Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently issued invitations to apply (ITAs) in the latest Express Entry draw. The department invited 730 candidates in a general draw, requiring a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 541.
This draw follows the most recent on January 23 in which 1,040 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 543 were invited in a general draw. The draw before that took place on January 10 and was also general, inviting 1,510 candidates with a CRS score of 546.
Despite the recent changes, it is still too early in the year to predict how Express Entry draws will unfold throughout 2024. In 2023, IRCC held 42 draws and issued ITAs to more than 110,000 candidates to help meet both the 2023 and 2024 admissions targets set out in the Immigration Levels Plan.
On January 22, IRCC announced changes to eligibility criteria for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs). Effective September 1, international students in a program at a private college that is part of curriculum licensing agreement with a public college will no longer be eligible for a PGWP. Additionally, graduate-level students in a program shorter than the requisite eight months will now be eligible for a three-year PGWP.
These changes mean that more graduate-level students will be able to get enough work experience in Canada to apply for a spot in the Express Entry application pool.
Express Entry is an application management system that oversees the applications from Canada’s most prominent economic immigration programs, including the Federal Skilled Workers Program, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades Program. Candidates in these programs are given a score using the Comprehensive Ranking System based on factors such as work experience, education, age, occupation, and language ability.
Applying for Express Entry is a multi-step process that involves self-evaluating eligibility for an Express Entry program, creating a profile in the Express Entry pool to obtain a CRS score, and waiting to receive an invitation to apply in an Express Entry draw. Once invited to apply, candidates have 60 days to gather their documents and submit their final application for permanent residence to IRCC.
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