert immigration counselors. You may also boost your chances of qualifying for immigration after consulting a licensed immigration consultant.
Claim your free consultation from a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) like CanApprove today!
