IRCC has conducted the 15th Express Entry Draw of 2024.
Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 4,300 candidates to an all-program draw.
Candidates need a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 486.
This was the second draw this month after the June 8 draw. In that draw 4,800 candidates were invited in the all-program draw and it was also required that the candidates have a minimum CRS cut-off score of 486.
82 occupations now eligible for category-based selection
On 31 May, the IRCC announced that later in the summer it would begin holding draws for Express Entry candidates falling into six new categories. Categories are:
- Health care
- science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professions
- occupations such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors
- transportation
- agriculture and agri-food
- strong French speaking ability
In these new draws, Express Entry candidates who have the required work or language experience in selected occupations within these categories will receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
Health care businesses represent approximately half of the total businesses eligible for category-based selection.
Science, technology engineering and math (STEM) occupations also make up a large portion.
Immigration applicants who have work experience in any of the listed occupations must also be in the Express Entry pool to be eligible for the ITA.
A high CRS score is still relevant and those with the highest scores still have a higher chance of getting an ITA.
IRCC says the categories were chosen based on discussions with provinces, territories and other stakeholders. The IRCC will include the results of the draws and their success in its annual report to Parliament. The department says the categories can change from year to year.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an application management system that oversees Canada’s three most prominent economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Those who meet the eligibility criteria for these programs will be required to upload a profile with IRCC to get a score from the comprehensive ranking system. CRS evaluates factors such as work experience, language ability, education, occupation, age and other human capital factors. The highest scorers are most likely to be issued an ITA in the upcoming draw.
Once a candidate has received the ITA, they must submit their final application for permanent residence to the IRCC within 60 days. From here, an immigration officer will review the application and decide whether the candidate will become a permanent resident of Canada.