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NEWS

Canada to Reduce Immigration Targets by Nearly 100,000 

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Canada is poised for a substantial change in immigration policy as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government prepares to announce reduced immigration levels. After years of consecutive increases, the new plan will lower the intake of permanent residents by 90,000 in 2025, setting the target at 395,000—down from this year’s 485,000.  This shift mirrors the prediction made in INC News on July 9, 2024, in an analysis titled, “Will Canada reduce immigration targets in November 2024?” The updated targets reflect a significant reversal from previous government plans to reach an annual intake of 500,000 new immigrants by 2025.  Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Gradual Decline in Targets  The revised immigration goals continue to decrease, with projected targets of 380,000 for 2026 and 365,000 for 2027. These figures underscore a more cautious approach to immigration over the coming years, as the Trudeau administration adjusts to current economic and social challenges.  Sector-Specific Impact of the New Immigration Plan  According to early reports, the federal economic class will see the most substantial reductions under the new policy. Immigration Minister Marc Miller is expected to confirm these changes in an official announcement on October 24, 2024.  Cuts to Economic-Class Immigration  Economic-class immigration, which includes programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades (FST), and the Start-Up Visa program, will face a drastic 60% reduction in 2025, limiting intake to around 41,000. Though modest increases are expected in 2026 and 2027, numbers will remain significantly lower than previously anticipated.  Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)  Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) will also see a notable decrease, with intake halved to 55,000 in 2025, maintaining this reduced level through 2027. This reduction will considerably impact provincial immigration efforts and opportunities across Canada.  Family Reunification Programs  The new policy reduces family reunification visas by 20,000 in 2025, bringing the total down to 98,000 from its current 118,000 level. This change is expected to generate some backlash from family immigration advocates.  Refugee and Protected Persons Programs  Refugee and protected person programs will also see reductions, though these numbers may fluctuate based on annual refugee and asylum demands.  Temporary Resident Targets  For the first time, Canada’s immigration plan will set targets for temporary residents, with applications expected to drop by nearly 30,000 in 2025, setting the intake just over 300,000. This aligns with Immigration Minister Miller’s recent comments on aiming to reduce the temporary resident population from 6.5% to 5.2% over the next three years.  Immigration Category  2025 Target  2026 Target  2027 Target  Total Permanent Residents  395,000  380,000  365,000  What’s Behind the Change?  The Trudeau administration’s shift in immigration policy appears to reflect a mix of economic considerations and public sentiment. This pivot follows a tense meeting within the Liberal caucus, where members voiced concerns over the unpopularity of current immigration targets.  With a federal election set for October 2025, the government’s recalibrated immigration stance appears to be aimed at responding to mounting public pressure. Rising public concerns over population growth, coupled with criticism from both opposition parties and voters, have positioned immigration as a critical election issue.  A Balanced Strategy or a Departure from Canada’s Core Values?  Canada’s reduced immigration targets reflect a significant policy adjustment, as the Trudeau government navigates domestic economic concerns while addressing the evolving views of the Canadian public. The government hopes this revised strategy will alleviate pressures on housing, public services, and employment.  As the 2025 federal election approaches, immigration will be a defining topic in Canada’s political landscape. Whether this shift will be seen as a pragmatic response to public concerns or a departure from Canada’s multicultural vision will hinge on how well the government manages the policy’s broader economic and social implications.  Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

NEWS

“Canada Invites 1,800 Express Entry Candidates in Trade Occupations Category-Based Draw”

