21-Nov-2024

By - AVF Consultant

This week, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted three new Express Entry draws, issuing a total of 1,933 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency. These draws targeted candidates from various Express Entry categories, including those with French-language proficiency, Canadian work experience, and provincial nominations.

Express Entry Draws This Week:

1. November 15, 2024 – Level 7 in French Draw
   • Invitations: 800
   • CRS Cut Off: 478
   • Tie-breaking rule: November 07, 2024, at 13:12:03 UTC
   • This draws targeted profiles with Level 7 proficiency in French and a CRS score of 478 or higher.
2. November 13, 2024 – Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Draw
   • Invitations: 400
   • CRS Cut Off: 547
   • Tie-breaking rule: April 10, 2024, at 03:58:05 UTC
   • This draw focused on candidates within the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), with a CRS cutoff of 547, an increase of 8 points compared to the previous CEC draw on October 22, 2024.
3. November 12, 2024 – Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Draw
   • Invitations: 733
   • CRS Cut Off: 812
   • Tie-breaking rule: March 02, 2024, at 01:58:34 UTC
   • The PNP draw invited candidates who had a provincial nomination and a CRS score of 812 or higher, with a significant jump of 21 points in the CRS cutoff compared to the previous PNP-only draw on October 21, 2024.

These draws demonstrate IRCC’s ongoing efforts to invite skilled candidates across various categories, with a particular focus on those with language skills in French, Canadian work experience, and provincial nominations.

CRS Score Distribution in the Pool (November 12, 2024)

Before diving into more details, let’s take a look at the CRS score distribution in the Express Entry pool as of November 12, 2024. The data helps us understand where the majority of candidates stand and the competitiveness of the CRS scores in the pool.

The largest group of candidates (64,425) fall within the 451-500 CRS score range, followed by a significant number of candidates (56,597) in the 401-450 range. As we saw in the recent draws, the CRS cutoff for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) categories tends to be higher, indicating a greater level of competition among applicants in these ranges.

Express Entry Rounds of Invitations in October 2024

October 2024 saw multiple Express Entry draws, each with its own focus. Here are the details of the draws that took place in October:

As we can see, October’s draws included a wide range of categories, including targeted draws for specific occupations, Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, and The draws in October covered a variety of categories, such as targeted draws for certain occupations, CEC candidates, and PNP candidates. The quantity of invitations sent in October differed, with the largest draw on October 23rd inviting 1,800 candidates.

The CRS cutoff varies as well, with the October 23 draw having a lower cutoff of 433, and the October 21 PNP draw showing a significantly higher cutoff of 791.

Canada’s Immigration Focus: “In-Canada Focus”

In 2025 and beyond, Canada’s immigration policy is anticipated to adopt a more pronounced "in-Canada focus." This strategy aims to facilitate the transition for temporary residents seeking permanent residency. The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program, part of the Express Entry system, is expected to be instrumental in this initiative, as it gives preference to individuals with Canadian work experience or educational backgrounds.

By concentrating on candidates already living in Canada, the immigration policy seeks to address significant labor shortages in essential sectors such as healthcare, technology, construction, and manufacturing. This approach also promotes the seamless integration of these individuals into Canadian society, allowing them to utilize their existing skills, work experience, and education effectively.

Conclusion: What’s Next for Express Entry?

The Express Entry draws for the week of November 2024 and throughout October demonstrate that Canada is actively inviting skilled workers and candidates from essential immigration streams. The emphasis remains on selecting individuals with high skill levels, particularly those possessing strong proficiency in French or relevant Canadian work experience. 

For those currently in the Express Entry pool or considering entry, it is vital to monitor the CRS score cutoffs and forthcoming draws. Recent draws have shown that CRS cutoffs vary based on the category and the number of invitations issued. Candidates with a competitive CRS score and profiles that align with the demands of Canada’s labor market are more likely to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency. 

Please stay informed for further updates, as the trends in CRS scores and Express Entry draws are expected to continue changing.