IRCC invites 1980 candidates in latest Express Entry draw

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

The department issued 1,980 invitations to apply (ITAs) in a general draw.

Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 524.

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Today’s draw follows two Express Entry draws  on March 12 and 13. The March 12 draw was general and ITAs were issued to 2,850 candidates with a minimum CRS of 525. It was the lowest general draw score of the year until today.

This score represented a drop of nine points from the last general draw on February 28 and a 21 point drop from the first general draw on 2024 on January 10 (546). IRCC considers candidates from all programs and categories in a general draw.

The March 13 draw was a category-based selection draw for Express Entry candidates in transport occupations. Candidates needed a minimum CRS of 430 to be considered. It was the first such draw since December 20, 2023.

Since the introduction of category-based selection draws, IRCC has invited 2,645 candidates in transport occupations.

Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024 DateDraw TypeNumber of ITAsMinimum CRS 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).

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