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Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently conducted an Express Entry draw, issuing 1,800 invitations to apply (ITAs) specifically for candidates in trade occupations. To be eligible for this draw, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 433. This marked the first category-based selection draw for trade occupations since July 4, when the IRCC also invited 1,800 candidates, albeit with a higher minimum score of 436. Additionally, this was the first draw not focused on French proficiency since July 5. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment The latest draw was the third Express Entry event held within a week. On October 22, 400 candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) were invited with a minimum CRS score of 539. The draw prior to that, on October 21, targeted candidates with Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nominations, inviting 648 individuals with a minimum score of 791. IRCC has recently established a pattern of conducting multiple Express Entry draws every two weeks, typically including those specific to PNP and CEC candidates. This approach demonstrates IRCC’s commitment to increasing the number of domestic draws for Express Entry applicants who are already in Canada as temporary residents. The strategy aims to help manage the number of temporary residents while also meeting the annual targets for new permanent residents outlined in Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan. The next Immigration Levels Plan is anticipated to be released by November 1, covering targets for 2025-2027. For 2024, Canada aims to welcome 110,770 new permanent residents. So far, there has been no confirmation regarding whether the IRCC has met this target. Candidates who receive an ITA in the latter half of the year are likely to be processed and admitted in 2025, in line with IRCC’s service standard of six months for processing Express Entry applications. What is Express Entry? Express Entry is an application management system that governs three major economic immigration programs in Canada: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). These programs utilize the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to identify candidates who can effectively address urgent labor shortages and contribute to the Canadian economy. The CRS evaluates various human capital factors, including age, occupation, education, language proficiency, and work experience. Each factor is scored, contributing to a candidate’s overall CRS score. Scores tend to be higher in PNP draws because candidates nominated by a province receive an additional 600 points automatically. Candidates may also gain points for having family members in Canada or for immigrating with a spouse or partner. Those with the highest CRS scores are most likely to receive an ITA in upcoming draws. Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024 Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS October 23 Trade occupations 1.800 433 October 22 Canadian Experience Class 400 539 October 21 Provincial Nominee Program 648 791 October 10 French language proficiency 1,000 444 October 9 Canadian Experience Class 500 539 October 7 Provincial Nominee Program 1,613 743 September 19 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 509 September 13 French language proficiency 1,000 446 September 9 Provincial Nominee Program 911 732 August 27 Canadian Experience Class 3,300 507 August 26 Provincial Nominee Program 1,121 694 August 15 French language proficiency 2,000 394 August 14 Canadian Experience Class 3,200 509 August 13 Provincial Nominee Program 763 690 July 31 Canadian Experience Class 5,000 510 July 30 Provincial Nominee Program 964 686 July 18 French language proficiency 1,800 400 July 17 Canadian Experience Class 6,300 515 July 16 Provincial Nominee Program 1,391 670 July 8 French proficiency 3,200 420 July 5 Healthcare occupations 3,750 445 July 4 Trade occupations 1,800 436 July 2 Provincial Nominee Program 920 739 June 19 Provincial Nominee Program 1,499 663 May 31 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 522 May 30 Provincial Nominee Program 2,985 676 April 24 French proficiency 1,400 410 April 23 General 2,095 529 April 11 STEM occupations 4,500 491 April 10 General 1,280 549 March 26 French language proficiency 1,500 388 March 25 General 1,980 524 March 13 Transport occupations 975 430 March 12 General 2,850 525 February 29 French language proficiency 2,500 336 February 28 General 1,470 534 February 16 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 150 437 February 14 Healthcare occupations 3,500 422 February 13 General 1,490 535 February 1 French language proficiency 7,000 365 January 31 General 730 541 January 23 General 1,040 543 January 10 General 1,510 546 Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

NEWS

IRCC Issues 400 Invitations to Apply to CEC Candidates in Latest Express Entry Draw 

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Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently conducted an Express Entry draw, issuing 400 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). To qualify for this draw, candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 539.  This marks the second Express Entry draw of the week, with the previous draw taking place on October 21, which invited 648 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. The CRS score for the PNP-specific draw was significantly higher, with a minimum requirement of 791.  Get a Free Express Entry Assessment In recent months, IRCC has established a pattern of conducting multiple Express Entry draws every second week. These draws often target specific groups, such as PNP and CEC candidates. This ongoing strategy reflects IRCC’s commitment to increasing domestic draws, prioritizing those already living and working in Canada as temporary residents. The goal is to reduce the number of temporary residents while meeting the country’s annual immigration targets as outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan.  The updated Immigration Levels Plan for 2025–2027 is expected to be released by November 1, 2024. According to the plan, Canada aimed to welcome 110,770 new permanent residents through Express Entry in 2024. As of now, IRCC has not confirmed whether this target has been met. Those who receive ITAs in the latter half of the year are likely to be admitted in 2025, as Express Entry applications typically take six months to process.  What is Express Entry?   Express Entry is Canada’s system for managing applications for three key economic immigration programs:  Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)  Canadian Experience Class (CEC)  Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)  These programs use the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to evaluate candidates based on various human capital factors, including age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and occupation. The CRS assigns a score to each factor, which is combined to form an overall score.  CRS scores tend to be higher in PNP draws because candidates nominated by a province receive an additional 600 points. Other factors that can influence a candidate’s score include having family in Canada or immigrating with a spouse or partner.  Candidates with the highest CRS scores are most likely to receive ITAs in future Express Entry draws.  Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024  Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS October 22 Canadian Experience Class 400 539 October 21 Provincial Nominee Program 648 791 October 10 French language proficiency 1,000 444 October 9 Canadian Experience Class 500 539 October 7 Provincial Nominee Program 1,613 743 September 19 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 509 September 13 French language proficiency 1,000 446 September 9 Provincial Nominee Program 911 732 August 27 Canadian Experience Class 3,300 507 August 26 Provincial Nominee Program 1,121 694 August 15 French language proficiency 2,000 394 August 14 Canadian Experience Class 3,200 509 August 13 Provincial Nominee Program 763 690 July 31 Canadian Experience Class 5,000 510 July 30 Provincial Nominee Program 964 686 July 18 French language proficiency 1,800 400 July 17 Canadian Experience Class 6,300 515 July 16 Provincial Nominee Program 1,391 670 July 8 French proficiency 3,200 420 July 5 Healthcare occupations 3,750 445 July 4 Trade occupations 1,800 436 July 2 Provincial Nominee Program 920 739 June 19 Provincial Nominee Program 1,499 663 May 31 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 522 May 30 Provincial Nominee Program 2,985 676 April 24 French proficiency 1,400 410 April 23 General 2,095 529 April 11 STEM occupations 4,500 491 April 10 General 1,280 549 March 26 French language proficiency 1,500 388 March 25 General 1,980 524 March 13 Transport occupations 975 430 March 12 General 2,850 525 February 29 French language proficiency 2,500 336 February 28 General 1,470 534 February 16 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 150 437 February 14 Healthcare occupations 3,500 422 February 13 General 1,490 535 February 1 French language proficiency 7,000 365 January 31 General 730 541 January 23 General 1,040 543 January 10 General 1,510 546 Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

