IRCC issues ITAs to Express Entry candidates in second draw this week

Source-: CIC News

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued invitations to candidates in the second Express Entry draw of the week.

The department issued 1,500 invitations to apply (ITAs) in a category-based selection draw for French language proficiency.

Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 388.

Yesterday’s draw was general (meaning candidates were considered from all Express Entry programs, regardless of their eligibility for category-based selection) and invited 1,980 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 524.

This represented a one-point decrease from the last general draw on March 12 in which 2,850 candidates with a minimum CRS of 525 received ITAs. 

There has been one other draw this month. On March 13 IRCC held a category-based selection draw for candidates in transport occupations. The department invited 945 candidates with a 430 minimum CRS score.

Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024

DateDraw TypeNumber of ITAsMinimum CRS
March 26French language proficiency1,500388
March 25General1,980524
March 13Transport occupations975430
March 12General2,850525
February 29French language proficiency2,500336
February 28General1,470534
February 16Agriculture and agri-food occupations150437
February 14Healthcare occupations3,500422
February 13General1,490535
February 1French language proficiency7,000365
January 31General730541
January 23General1,040543
January 10General1,510546

What is category-based selection?

Category-based selection draws were introduced in May 2023, as a means for IRCC to identify Express Entry candidates with the in-demand skills and attributes and issue ITAs.

The department created six categories that will remain in place throughout 2024. They are:

  • Healthcare occupations
  • Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
  • Trades occupations, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
  • Transport occupations
  • Agriculture and agri-food occupations
  • Strong French proficiency

The categories reflect many of Canada’s acute labour shortages as well as IRCC’s mandate to promote the French language outside of Quebec. French-speaking candidates have received the highest number of ITAs since the categories were introduced.

What is Express Entry

Express Entry is an application management system for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Candidates from all programs are ranked against each other within the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The system assigns points to candidates based on their human capital attributes such as language ability, education, occupation, work experience and age.

Those who obtain the highest overall scores are the most likely to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent resident status to IRCC.

Once a candidate submits their final application to IRCC, they should receive a final decision within six months (the department’s published service standard).