IRCC invites 920 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants in Express Entry draw

On July 3, 2024 the latest Express Entry draw was announced by the  Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This draw specifically targeted candidates within the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the invitation was  extended to 920 eligible individuals.  The selected candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 739 to receive an invitation.

The Key Highlights of the Draw –

•   ITA – 920
•   CRS score – 739 ( PNP)

This draw follows a series of program-specific draws conducted by IRCC over the past month. On June 19, 2024 there was another PNP-specific draw that saw 1,499 candidates invited with a minimum CRS score of 663. Additionally, a PNP-only draw on May 30, 2024, invited 2,985 Express Entry candidates, marking the first such draw since May 10, 2023. This was quickly followed by another draw on May 31, which invited 3,000 candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
The Program-specific draws focuses solely on individuals who applied through one of the Express Entry programs, such as the CEC, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). In the case of PNP-only draws, only candidates nominated using an Express Entry-aligned PNP stream who are also known as improved nomination, are eligible.

Category Based Express Entry Draws 

Prior to the last series of drawings, such program-specific selections have not occurred since the implementation of category-based selection draws in May 2023. Since January 2024, IRCC has actively worked to stabilize Canada's high population of temporary residents by providing more avenues to permanent status. This strategy includes offering possibilities for persons with employment or study permits, as well as visitor visas, to become permanent residents.
Temporary residents who have lived in Canada and want to apply for permanent residency commonly use the CEC, whereas PNP applicants frequently stay in Canada temporarily before becoming permanent citizens. These measures allow IRCC to reach its annual objective of "Federal High Skilled Workers" as defined in the Immigration Levels Plan while also regulating the number of temporary residents in the nation.

Summary of the Express Entry Draws 2024

The latest Express Entry draw is a testament to Canada's ongoing commitment to welcoming skilled immigrants through targeted and efficient immigration pathways. By focusing on specific programs and streams, IRCC aims to address labor market needs and enhance the integration of immigrants into Canadian society.