Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued a significant number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency through its Express Entry System. The draw, conducted on July 17, 2024, specifically targeted candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Key Details of the Draw:
- Number of ITAs Issued: 6,300
- Program: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Minimum CRS Score: 515
- Tie-breaking Rule: February 3, 2024, at 9:01 AM EST
This draw marks a significant increase in the number of ITAs issued compared to the previous CEC draw on May 31, 2024, which offered 3,000 invitations with a minimum CRS of 522. The lower CRS requirement for the July 17th draw indicates a potential shift in IRCC’s selection strategy, prioritizing candidates with valuable Canadian work experience.
The minimum CRS score of 515 is the lowest seen in a non-category-based draw so far in 2024. This suggests a growing pool of eligible CEC candidates, possibly due to increased immigration of skilled workers seeking temporary work permits in recent years.
The high number of ITAs issued and the lower CRS requirement present a positive opportunity for skilled workers with Canadian experience seeking permanent residency. However, it’s important to remember that the CRS score is dynamic and can fluctuate depending on the number of candidates and their profiles in the pool.
With Canada aiming to surpass its ambitious immigration target of 485,000 permanent resident applications in 2024, we can expect continued activity in the Express Entry system. IRCC may conduct more frequent draws targeting specific programs or maintain a focus on attracting experienced workers to meet labor market demands.