Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its first Express Entry draw of 2024. Read on for the results of Canada's latest Express Entry draw, which occurred on January 10, 2023.

In the federal government's first round of invitations issued in 2024, Canada's immigration department issued 1,510 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in an all-program draw for eligible candidates from all three Express Entry-managed programs. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score held by all ITA recipients in today's draw was 546.

Express Entry

Express Entry is Canada's application management system that the federal government uses for immigration applications from three economic-class permanent residence immigration programs - the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). 

Since June 2023, Canada has begun to conduct both "standard" and category-based draws for Express Entry. 

Standard Express Entry Draws

"Standard" Express Entry draws place value primarily on a candidate's CRS score, which IRCC uses to rank eligible candidates against one another. 

This type of Express Entry draw involves a process that includes five basic steps, which are outlined in order below. 

1. Candidates self-assess their eligibility for any of the three Express Entry-managed programs

2. Eligible candidates then create an online profile with IRCC, allowing them to formally enter the Express Entry candidate "pool"

3. Every candidate in the pool is then given a CRS score, which are numeric values assigned based on a variety of human capital factors

4. These scores then determine which candidates will receive an ITA during a given Express Entry draw

5. IRCC will issue ITAs during Express Entry draws to eligible candidates with CRS scores above the cut-off score determined for that round of invitations

Note: ITAs are the only way that Canadian immigration candidates can apply for Canadian permanent residence

Category-Based Express Entry Draws

Intended to help Canada attract more foreign nationals with particular work experience or proficiencies, category-based draws were designed and implemented to give IRCC a better method of helping address specific potent labour market challenges across the country.

IRCC has noted that although it is prioritizing candidates with certain work experience and proficiencies at this time, information which is detailed here, the department will also allow itself the freedom to conduct an annual review and alter the eligible categories if deemed appropriate.

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