Express Entry Invitations: July 2024 Recap
Express Entry Invitations: July 2024 Recap
July 2024 has been a remarkable month for Canada’s Express Entry system, featuring an unprecedented number of draws and invitations. The month’s activity stands out due to the strategic focus on various categories and the high volume of invitations issued, reflecting Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) proactive approach to addressing the nation’s immigration and labour market needs.
Here’s a quick recap of the month’s key highlights:
Highlights of July 2024 Draws
- July 31, 2024: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Draw
- Invitations Issued: 5,000
- CRS Cut-Off: 510
- Tie-Breaking Rule: June 30, 2024
This draw represents the largest CEC draw of the month and the ninth Express Entry draw of July, emphasizing IRCC’s commitment to candidates already contributing to Canada’s economy. The drop in the CRS cut-off to 510 from 515 in the previous CEC draw on July 17 demonstrates a slight easing in competition among CEC candidates.
- July 30, 2024: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Draw
- Invitations Issued: 964
- Minimum CRS Score Required: 686
- Tie-Breaking Rule: May 27, 2024, at 07:07:21 UTC
- July 18, 2024: French Language Proficiency Draw
- Invitations Issued: 1,800
- Minimum CRS Score Required: 400
- Tie-Breaking Rule: March 8, 2024
This was the second French language proficiency draw of the month. With a lower CRS threshold compared to earlier draws, it indicates an effort to attract more French-speaking candidates to meet Canada’s demographic and workforce needs.
- July 17, 2024: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Draw
- Invitations Issued: 6,300
- CRS Cut-Off: 515
This draw was notable for issuing the highest number of invitations for the CEC in 2024, reflecting a strong focus on skilled professionals with Canadian work experience. This draw marked the largest of the month and set a record for the year in terms of the number of invitations issued.
- July 16, 2024: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Draw
- Invitations Issued: 1,391
- CRS Cut-Off: 670
The PNP draw on July 16 increased in size compared to the previous PNP draw on July 2, highlighting a continued emphasis on provincial nominations. This draw specifically targeted candidates with higher CRS scores, aligning with provincial needs for skilled workers.
- July 8, 2024: French Language Proficiency Draw
- Invitations Issued: 3,200
- CRS Cut-Off: 420
This draw was significant as the first French language proficiency draw of 2024. It underscores the Canadian government’s commitment to attracting French-speaking immigrants to maintain Canada’s second official language, supported by substantial financial investments in Francophone immigration promotion.
- July 5, 2024: Healthcare Occupations Draw
- Invitations Issued: 3,750
- CRS Cut-Off: 445
Targeting healthcare professionals, this draw reflects Canada’s urgent need for skilled healthcare workers. It marked the second-highest number of invitations issued for healthcare occupations, demonstrating a strong focus on addressing healthcare labor shortages.
- July 4, 2024: Trade Occupations Draw
- Invitations Issued: 1,800
- CRS Cut-Off: 436
This draw, the first for trade occupations in 2024, emphasizes the importance of skilled trades professionals in Canada’s labor market. It highlights the ongoing need for trades skills and marks the third trades draw since the category-based selections were introduced.
- July 2, 2024: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Draw
- Invitations Issued: 920
- CRS Cut-Off: 739
This initial PNP draw of the month set the stage for increased invitations to provincial nominees, addressing specific provincial labor market needs.
Eligibility Requirements for Key Categories
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is tailored for skilled workers with Canadian work experience seeking permanent residency. To qualify for the CEC, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- At least one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience within the last three years, legally authorized under temporary resident status.
- Obtain the minimum established language requirements.
- Eligible work categories include NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3.
French Language Proficiency
- Language Requirements: Minimum score of 7 in all four language abilities (reading, writing, speaking, listening) on the Canadian Language Benchmark for French.
Healthcare Occupations
- Work Experience: At least six months of full-time employment (or part-time equivalent) in an eligible healthcare occupation within the past three years.
Trade Occupations
- Work Experience: Minimum of six months of full-time, continuous work experience (or part-time equivalent) in a single trade occupation within the past three years.
Summary of Express Entry Draw Results in July 2024
In July 2024, IRCC issued an impressive 25,125 Invitations to Apply (ITAs), marking a notable increase after a slower period in May and June. This surge reflects IRCC’s focused strategy to address Canada’s immigration needs through a balanced approach of program-specific and category-based draws. Highlights include 5,000 ITAs issued for French language proficiency across two rounds, 3,750 ITAs for healthcare professionals on July 5, and 1,800 ITAs for candidates in trade occupations on July 4. By month-end, IRCC had extended 11,300 ITAs to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates and 3,275 to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, many of whom are already temporary residents in Canada. The resumption of program-specific draws on May 30, after a year-long hiatus, underscores IRCC’s commitment to enhancing domestic immigration processes.
Understanding Express Entry and Category-Based Selection
What is Express Entry? Introduced in 2015, the Express Entry system is designed to manage applications for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC). It uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to evaluate candidates based on factors such as age, work experience, occupation, and language proficiency, assigning scores to determine eligibility for ITAs.
What is Category-Based Selection? Introduced in 2023, category-based selection draws target candidates with specific attributes needed in Canada’s workforce or those contributing to the French-speaking demographic. Categories include healthcare occupations, STEM professions, trades occupations, transport occupations, agriculture and agri-food occupations, and French-language proficiency.
These draws often feature lower CRS score requirements compared to general draws.
Conclusions
The July 2024 Express Entry draws demonstrate IRCC’s commitment to addressing Canada’s skilled labour needs through targeted draws and high ITA volumes. As IRCC adapts its immigration strategies, staying informed about draw trends and CRS requirements remains crucial for candidates seeking permanent residence in Canada.
If you are considering applying through Express Entry or need guidance on eligibility and application processes, contact us for a personalized consultation. Our team of experts will assess your profile, provide insights into the application process, and help you navigate the complexities of Express Entry to enhance your chances of success.
Contact us today to book your consultation and take the first step towards your new life in Canada.
The Team at Northern Connections Canada
