canada-s-express-entry-low-cut-off-sets-new-precedent

Canada's Express Entry | Low Cut-off Sets New Precedent

Michael Zimmer Published:
March 06, 2024

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In a bid to bolster its skilled workforce and foster linguistic diversity, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently conducted a series of Express Entry draws, issuing invitations to candidates for permanent residence. The latest Express Entry draw saw a total of 2,500 candidates being invited for permanent residency. The draw was a categories-based draw, focusing on candidates with French language proficiency. To qualify, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 336 – the lowest ever recorded for a category-based Express Entry draw.

This draw follows a general draw that was held on February 28, where a total of 1,410 candidates were issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 534. These general draws encompass candidates from all three Express Entry managed programs, reflecting the diverse skill sets sought by Canada's latest immigration policies. February proved to be a busy month for the federal government’s Express Entry, with a total of 16,110 candidates receiving invitations to Apply (ITAs) . Alongside the general draws, three category-based selection draws targeted candidates with strong French language proficiency, healthcare occupations, and agriculture and agri-food occupations.

Interestingly, the initial French draw of 2024 held on February 1st saw a higher number of invitations, totaling 7,000 candidates, despite a higher CRS threshold of 365. However, the subsequent draw saw a notable reduction in invitations issued, coupled with the record-low CRS score requirement of just 336 points.

A chart depicting the CRS cut-off scores for the last 10 EE draws.

Source: Owlspriority Immigration internal, IRCC

The chart illustrates a noticeable pattern in the recent Express Entry draws conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and this trend has been received with enthusiasm. There has been a decrease in the cut-off Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, in each separate category, resulting in a higher number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) being issued to eligible candidates. This adjustment has been made to ensure that IRCC achieves its multi-year immigration target for 2024 to 26, aiming to welcome over 485,000 new immigrants by the end of 2024.

What is the new category-based selection in Express Entry?

Category-based selection in Express Entry refers to the practice of holding rounds of invitations that specifically target candidates with certain attributes or qualifications. These attributes could include proficiency in French language or work experience in specific occupations facing shortages. In the context mentioned, the categories include:

French-language proficiency: candidates demonstrating proficiency in the French language.

Occupation-specific draws: candidates with work experience in the below five key occupations facing shortages:

Healthcare
STEM Professions (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
Trades
Transport
Agriculture and Agri-food

The rationale behind category-based EE Selection is to address labor shortages in critical sectors of the Canadian economy. Canada aims to welcome more skilled workers to alleviate these shortages, especially considering the anticipated retirement of up to nine million Canadians by 2030. The Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, emphasizes the importance of skilled immigration in eliminating these shortages.

Check if you qualify for Express Entry. Check out our Settlement Resources to learn how to find employment in Canada, making your initial days stress-free, etc.