Consecutive Express Entry Draw of Canada issues 3300 ITAs to Canadian Experience Class Candidates

The latest  Express Entry draw announced by the IRCC  has invited 3,300 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). This draw was exclusively meant for applicants under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The new draw was conducted on August 26, 2024 and it required candidates to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 507 to qualify.

The Key Highlights of the draw –

•    ITA – 3300
•    CRS Point Score - 507

This is the second Express Entry draw of the week and this is in line with the target of IRCC of conducting multiple draws to meet its immigration targets.  Just one day before on August 25 the IRCC  had invited 1,121 candidates in a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw. Candidates in that draw needed a minimum CRS score of 694 to receive an ITA.

What has been the recent pattern of the IRCC in the  Express Entry Draws?

The recent series of  Express Entry draws has a pattern of increased activity by IRCC. Just earlier this month, between August 13-15 there were a lot of draws that were  conducted  and each had a distinct selection criteria. The August 15 draw was category-based and it focuses on candidates with French-speaking proficiency. August 13 saw a PNP-specific draw that invited 763 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 690, while the August 14 draw targeted 3,200 CEC candidates with a minimum score of 509.

The recent surge in draws is seen particularly  in CEC and PNP categories. The  IRCC aims to reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada  and it has prioritized domestic candidates for permanent residency. This approach supports IRCC’s goal of meeting the ambitious targets set out in the Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026.

Summary of the Express Entry Draw 2024

What is the Immigration target for the IRCC in 2025?

There has been Canada immigration targets set for the coming years and IRCC intends to welcome 110,770 newcomers through Express Entry in 2024 and 117,500 in 2025.  Those candidates who will receive ITAs in the latter half of 2024  will contribute to the 2025 target and it takes  six months to process finalized Express Entry applications.
The recent focus on the domestic draws and selecting the CEC applicants highlights that the Canadian government is looking to transition temporary residents to permanent status and meet the labor market needs  while also keeping in mind the economic demands of the country.