NEWS

“Important Updates to Canada’s International Student Program for 2025 and Beyond”

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As of 2024, the Canadian government has been taking significant measures to strengthen the integrity of its international student program. In response to increasing concerns about the sustainability and transparency of the system, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented a temporary cap on study permits earlier this year. This cap aims to regulate foreign enrollment numbers, ensuring that international students have access to quality facilities during their studies.  On September 18, 2024, Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, announced additional changes that will greatly affect prospective international students planning to study in Canada.  Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Key Changes Affecting International Students in 2025 and Beyond  New Study Permit Cap for 2025-2026 with a 10% Reduction In 2025 and 2026, the Canadian government will impose a further cap on the number of study permits issued. In 2024, around 485,000 study permits were granted, but the new annual target will be 437,000, marking a 10% reduction compared to 2024. Importantly, this cap will now include both Master’s and PhD students. International students aspiring to pursue these degrees will be required to submit a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) with their study permit applications. This measure aims to align enrollment figures with the country’s capacity to support international students while upholding educational standards.  Changes to Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) There will be notable adjustments to PGWP eligibility. Currently, international students can qualify for a PGWP of up to three years. However, upcoming changes will alter the criteria for public college graduates. Only those graduates from public college programs whose studies are aligned with areas experiencing significant labor market demand will be eligible for the full three-year PGWP. Fortunately, the duration for university graduates will remain unchanged.  New Language Proficiency Requirements for PGWP To enhance employability and facilitate pathways to permanent residency, Canada will introduce mandatory language proficiency requirements for the PGWP program. Later this year, all PGWP applicants will need to demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in English or French. University graduates must achieve a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 7, while college graduates will need a CLB score of 5 to qualify for a post raduation work permit. These changes are designed to better equip international graduates for integration into the Canadian job market.  Revised Work Permit Rules for Spouses of Master’s Students A significant update relates to work permits for the spouses of international students. Under the new regulations, spouses of students pursuing a Master’s degree in Canada will only qualify for an open work permit if the student’s program lasts a minimum of 16 months.  These recent updates from the IRCC aim to refine the rules and eligibility for international students, ensuring they achieve academic success and are well-prepared for life in Canada after graduation.  For international recruiters, it’s essential to keep students informed about these changes to ensure they are adequately prepared for the 2025 intake and beyond. Let’s collaborate to help students secure brighter futures worldwide!  Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

NEWS

IRCC Issues 500 ITAs to Canadian Experience Class Candidates in Second Express Entry Draw of the Week 

