Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 3,200 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the fourth Express Entry draw of July 2024. This category-based selection draw focused on candidates with French language proficiency, requiring a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 420 to be considered.
Recent Draws and ITA Issuance
The July 8 draw follows three draws held earlier this month between July 2-5. The July 2 draw invited 920 candidates in a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) only draw, with a minimum CRS score of 739. Subsequently, a category-based selection draw on July 4 issued 1,800 ITAs to candidates in trade occupations, and another on July 5 invited 3,750 candidates in healthcare occupations.
July has been an active month for Express Entry draws. IRCC typically conducts draws every second week, averaging two to four draws monthly. The last month to feature four draws was April, while February has been the busiest month of the year so far, with six draws.
French-proficiency draws are expected to account for 30% of the ITAs issued in category-based selection draws this year. To date, IRCC has issued 15,600 ITAs to eligible candidates in this category.
Summary of Express Entry Draw Results in 2024
- July 8: French proficiency, 3,200 ITAs, Minimum CRS 420
- July 5: Healthcare occupations, 3,750 ITAs, Minimum CRS 445
- July 4: Trade occupations, 1,800 ITAs, Minimum CRS 436
- July 2: Provincial Nominee Program, 920 ITAs, Minimum CRS 739
- June 19: Provincial Nominee Program, 1,499 ITAs, Minimum CRS 663
- May 31: Canadian Experience Class, 3,000 ITAs, Minimum CRS 522
- May 30: Provincial Nominee Program, 2,985 ITAs, Minimum CRS 676
- April 24: French proficiency, 1,400 ITAs, Minimum CRS 410
- April 23: General, 2,095 ITAs, Minimum CRS 529
- April 11: STEM occupations, 4,500 ITAs, Minimum CRS 491
- April 10: General, 1,280 ITAs, Minimum CRS 549
- March 26: French language proficiency, 1,500 ITAs, Minimum CRS 388
- March 25: General, 1,980 ITAs, Minimum CRS 524
- March 13: Transport occupations, 975 ITAs, Minimum CRS 430
- March 12: General, 2,850 ITAs, Minimum CRS 525
- February 29: French language proficiency, 2,500 ITAs, Minimum CRS 336
- February 28: General, 1,470 ITAs, Minimum CRS 534
- February 16: Agriculture and agri-food occupations, 150 ITAs, Minimum CRS 437
- February 14: Healthcare occupations, 3,500 ITAs, Minimum CRS 422
- February 13: General, 1,490 ITAs, Minimum CRS 535
- February 1: French language proficiency, 7,000 ITAs, Minimum CRS 365
- January 31: General, 730 ITAs, Minimum CRS 541
- January 23: General, 1,040 ITAs, Minimum CRS 543
- January 10: General, 1,510 ITAs, Minimum CRS 546
Understanding Express Entry
Express Entry is IRCC’s application management system for three prominent economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Launched in 2015, it aims to identify immigration candidates with the best potential for integrating into Canada’s workforce and economy.
Candidates are evaluated using the Comprehensive Ranking System, which assigns scores based on factors such as age, language ability, education, work experience, and occupation. Higher scores increase the likelihood of receiving an ITA from IRCC in upcoming draws.
Category-Based Selection
Introduced in 2023, category-based selection draws target candidates who can fill urgent workforce gaps. The six categories, chosen after consultations with stakeholders and provincial and territorial governments, include:
- Healthcare occupations
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- Trades occupations (e.g., carpenters, plumbers, contractors)
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
- French-language proficiency
These categories will remain until 2025 and may be adjusted based on Canada’s labor force demands. For all categories except French proficiency, candidates require at least six months of relevant work experience in an eligible National Occupation Classification (NOC) code. French-speaking candidates need a minimum score of seven in reading, writing, speaking, and listening on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens.
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