IRCC Selects 911 PNP Candidates Through an Express Entry Draw

IRCC Selects 911 PNP Candidates Through an Express Entry Draw

Vishnu Venugopalapillai Published:
September 11, 2024

Yesterday’s selection draw was the first of September month. In July and August, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held 14 Express Entry draws, setting a record for the highest number of selection draws in a single month since 2015. The most recent draw on August 27 saw the issuance of a total of 3,330 invitations to individuals under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 911 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) exclusively under for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 732. IRCC now holds bi-weekly draws, often featuring at least one draw for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) candidates. This aligns with their goal to offer more opportunities for temporary residents in Canada to become permanent residents and reduce the influx of temporary residents.



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

Source: Owlspriority Immigration internal, IRCC

Chart Analysis:

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 2024-26, aiming to welcome over 485,000 new immigrants by the end of 2024.

What is Express Entry (EE) and how does it work?

Express Entry is an electronic selection system used by the Federal as well as Provincial governments of Canada [to select], as well as designated Canadian employers [to nominate] candidates for Canadian permanent residence under three of its popular economic [skilled] immigration programs.




Candidates eligible for any of the above programs are given a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in the Express Entry Pool. It is based on their Core/Human capital factors such as age, work experience, education, and language ability in English and/or French, etc. And, based on scores, candidates are periodically invited (or nominated) for permanent residence.

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:

  • Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC)
  • Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC)
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

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 labour 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.

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