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Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently conducted an Express Entry draw, issuing 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category.  In this draw, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 539 to be eligible for consideration.  Earlier in the week, IRCC held another draw, issuing 1,613 ITAs to Express Entry candidates with Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nominations. In that round, candidates were required to have a higher CRS score of at least 739.  Get a Free Express Entry Assessment Looking back, the most recent Express Entry draw before these occurred on September 19, when 4,000 ITAs were extended to CEC candidates with a minimum CRS score of 509. This was a slight increase from the previous CEC draw on August 27, where the cut-off was 507.  Over the summer, IRCC has been conducting more CEC-specific draws, issuing a total of 21,800 ITAs to Canadian Experience Class candidates since July. This approach aligns with IRCC’s strategy to increase “domestic” draws, aiming to reduce the number of temporary residents and meet the country’s annual permanent residency targets.  Today’s draw is the second held this month, while last October, IRCC conducted four draws, issuing a total of 9,173 invitations.  What is Express Entry?  Launched in 2015, Express Entry is a system designed by IRCC to manage applications for economic immigration. The primary goal of Express Entry is to select candidates who can fill critical labor shortages in Canada.  Three main programs are managed under Express Entry:  Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)  Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)  Canadian Experience Class (CEC)  The system uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to evaluate candidates based on various human capital factors such as work experience, age, language proficiency, education, and occupation. Additional points can also be awarded if a candidate is immigrating with a spouse or partner, has a sibling in Canada, or possesses Canadian work experience or education.  The higher a candidate’s CRS score, the better their chances of receiving an ITA in future Express Entry draws, depending on the specific draw type.  Category-Based Selection  In May 2023, IRCC introduced category-based selection draws, where CRS cut-off scores tend to be lower compared to other draw types. These targeted draws aim to address critical labor force gaps and demographic needs. The six key categories are:  Healthcare  Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions  Trades  Transport  Agriculture and agri-food  French language proficiency  These categories were chosen based on extensive consultations with stakeholders and an analysis of labor market needs. IRCC also aims to ensure that 6% of all newcomers are admitted to French-speaking minority communities outside Quebec.  Although CRS scores in category-based draws are generally lower, candidates must still have a profile in the Express Entry pool, and a higher score remains an advantage in securing an ITA. Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024   Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS October 7 Provincial Nominee Program 1,613 743 September 19 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 509 September 13 French language proficiency 1,000 446 September 9 Provincial Nominee Program 911 732 August 27 Canadian Experience Class 3,300 507 August 26 Provincial Nominee Program 1,121 694 August 15 French language proficiency 2,000 394 August 14 Canadian Experience Class 3,200 509 August 13 Provincial Nominee Program 763 690 July 31 Canadian Experience Class 5,000 510 July 30 Provincial Nominee Program 964 686 July 18 French language proficiency 1,800 400 July 17 Canadian Experience Class 6,300 515 July 16 Provincial Nominee Program 1,391 670 July 8 French proficiency 3,200 420 July 5 Healthcare occupations 3,750 445 July 4 Trade occupations 1,800 436 July 2 Provincial Nominee Program 920 739 June 19 Provincial Nominee Program 1,499 663 May 31 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 522 May 30 Provincial Nominee Program 2,985 676 April 24 French proficiency 1,400 410 April 23 General 2,095 529 April 11 STEM occupations 4,500 491 April 10 General 1,280 549 March 26 French language proficiency 1,500 388 March 25 General 1,980 524 March 13 Transport occupations 975 430 March 12 General 2,850 525 February 29 French language proficiency 2,500 336 February 28 General 1,470 534 February 16 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 150 437 February 14 Healthcare occupations 3,500 422 February 13 General 1,490 535 February 1 French language proficiency 7,000 365 January 31 General 730 541 January 23 General 1,040 543 January 10 General 1,510 546 Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

