In September 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) slowed the pace of Express Entry draws, following a busy summer in July and August. During the month, the IRCC conducted three Express Entry draws, focusing primarily on domestic and francophone candidates for permanent residence (PR) applications.
Express Entry Draws in September
IRCC held three distinct Express Entry draws in September, issuing nearly 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence:
| Draw Number | Date | Round Type | ITAs Issued | Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Cut-off Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 313 | September 9, 2024 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 1,732 | 717 |
| 314 | September 13, 2024 | French Language Proficiency | 1,000 | 446 |
| 315 | September 19, 2024 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 4,000 | 509 |
Over the last three months, IRCC has consistently issued ITAs for candidates in the PNP, CEC, and French-language proficiency streams. The focus on domestic candidates and the francophone community aligns with Immigration Minister Marc Miller’s earlier statements, emphasizing Canada’s commitment to domestic immigration and Francophone immigration outside Quebec.
September’s ITA Numbers Compared to Previous Months
While the summer months saw a significant number of ITAs, September experienced a decline in invitations issued:
| Month | ITAs Issued |
|---|---|
| July | 25,125 |
| August | 10,384 |
| September | 5,911 |
The Express Entry Pool at a Glance
As of September 19, 2024, the distribution of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores among candidates in the Express Entry pool is as follows:
| CRS Score Range | Number of Candidates |
|---|---|
| 0-300 | 5,457 |
| 301-350 | 23,613 |
| 351-400 | 51,137 |
| 401-410 | 10,387 |
| 411-420 | 10,598 |
| 421-430 | 10,102 |
| 431-440 | 11,528 |
| 441-450 | 10,655 |
| 451-460 | 11,035 |
| 461-470 | 12,690 |
| 471-480 | 14,582 |
| 481-490 | 12,110 |
| 491-500 | 11,352 |
| 501-600 | 11,752 |
| 601-1200 | 764 |
The data illustrates that while there are a significant number of candidates across various CRS score ranges, higher scores remain essential to securing an ITA in this competitive environment.
As IRCC continues to shape its immigration policies and focus areas, prospective candidates will need to stay informed and adapt to the evolving landscape of Express Entry draws.