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Highlights
1. Canada held its 287th Express Entry draw, since 2015, on February 29.
2. 2,500 registered foreign nationals with strong French-speaking abilities received ITAs for Canada PR.
3. The qualifying score dropped to 336 points from the previous French-category Express Entry draw.
4. Nearly 50,000 Express Entry ITAs for PR since June 28, 2023, under the new category-based draws.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its fourth category-based Express Entry in 2024. It invited 2,500 candidates with lower CRS 336 or above under the French language proficiency (2023-1) category to apply for Canadian permanent residency (PR).
February 29 marks the eighth Express Entry draw overall and the second in 2024 under the French language proficiency (2023-1).
It is possible that FSWP, CEC, or FSTP-qualified candidates received nominations here. However, no prior work experience is required for this French language proficiency (2023-1) category draw.
Additionally, invited candidates here secured a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score which is 29 points lower than the previous French language proficiency (2023-1) category-based draws.
Also, if more than one eligible candidate had the same CRS score, IRCC considered only those profiles submitted on or before January 18, 2024, at 09:15:46 UTC.
Who is Eligible for the French Language Proficiency (2023-1) Express Entry Category?
Individuals who are proficient in French can still improve their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through the Express Entry pool by demonstrating their language skills through:
1. Taking an approved French language proficiency test: Test d’Évaluation de français (TEF Canada) or Test de connaissance du français (TCF)
2. Obtaining a minimum score of 7 in all four language abilities on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) scale.
Such individuals usually hail from diverse French-speaking countries (France, Haiti, Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, and others) and are known as French-speaking newcomers in Canada. They naturally gravitate towards regions with strong French communities like Quebec, New Brunswick, and parts of Ontario.
Previously, French proficiency granted extra points during Express Entry profile registration. However, the recent introduction of the “French Language Proficiency (2023-1)” category has expedited invitations for exclusively French-speaking immigrants to settle beyond Quebec’s borders.
The remaining five categories of Express Entry are occupation-based for:
1. Healthcare occupations
2. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
3. Trades occupations, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
4. Transport occupations
5. Agriculture and agri-food occupations
The Scope of Qualifying for Express Entry Draws in 2024
In a move to address its skilled labor shortage, Canada has announced ambitious immigration targets for the next three years. They plan to welcome:
1. 110,700 permanent residents through the Express Entry system in 2024.
2. 117,500 immigrants through Express Entry in each of 2025 and 2026.
Thus, by optimizing your Express Entry profile based on the following factors, you can increase your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in Canada.
1. Age: Younger applicants generally receive more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.
2. Education: Higher levels of education can significantly boost your CRS score.
3. Language: Strong English and French language skills are essential.
4. Work Experience: Relevant work experience in a skilled occupation can increase your CRS points.
5. Provincial Nomination: Securing a nomination from a Canadian province grants you additional points.
6. Job Offer: A valid job offer from a Canadian employer significantly improves your score.
7. Spouse/Partner: Your spouse or common-law partner’s skills and qualifications can contribute to your overall CRS score.
8. Siblings in Canada: Having a Canadian sibling can give you a slight edge in the points system.
Interested healthcare professionals, STEM professionals, or those with strong French-speaking abilities can contact a licensed immigration consultant like CanApprove to boost their chances of qualifying for immigration.