NEWS

PNP Candidates: 1,613 Invited in Latest Express Entry Draw 

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Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently conducted an Express Entry draw, inviting 1,613 candidates to apply for permanent residence. This specific draw focused solely on applicants who had received a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination. In order to be eligible, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 743.  The previous draw, held on September 19, targeted 4,000 candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). These candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 509, slightly higher than the earlier CEC draw on August 27, where the cut-off was 507.  Get a Free Express Entry Assessment CEC draws have become more frequent over the summer, with IRCC issuing a total of 21,800 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to CEC candidates since July. This aligns with the department’s efforts to increase “domestic” draws, thereby reducing the number of temporary residents in Canada. This approach also supports IRCC’s objective of meeting its permanent resident targets for the year.  The most recent draw is the first for October, while last year IRCC conducted four draws during the same month, inviting a total of 9,173 candidates.  What is Express Entry?  Express Entry, introduced in 2015, is an application management system designed to assist IRCC in selecting economic immigration candidates who can address urgent gaps in the Canadian labor market. It manages applications for three key immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).  Candidates applying through Express Entry are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This system assesses candidates based on various factors like work experience, age, language proficiency, education, and occupation. Additional points can be awarded for factors such as having a spouse or sibling in Canada, or for Canadian work or educational experience.  The higher a candidate’s CRS score, the better their chances of receiving an ITA in a future draw, though eligibility can vary depending on the type of draw.  Category-Based Selection  Since May 2023, IRCC has introduced category-based selection draws to address specific workforce and demographic needs. These draws often have lower CRS score thresholds than general or program-specific draws. However, candidates must still be in the Express Entry pool, and a high CRS score remains beneficial.  There are six categories for these draws:  Healthcare  Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)  Trades  Transport  Agriculture and agri-food  French language proficiency  The categories were chosen after extensive consultations with various stakeholders, labor market analysis, and in alignment with the department’s goal to welcome 6% of all newcomers into French-speaking minority communities outside of Quebec.  While the cut-off scores for these category-based draws tend to be lower, maintaining a competitive CRS score is still important for candidates looking to receive an ITA.  Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024 Date  Draw Type  Number of ITAs  Minimum CRS  October 7  Provincial Nominee Program  1,613  743  September 19  Canadian Experience Class  4,000  509  September 13  French language proficiency  1,000  446  September 9  Provincial Nominee Program  911  732  August 27  Canadian Experience Class  3,300  507  August 26  Provincial Nominee Program  1,121  694  August 15  French language proficiency  2,000  394  August 14  Canadian Experience Class  3,200  509  August 13  Provincial Nominee Program  763  690  July 31  Canadian Experience Class  5,000  510  July 30  Provincial Nominee Program  964  686  July 18  French language proficiency  1,800  400  July 17  Canadian Experience Class  6,300  515  July 16  Provincial Nominee Program  1,391  670  July 8  French proficiency  3,200  420  July 5  Healthcare occupations  3,750  445  July 4  Trade occupations  1,800  436  July 2  Provincial Nominee Program  920  739  June 19  Provincial Nominee Program  1,499  663  May 31  Canadian Experience Class  3,000  522  May 30  Provincial Nominee Program  2,985  676  April 24  French proficiency  1,400  410  April 23  General  2,095  529  April 11  STEM occupations  4,500  491  April 10  General  1,280  549  March 26  French language proficiency  1,500  388  March 25  General  1,980  524  March 13  Transport occupations  975  430  March 12  General  2,850  525  February 29  French language proficiency  2,500  336  February 28  General  1,470  534  February 16  Agriculture and agri-food occupations  150  437  February 14  Healthcare occupations  3,500  422  February 13  General  1,490  535  February 1  French language proficiency  7,000  365  January 31  General  730  541  January 23  General  1,040  543  January 10  General  1,510  546  Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

NEWS

“IRCC Issues 4,000 ITAs to CEC Candidates: Latest Express Entry Draw Updates”

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In the most recent Express Entry lottery, Invitations to Apply (ITAs) have been released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). In a lottery only for candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the government distributed 4,000 ITAs. To be considered, candidates had to receive a minimum of 509 points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Get a Free Express Entry Assessment The third draw of the month was held today, coming after two previous weeks in which 1,000 candidates were invited in a category-based selection draw for French-language proficiency, and 911 candidates were invited from the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Since 5,000 candidates received ITAs in a draw on July 31, this was the largest CEC draw. The CRS score for this draw is marginally higher than it was for the previous CEC draw. In the most recent one, which was held on August 27, applicants had to receive at least a 507. An overview of the 2024 Express Entry draw results Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS September 19 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 509 September 13 French language proficiency 1,000 446 September 9 Provincial Nominee Program 911 732 August 27 Canadian Experience Class 3,300 507 August 26 Provincial Nominee Program 1,121 694 August 15 French language proficiency 2,000 394 August 14 Canadian Experience Class 3,200 509 August 13 Provincial Nominee Program 763 690 July 31 Canadian Experience Class 5,000 510 July 30 Provincial Nominee Program 964 686 July 18 French language proficiency 1,800 400 July 17 Canadian Experience Class 6,300 515 July 16 Provincial Nominee Program 1,391 670 July 8 French proficiency 3,200 420 July 5 Healthcare occupations 3,750 445 July 4 Trade occupations 1,800 436 July 2 Provincial Nominee Program 920 739 June 19 Provincial Nominee Program 1,499 663 May 31 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 522 May 30 Provincial Nominee Program 2,985 676 April 24 French proficiency 1,400 410 April 23 General 2,095 529 April 11 STEM occupations 4,500 491 April 10 General 1,280 549 March 26 French language proficiency 1,500 388 March 25 General 1,980 524 March 13 Transport occupations 975 430 March 12 General 2,850 525 February 29 French language proficiency 2,500 336 February 28 General 1,470 534 February 16 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 150 437 February 14 Healthcare occupations 3,500 422 February 13 General 1,490 535 February 1 French language proficiency 7,000 365 January 31 General 730 541 January 23 General 1,040 543 January 10 General 1,510 546 Express Entry: What Is It? In 2015, the application management system Express Entry was introduced. It is in charge of three of the most well-known economic immigration initiatives in Canada: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Each of these programs assigns a point value to a number of in-demand human capital variables, including age, occupation, job experience, education, and language proficiency, using the Comprehensive Ranking System. A sibling living in Canada, immigration with a spouse or partner, or having strong English and French Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) scores are other factors that can provide points to candidates. Taken together, the scores for these factors add up to a candidate’s overall CRS score. Those who have the highest scores are the most likely to recieve an ITA in an upcoming Express Entry draw. Last year, IRCC also introduced category-based selection draws for Express Entry candidates with specific attributes such as their work experience or language ability. Six categories were chosen including: Healthcare Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions Trades Transport Agriculture and agri-food French language proficiency According to the IRCC, these categories were selected following stakeholder consultations and represent Canada’s need to meet demographic targets and gaps in high-demand areas of the labor force. For instance, the department chose to prioritize competency in French in order to aid reach its goal of having newcomers settle in French-minority regions outside of Quebec. A candidate has sixty days from the moment they receive their ITA to send the IRCC their final application. The department’s usual service time for processing an Express Entry application that has been finalized is six months. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

