Three Express Entry Draws – February 13, 14 and 16^th

 IRCC invites 1,490 Express Entry candidates in All-Program Draw

On February 13, 2024, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) conducted Express Entry Draw #283,  inviting 1,490 candidates in an all-program draw. Invitations were sent to candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 535. This is the lowest CRS score for 2024 in the all-program category. In 2024, there were three all-program draws in January, inviting a total of 3,280 candidates. The minimum CRS score for these draws ranged between 546 and 541. The first draw of the year was an all-program draw #237 on January 10, 2024.

IRCC invites 3,500 Express Entry candidates in category-based draw for Healthcare Occupations

 The next draw conducted was Express Entry Draw #284, conducted on February 14, 2024, inviting 3,500 candidates in a category-based selection draw for Healthcare occupations. Invitations were sent to candidates with a CRS score of 422. This is the first draw for healthcare occupations in 2024. In 2023, there were three draws for healthcare occupations: Draw #271 (3,600 ITA’s / CRS Score 431) on October 26th, Draw #255 (1,500 ITA’s / CRS Score 463) on July 6^th, and Draw #252 (500 ITA’s / CRS Score 476) on June 28^th.

IRCC invites 150 Express Entry candidates in category-based draw for Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations

 Then, on February 16^th, IRCC conducted Express Entry Draw #285, which was the first category-based selection draw for Agriculture and Agri-Food occupations in 2024. For this draw, 150 candidates were selected with a CRS score of 437. The first Agriculture and Agri-Food category based Express Entry Draw #287 was held on September 28, 2023 and 600 invitations were issued to candidates with a minimum CRS score of 354. For both draws, the occupations included were butchers (retail & wholesale), agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors, and contractors & supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services.

CRS Scores

Looking back at 2023, a review of the data shows that candidates who received an ITA had a CRS score between 451-500 (26,070) and 501-600 (11,640). Candidates with PNP nominations had CRS scores between 900-1200 (12,590).

Based on the total all-program draws in 2023, the lowest CRS score occurred on March 29^th with Draw #245 and the highest CRS score was 561 and occurred on December 6^th (Draw #272).

Of the four all-program draws of 2024, we see a small decline in CRS scores for each draw: 546, 543, 541 and 535. Although it is difficult to predict the CRS score required for an ITA, it is unlikely that the CRS scores for all-program draws will drop to the 451-500 range, as we have seen in previous years. Candidates eligible under one of the six category-based occupational fields will more likely see a lower CRS score for an ITA.

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Criteria for Express Entry

 Canada uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank skilled worker candidates who want to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry. The CRS awards candidates a score based on criteria such as their age, education, language skills, and work experience.

The CRS evaluates each candidate (and their spouse or partner, if they have one) based on their human capital. Canada looks at a candidate’s age, education, English and/or French skills, work experience, among other criteria. The Canadian government then provides candidates with a CRS score based on their human capital characteristics.

CRS scores identify skilled worker candidates who have the best chance to succeed in its job market. The CRS is beneficial for Canada and immigrants themselves. By using this detailed and evidence-based approach to scoring and ranking immigrants, Canada does its part to welcome immigrants who are most likely to have fulfilling careers in the country.

The CRS is informed by many decades of Canadian government research on immigrant outcomes in the job market. The Canadian government’s research finds that new immigrants who arrive young and middle-aged, with high levels of work experience, education, and language skills are able to integrate very well in the Canadian job market.

More evidence confirms that Canadian government research is correct and that the CRS is the right model for Canada to use for Express Entry. In 2020, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released a report on how Express Entry immigrants have been performing in the Canadian job market since Express Entry launched in 2015. Thanks to how the CRS is structured, the report found that Express Entry immigrants have high salaries, high rates of employment, and low rates of unemployment in Canada.

Below is a summary of the breakdown.

There is a total of 1,200 points available under the Comprehensive Ranking System.

For candidates without an accompanying spouse or common-law partner, there are:

• a maximum of 500 points available for core human capital factors;
• a maximum of 100 points available for skill transferability factors; and
• 600 points available for additional factors (including a provincial nomination, an offer of arranged employment, Canadian study experience, a sibling in Canada, and/or French language ability).

For candidates with an accompanying spouse or common-law partner, there are:

• a maximum of 460 points available for core human capital factors of the principal applicant;
• a maximum of 40 points for the core human capital factors of the spouse or common-law partner;
• a maximum of 100 points available for skill transferability factors; and
• 600 points available for additional factors (including a provincial nomination, an offer of arranged employment, Canadian study experience, a sibling in Canada, and/or French language ability).

If your spouse or partner is not coming with you to Canada, or they are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you will earn points as if you don’t have a spouse or partner.

French ability

• 25 additional points for French-speaking candidates who prove adequate intermediate (equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark 7) or better French ability, and English language test results of CLB 4 or lower, or no English test results at all.
• 50 additional points for French-speaking candidates who prove adequate intermediate or better French ability, and who also prove English language test result of CLB 5 or better.

Sibling in Canada

• 15 additional points for candidates with a sibling in Canada who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of at least 18 years of age. These points may also be awarded if the candidate’s spouse or common-law partner has a sibling in Canada. The candidate or his or her spouse/common-law partner must share a mother and/or father with the sibling in Canada. This relationship can be through blood, adoption, marriage, or common-law partnership.

Category-Based Draws

Category-based selection draws are a new type of Express Entry draw that aims to invite candidates within specific occupational fields or those who have other in-demand attributes. There are currently six new categories for which candidates may be eligible:

1. Healthcare
2. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
3. Trades, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
4. Transport
5. Agriculture and agri-food
6. Strong French-language proficiency

The categories are based on specific attributes that align with Canada’s economic priorities or will promote the French language outside of Quebec. While individual provinces have their own provincial nominee programs that are francophone-based, having the category selection within express entry draws will further promote French speakers coming to Canada.

To be eligible for category-based selection, you must already be in the Express Entry pool and qualify under one of the three express entry programs, such as Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trade or Canadian Experience class.

If you have any questions about this draw, or upcoming draws, please do not hesitate to contact us at The Poonah Immigration Law Firm. You can reach us by emailing info@poonahimmigrationlaw.com or by calling us at 678-978-5848.