The new year marks a fresh start for Canada's Express Entry, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issuing 1,510 invitations in the first general draw of 2024. Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 546 to qualify. This general draw encompasses candidates from all Express Entry-managed programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
December witnessed a significant uptick in Express Entry activity, with seven draws - the most in any month of 2023. This flurry of activity came after a six-week hiatus, which saw no draws from October 26 until December 6. The reasons for this pause were not confirmed by IRCC.
The draws in December varied, including:
Looking ahead, the Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026 sets a target of 110,000 new permanent residents through Express Entry in 2024, a rise from the 82,880 target in 2023. While many candidates will be invited in 2024, some may only arrive in 2025, given IRCC's six-month processing standard for final decisions on applications.
Express Entry, an application management system, handles applications from the FSWP, CEC, and FSTP. It uses the CRS to evaluate candidates based on language skills, education, work experience, and other human capital factors. The highest-scoring candidates across all programs, including those in specific categories like healthcare, STEM, and trades, are most likely to receive ITAs.
In summary, Express Entry continues to play a pivotal role in shaping Canada's immigration landscape, with varied draws targeting diverse skill sets and professions.