Summary of the latest Express Entry rounds

The rounds of invitations in the Express Entry System are an event in the Canadian immigration process, as they offer open doors to permanent residency, even without having been in this country before. 

‍

From August to November 2024, the rounds of invitations were multiple and diverse in terms of Express Entry categories and provincial nominee programs. Here is a summary of what happened in these last months of the year. Let's get started!

‍

Issuance of ITAs to permanent residents in August

In August, there were 10,384 new ITAs (Invitations to Apply), with the Express Entry system proving once again that it is the big door to entering Canada and settling here. 

‍

First draw of September 2024: PNP issued 911 ITAs for permanent residence

September debuted its first Express Entry draw on Monday, September 9, with the issuance of 911 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. This specific draw opened the big door for 911 candidates to apply for permanent residency in Canada. The minimum required Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 732 points, higher than the last three PNP draws and the other categories! Why, I will explain below!

‍

In Canada, the Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP) are administered by its provinces and territories and each has its own programs according to its specific economic and employment needs. So, when a candidate receives a provincial nomination, they get a significant amount of additional points on their Express Entry profile. 

‍

Second draw of October 2024: Express Entry exclusive for PNP

On October 21, 2024, IRCC launched a lottery inviting 648 candidates in an exclusive round of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). To be considered in this lottery, applicants had to have a minimum score of 791 on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This was slightly higher than the previous draw: 316.

‍

Every two weeks, the Canadian government conducts several draws to invite foreign candidates who want to settle in Canada. The types of rounds to invite candidates range from the French Proficiency category , the Canadian Experience Class, general draws and the Provincial Nominee Program, the latter of which is the exclusive type and at least one invitation is made per PNP every two weeks.

‍

Drawing 320 - October 2024: 400 ITA for Canadian Experience Class

More CRS scores, fewer ITAs. On October 22, 2024, IRCC conducted the 320th Express Entry draw and, this time, there were 400 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) directed to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, fewer than in previous months with up to 4000 ITAs issued in September. This draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 539 points, more than previous draws. 

‍

The Canadian government is guaranteeing permanent residency to foreign workers already living in the country and seeking to move from temporary to permanent status. By giving priority to its residents, IRCC is able to control migration according to the interests and needs of the region and those who have been contributing to the Canadian economy for years. In addition, there is a high demand and competition in the system, which has led to an increase in the minimum required score (CRS) to be invited to submit an application. Let's remember that Canada focuses on the best profiles to select them in each lottery and retain that qualified workforce.

‍

Why specific CEC and PNP draws?

The Canadian government has been increasing the number of lotteries nationwide to generate permanent residency opportunities for those already living and working in Canada as temporary residents. The reason? This is the government's way of helping the Immigration Department meet its goal of controlling the influx of new foreigners with permanent residency and giving priority to temporary residents who are contributing to the Canadian economy.

‍

Drawings by CEC and by PNP: projection 2025

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

The CEC is a promising path for those who already have work experience in Canada. This program takes into account skilled workers who gained work experience in the 3 years prior to application, i.e. who lived and worked in Canada with their temporary resident status and now want to become permanent residents. The federal government offers them a chance with the specific Express Entry draws based on Canada's Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027.

‍

The CEC opportunity exists, but of course you must be eligible and meet the basic requirements to apply. A foreign national who is a skilled worker will not be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class if:

1. You are a refugee claimant in Canada.
2. You are working without authorization.
3. You gained work experience without having temporary resident status in Canada. Take this into account!

‍

• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

With the PNP, you expand your chances of being invited to apply for and obtain permanent residency through a nomination by a province or territory. These nominations are excellent when it comes to adding points to your Express Entry profile. Remember that this Express Entry system is based on points and the higher the score, the more chances to be chosen in the specific drawings. Moving on!

