The first Express Entry draw of the year has been issued by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), inviting 1,510 candidates to apply with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 546.
This general draw considers candidates from all Express Entry managed programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), with no specific targeting of occupations or human capital attributes.
In recent draws from December 18-21, a total of seven draws were held, marking the highest number of Express Entry draws in one month for all of 2023. There was a six-week pause until December 6 where no draws were held, although IRCC did not provide a reason for this pause.
The Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026 shows that Canada aims to admit 110,000 new permanent residents through Express Entry in 2024, an increase from the 82,880 candidates targeted in 2023. The Express Entry system is an application management system for various economic immigration programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Candidates with the highest CRS score are the most likely to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in an upcoming Express Entry draw, and the system has been updated to feature six specific category-based selection draws for certain attributes such as healthcare, STEM professions, trades, transport, agriculture and agri-food, and French-language proficiency.
Overall, Express Entry continues to be an important pathway for immigration to Canada, and candidates are encouraged to regularly check for updates on the latest draws and application procedures.
Still have some travel questions? Ask in our Travel WhatsApp Group.
