IRCC Issues 911 Invitations to Apply in Latest Express Entry Draw for PNP Candidates
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has once again issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in its recent Express Entry draw, specifically targeting Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates.
In this draw, 911 ITAs were sent out to candidates who met the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 732.
This draw marks the first of the month and follows a particularly active summer. Throughout July and August, IRCC held a total of 14 Express Entry draws, setting a new record in July for the highest number of draws in a single month since the program's inception in 2015. Between July 2 and July 31, there were nine separate draws.
The most recent prior Express Entry draw occurred on August 27, during which 3,330 candidates from the Canadian Experience Class program received ITAs.
IRCC has shown a trend of conducting multiple draws every other week, often including at least one draw aimed at PNP candidates. This approach aligns with their commitment to providing more opportunities for temporary residents in Canada to transition to permanent residency, while also managing the flow of new temporary residents into the country.
2024 Express Entry Draws Summary
| 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 Language 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 |
Understanding Express Entry
Express Entry is a system designed by IRCC in 2015 to manage applications for three key economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Candidates in the Express Entry pool are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which awards points based on factors such as language proficiency, work experience, education, and age. Those with the highest CRS scores are more likely to receive an ITA in future draws.
Additionally, candidates may enhance their chances through PNPs. If an Express Entry candidate receives a provincial nomination, they gain an additional 600 CRS points, making it highly likely that they will receive an ITA in a subsequent draw.
In 2023, IRCC also introduced category-based selection draws to target candidates with specific skills in high-demand areas. These categories 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
IRCC reassesses these categories annually to adjust to shifting labor market needs and demographic trends.
This flexible and adaptive approach ensures that Canada continues to attract individuals with the skills and experience needed to support its economic growth and address critical labor shortages.
For those navigating the immigration process and seeking the right guidance, platforms like immilang.com offer access to certified immigration agents, making the journey towards permanent residency smoother. With professional assistance, candidates can better understand the complexities of their application and maximize their chances of success.