‍

Drawing 321 for commercial occupations: 1800 ITAs issued

On October 23, 2024 IRCC issued 1800 ITAs for candidates with a minimum CRS score of 433. One of the lotteries the government eventually launches is for the trade occupations category, which was created as part of the Canadian government's efforts to attract skilled talent to the country and address labour market needs. To date, there have been two draws for trade occupations this year 2024, one in July and one in October. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada launches this type of round to fill vacancies in key sectors in the country whose workers activate and boost sales of products and services.

‍

Drawing 322 - November 12, 2024: IRCC issued 733 ITAs

High score, more opportunities. The minimum score for this lottery was 812 points, which is quite high compared to previous lotteries. This highlights the competitiveness and high standard required by IRCC to issue invitations for permanent residence. Candidates who received an ITA in this draw are within the economic migration targets for 2025, and will be considered in the Canadian Experience Program (CEC) or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). 

‍

Regarding the high score, it should be mentioned that the Canadian government is demanding greater competitiveness and this is measured, precisely, by the score. The particularity of this type of draw through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is that the candidates obtain a significant advantage, as they are added 600 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). 

‍

323rd Express Entry drawing by the CEC 

On November 13, 2024, the 323rd Express Entry draw was held, in which 400 candidates with Canadian work experience and a minimum required score of 547 were invited, slightly higher than the previous draw in which 400 ITAs were also issued, only the minimum score was 539.

‍

Express Entry Draw 324 - French proficiency category

On November 15, IRCC launched the 324th Express Entry lottery focused on French language proficiency. It issued 800 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to candidates with a minimum score of 478 CRS points. This was the first draw of the month in this category and the tenth so far this year, highlighting the value of French in the Canadian immigration process.

‍

Express Entry 325th Drawing by PNP

On November 18, IRCC launched its fourth draw of the month, this time, for the Provincial Nominee Program, with 174 ITAs issued and the CRS score of the lowest scoring candidate invited was 816. Invitations to apply for the Provincial Nominee Program may be issued through this round.

‍

Express Entry Drawing 326 - Canadian Experience Class

On November 19, 2024, IRCC launched the 326th draw for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream with 400 invitations issued 400, the CRS score of the candidate with the lowest invited score was 539. 

‍

Express Entry Drawing 327 - Health Occupations Category

On November 20, 2024, Canada launched a new Express Entry lottery, this time for the category: health occupations. The minimum score required was 463 and the number of Invitations to Apply (ITA) was 3000, slightly less than the previous round for the same category on July 5, 2024.

You can see the official link with the different raffles: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-rounds.html

‍

British Columbia NPP Candidate Nominations

On the other hand, on November 20, British Columbia (BC) conducted a category-based draw across the Skilled Worker and International Graduate streams, including BC's Express Entry option. In this draw, at least 16 invitations were made to candidates whose profiles and scores were aligned with BC's provincial industries and professions of interest. 

‍

Manitoba NPP Candidate Nominations

On November 8, 2024, the Manitoba Provincial Nomination Program (MPNP) held three draws in which it issued 274 ITAs to specific candidates. Here I share a summary of the draws:

‍

1. For Manitoba Skilled Workers, in the selection of specific occupations from unit group 60030 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021: restaurant and food service managers.

‍

• 41 letters of recommendation to apply (LAA) were issued.

‍

• A minimum score of 672 was required.

‍

2. International Education Stream: for these candidates:

‍

• A total of 188 letters of recommendation to apply (LAA) were issued.

‍

3. Qualified Overseas Workers: for these candidates:

‍

• Forty-five letters of recommendation to apply (LAA) were issued under a strategic recruitment initiative.

‍

• The minimum score required was 703.

‍

Thank you for reading this summary to the end! I hope it will be useful as an informative text on Canadian immigration dynamics and permanent residency options in the country. 

‍

If you would like an Immiland regulated consultant to do your immigration case to apply for permanent residency in Canada, you can schedule the nearest appointment here. Success and see you soon!

‍

With love,

‍

Immiland