NEWS

IRCC issues 911 invitations to apply in Express Entry draw for PNP candidates

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In the most recent Express Entry lottery, Invitations to Apply (ITAs) have been released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Only candidates for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) were eligible to receive 911 ITAs from the department. To be considered, candidates had to receive a minimum of 732 points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Get a Free Express Entry Assessment The first drawing of the month is today, and it comes after a hectic summer. In 14 distinct Express Entry lotteries, the IRCC solicited candidates in July and August. More precisely, since the system’s debut in 2015, July has broken the record for the most drawings in a single month. Between July 2 and July 31, there were nine drawings. In the most recent Express Entry, which was held on August 27, 3,330 individuals received invites in a lottery that was limited to those enrolled in the Canadian Experience Class. IRCC has recently adopted a pattern of multiple draws every other week. They generally include at least one draw for PNP candidates. This is line with IRCC’s previously announced intention to hold more “domestic” draws to ensure that temporary residents in Canada have increased opportunity to become permanent residents and to reduce the volume of temporary residents entering Canada. Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024 Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS September 9 Provincial Nominee Program 911 732 August 27 Canadian Experience Class 3,300 507 August 26 Provincial Nominee Program 1,121 694 August 15 French language proficiency 2,000 394 August 14 Canadian Experience Class 3,200 509 August 13 Provincial Nominee Program 763 690 July 31 Canadian Experience Class 5,000 510 July 30 Provincial Nominee Program 964 686 July 18 French language proficiency 1,800 400 July 17 Canadian Experience Class 6,300 515 July 16 Provincial Nominee Program 1,391 670 July 8 French proficiency 3,200 420 July 5 Healthcare occupations 3,750 445 July 4 Trade occupations 1,800 436 July 2 Provincial Nominee Program 920 739 June 19 Provincial Nominee Program 1,499 663 May 31 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 522 May 30 Provincial Nominee Program 2,985 676 April 24 French proficiency 1,400 410 April 23 General 2,095 529 April 11 STEM occupations 4,500 491 April 10 General 1,280 549 March 26 French language proficiency 1,500 388 March 25 General 1,980 524 March 13 Transport occupations 975 430 March 12 General 2,850 525 February 29 French language proficiency 2,500 336 February 28 General 1,470 534 February 16 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 150 437 February 14 Healthcare occupations 3,500 422 February 13 General 1,490 535 February 1 French language proficiency 7,000 365 January 31 General 730 541 January 23 General 1,040 543 January 10 General 1,510 546 What is Express Entry? Express Entry is an application management system that was introduced by IRCC in 2015 to help the department select economic immigration candidates with in-demand human capital attributes. It oversees three economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. The Comprehensive Ranking System is the cornerstone of the system. It assigns a point score to applicants for several attributes such as their language ability, work experience, education, occupation and age. Taken together, these points make up a candidate’s overall score. Those with the highest scores are the most likely to recieve an ITA. Candidates in these programs can also apply for streams of the Provincial Nominee Program that are aligned with Express Entry, a process known as enhanced nomination. Express Entry candidates who are nominated through a PNP automatically recieve an additioanl 600 CRS points, making it extremely likely they will recieve an ITA in an upcoming Express Entry draw, depending on the type of draw. IRCC also introduced category-based selection draws in 2023 to allow the department to target the candidates with more specific in-demand attributes, mostly based around work experience. Candidates who recieve ITAs in one of these draws are not required to be in any specific Express Entry  program (although they must still be in the Express Entry application pool) and the minimum CRS required is generally lower than it would be for a program-specific or general draw. The six categories 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 French-language proficiency IRCC reviews these categories every year and says that as labour market priorities and demographic demands shift, the categories may change in coming years. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

