As of September 2024, Canada’s Express Entry system continues to evolve, reflecting the country’s shifting priorities in immigration. After a record-breaking number of draws in July, August maintained momentum with several key updates, including notable changes in the composition of candidates receiving Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence (PR).
Breakdown of August Draws
In August 2024, the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held five Express Entry draws, issuing over 10,000 ITAs. This marked a return to a more consistent pattern, with draws taking place every other week. Here’s a summary of the major draws:
| Draw Number | Date | Round Type | ITAs Issued | CRS Cut-off Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 312 | 27/08/24 | Canadian Express Class (CEC) | 3,300 | 507 |
| 311 | 26/08/24 | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 1,121 | 694 |
| 310 | 15/08/24 | Category Based Selection (French) | 2,000 | 394 |
| 309 | 14/08/24 | CEC | 3,200 | 509 |
| 308 | 13/08/24 | PNP | 763 | 690 |
The ongoing focus on Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws aligns with announcements made earlier by the Minister of Immigration, Marc Miller. These “domestic” draws prioritize those already in Canada as temporary residents, particularly individuals on work permits who are eligible to transition to PR. This strategy helps manage the demand for housing and other infrastructure while meeting the country’s immigration targets.
Moreover, the emphasis on Francophone immigration continues to grow, with a specific goal to increase the percentage of French-speaking immigrants settling outside Quebec. The percentage is set to rise from 6% this year to 7% in 2025 and 8% by 2026. In 2024 alone, seven French language proficiency draws have issued more than 19,000 ITAs.
Express Entry Pool Composition
As of August 27th, 2024, the distribution of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores in the Express Entry pool was as follows:
- 0-300: 5,491 candidates
- 301-350: 24,396 candidates
- 351-400: 52,363 candidates
- 401-410: 10,155 candidates
- 411-420: 10,493 candidates
- 421-430: 9,814 candidates
- 431-440: 11,142 candidates
- 441-450: 10,259 candidates
- 451-460: 10,779 candidates
- 461-470: 12,676 candidates
- 471-480: 14,722 candidates
- 481-490: 12,038 candidates
- 491-500: 10,918 candidates
- 501-600: 9,764 candidates
- 601-1200: 127 candidates
Half of the candidates currently in the pool have a CRS score of 420 or lower, illustrating the competitive nature of Canada’s immigration system.
These developments highlight Canada’s ongoing efforts to manage immigration flows while addressing economic and social challenges within the country. As the year progresses, further changes in Express Entry draws and immigration policies are expected to align with both domestic and global priorities.