According to a recent Access to Information Request (ATIP), Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will predominantly prioritize French language proficiency in category-based selection Express Entry draws in 2024.
Approximately 78.5% of all Invitations to Apply (ITAs) will be issued to candidates selected through category-based criteria, with the remaining 21.5% allocated to general draws.
The breakdown of ITAs by category is as follows:
| Round Type | Category Target |
| French proficiency | 30% |
| STEM occupations | 25% |
| Healthcare occupations | 15% |
| Trade occupations | 5% |
| Transport occupations | 3% |
| Agriculture and agri-food occupations | 0.5% |
A recent Access to Information Request (ATIP) revealed that Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is prioritizing French language proficiency in Express Entry draws for 2024. This decision was influenced by labor market demands and bilingualism requirements in Canada. The ATIP also highlighted the importance of French-speaking applicants in addressing job vacancies and enhancing economic outcomes.
IRCC has structured its Express Entry draws for 2024 to ensure consistency and predictability. Although the exact schedule and frequency of draws have not been fully disclosed, IRCC aims to maintain a regular pattern to facilitate planning for provinces, territories, and applicants.
While category-based draws have seen lower minimum CRS scores, general draws have maintained higher thresholds. This variation may affect the diversity of immigrants and their economic outcomes.
In terms of draw size, IRCC plans to invite candidates based on the immigration targets outlined in the current Immigration Levels Plan (2024-2026). However, the number of candidates invited may not directly align with these targets due to processing timelines. Express Entry applications typically have a processing standard of six months, meaning candidates invited later in the year may not arrive in Canada until the following year.
IRCC's strategy for Express Entry draws in 2024, highlights the significance of French proficiency, in recent months, general Express Entry draws have consistently set higher minimum scores, with none falling below 524. Conversely, certain category-based selection draws, like the French-language proficiency draw on February 29, have demanded significantly lower scores, such as 336.