NEWS

“Who’s In? Meet the Latest CEC Candidates Receiving ITAs!”

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An applicant’s ability to get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian Permanent Residency through Express Entry (EE) is contingent upon their CRS score. Candidates that meet the requirements of the CEC program can apply to join the Express Entry (EE) pool, where they will be compared to other candidates and assigned a score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The Canadian government periodically chooses the top scorers who meet the requirements for the draw and sends them an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in Canada. 3,300 CEC-eligible applicants were most recently chosen by the IRCC from the EE pool. These applicants met the lowest cut-off score in this draw category since the year’s beginning with a CRS score of 507 or above. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment We have created a few fictional profiles of candidates who would have been selected in the previous CEC draw. EXAMPLE 1: Bio: Sehan is a 26-year-old chemical engineer from Sri Lanka. He moved to Canada to do a three-year bachelor’s degree in engineering after which he did a diploma course. After graduating, he got a job at a Canadian company as a process engineer and has worked there for a little over two years. He has advanced English language skills (CLB10+ in all categories), which have earned him the maximum number of points in that category but does not speak French. Here’s a breakdown of his skills and qualifications – and the points allotted to them. Age 26 110 Education Two or more post-secondary credentials with at least one being three years 128 English language proficiency Advanced 136 Work Experience in Canada 2.5 years 53 Education (Language + Canadian Work Experience)   50 Canadian education   30   Core Human Capital for a Primary Applicant with no Spouse: (427 / 460) Skill Transferability Combinations: (50/100)    Additional Factors: (30/600)  Based on this profile, Sehan has 507 points, which is exactly equal to the last CEC cutoff score. That means that there are high chances he would have received an ITA following the latest draw. EXAMPLE 2: Bio: Helena is a 29-year-old marketing professional from England who already has two years of work experience there. She moved to Canada to pursue a master’s degree in marketing and then joined a firm in Canada where she worked for a year. Helena has excellent English skills (CLB10+ in all categories) but does not speak French. Here’s a breakdown of her skills and qualifications, and the points allotted to them.   Age 29 110 Education Master’s degree 135 English language proficiency Advanced 136 Work experience in Canada 1 year 40 Education (language + work experience)   50 Foreign work (language + Canadian work experience)   38 Canadian education   30   Core Human Capital for a Primary Applicant with no Spouse: (421/ 460) Skill Transferability Combinations: (88/100)    Additional Factors: (30/600)  Results: Based on this profile, Helena has 539 points, which is higher than the last CEC cutoff score. That means that she would have received an ITA following the latest draw. EXAMPLE 3: Bio: Samia is a 31-year-old architect with a year of experience in an Egyptian company with a global presence. After receiving a valid job offer from Canada, she arrived on a work permit and has worked in the country for a year. She has arranged employment with an LMIA. Samia has good English skills (CLB9 in all categories) but doesn’t speak French. Although she has two degrees, she has never studied in Canada.   Age 31 99 Education Two or more post secondary credentials with at least one being 3 years 128 English language proficiency Initial advanced 124 Work experience in Canada 1 year 40 Education (language + Canadian work experience)   50 Foreign work (language + Canadian work experience   38 Qualifying Canadian job offer   50   Core Human Capital for a Primary Applicant with no Spouse: (391/ 460) Skill Transferability Combinations: (88/100)  Additional Factors: (50/600)    Results: Based on this profile, Samia has 529 points which is higher than the last CEC cutoff score. That means that she would have received an ITA following the latest draw. EXAMPLE 4: Bio: Sami is a 33-year-old from Algeria who moved to Canada to become an electrician. He enrolled in a trade school and completed an apprenticeship program. After finishing this, he worked for a year as an electrician. He speaks good English (CLB9 in all categories) skills and is also fluent in French (CLB8 in all categories).   Age 33 88 Education Three-year post-secondary credential 128 English language proficiency Initial advanced 124 French language proficiency High intermediate 12 Work experience in Canada 1 year 40 Education (language + Canadian work experience)   50 Trade certification   50 Canadian education   30 Proficient in French   50   Core Human Capital for a Primary Applicant with no Spouse: (392 / 460) Skill Transferability Combinations: (100/100)  Additional Factors: (80/100)  Results: Sami received 572 points, which is well-above the current cut-offs in the CEC category.   Where do I rank in the Express Entry pool? IRCC has a comprehensive and up-to-date record of all the profiles in the Express Entry pool which can give candidates an idea of the overall state of the EE pool and how they rank within it. This list is constantly changing as new profiles are submitted and older ones expire. As of August 27, there are 205,137 candidates in the pool. According to this draw, most candidates seem to be in the 450-500 points range, with that bracket having 61,133 candidates. With current cut-offs in the CEC draws being higher than 500, boosting points by improving language abilities, getting an eligible job offer or exploring PNP options can help a candidate get an ITA. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

NEWS

“Canada Issues 3,300 ITAs to Canadian Experience Class Candidates in Latest Express Entry Draw!”

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In the second Express Entry draw of the week, Invitations to Apply (ITAs) have been released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 3,300 applicants were invited by the government through a Canadian Experience Class (CEC)-only lottery. A minimum score of 507 on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) was required for candidates to be considered. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment Yesterday, the department invited 1,121 candidates in a Provincial Nominee Program-only (PNP) draw. Candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 694 to be considered.  The last round of multiple Express Entry draws took place between August 13-15. The draw on August 15 was a category-based selection draw for those eligible for the French-speaking proficiency category. On August 13, Canada invited 763 candidates in a PNP only draw. Candidate’s needed a minimum score of 690 to be considered. A draw on August 14 was for 3,200 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates with a minimum score of 509. IRCC has recently developed a pattern of holding multiple draws every other week. Over the past few months especially there has been an increased number of PNP and CEC draws. This is in line with the department’s priority to hold more domestic draws to help reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada while also working toward hitting the permanent resident admissions targets outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026. IRCC is planning to welcome 110,770 newcomers through Express Entry in 2024 and 117,500 in 2025. Candidate’s who recieve ITAs in the later half of the year are more likely to help meet the 2025 target because IRCC has a service standard of six months to process all finalized Express Entry applications. Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024 Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS August 27 Canadian Experience Class 3,300 507 August 26 Provincial Nominee Program 1,121 694 August 15 French language proficiency 2,000 394 August 14 Canadian Experience Class 3,200 509 August 13 Provincial Nominee Program 763 690 July 31 Canadian Experience Class 5,000 510 July 30 Provincial Nominee Program 964 686 July 18 French language proficiency 1,800 400 July 17 Canadian Experience Class 6,300 515 July 16 Provincial Nominee Program 1,391 670 July 8 French proficiency 3,200 420 July 5 Healthcare occupations 3,750 445 July 4 Trade occupations 1,800 436 July 2 Provincial Nominee Program 920 739 June 19 Provincial Nominee Program 1,499 663 May 31 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 522 May 30 Provincial Nominee Program 2,985 676 April 24 French proficiency 1,400 410 April 23 General 2,095 529 April 11 STEM occupations 4,500 491 April 10 General 1,280 549 March 26 French language proficiency 1,500 388 March 25 General 1,980 524 March 13 Transport occupations 975 430 March 12 General 2,850 525 February 29 French language proficiency 2,500 336 February 28 General 1,470 534 February 16 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 150 437 February 14 Healthcare occupations 3,500 422 February 13 General 1,490 535 February 1 French language proficiency 7,000 365 January 31 General 730 541 January 23 General 1,040 543 January 10 General 1,510 546 What is Express Entry? Express Entry is an application managment system that oversees three prominent economic immigration class programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class. Candidates in these programs are evaluated and ranked based on human capital factors using the Comprehensive Ranking System. They receive scores for their occupation, work experience, age, education, language ability and occupation in addition to other factors such as if they are immigrating with a spouse or partner or have a sibling in Canada. The points they receive for each factor are added together and make up an overall CRS score. Those who have the highest scores are the most likely to recievev an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence in Canada in an upcoming Express Entry draw. In May 2023, IRCC also annouced it would begin holding category-based rounds of invitations for Express Entry candidates who meet certain criteria due to their occupation or language abilities. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

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