The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has held the first draw of the week. This time, it has released 1,085 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-only draw. To qualify, candidates must have had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 727.
This is the third draw in December. A PNP-specific draw took place on December 2, while a category-based draw happened on December 3, targeting French language proficiency. In November, IRCC conducted six Express Entry draws, which issued a total of 5,507 ITAs for permanent residency.
The draws of December seem to follow a trend wherein the selection is made between PNP, CEC, and language proficiency in French. In this sense, the strategy aligns with IRCC’s Immigration Levels Plan 2025-27, an “In-Canada” focus category, emphasizing the CEC as well as other regional programs potentially including the FSWP and FSTP.
The “In-Canada” category will also play an important role, with 82,980 PR admissions slated for 2025, that is over 40% of the planned immigration targets for next year.
Latest Draw Details
- Draw Date: December 16, 2024
- Draw Type: Provincial Nominee Program
- Number of Invitations: 1,085
- Minimum CRS Score Required: 727
Express Entry Draws List
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
| December 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,085 | 727 |
| December 3 | French Language Proficiency | 800 | 466 |
| December 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 676 | 705 |
| November 20 | Healthcare Occupations | 3,000 | 463 |
| November 19 | Canadian Experience Class | 400 | 539 |
| November 18 | Provincial Nominee Program | 174 | 816 |
| November 15 | French Language Proficiency | 800 | 478 |
| November 13 | Canadian Experience Class | 400 | 547 |
| November 12 | Provincial Nominee Program | 733 | 812 |
| October 23 | Trade Occupations | 1,800 | 433 |
| October 22 | Canadian Experience Class | 400 | 539 |
| October 21 | Provincial Nominee Program | 648 | 791 |
| October 10 | French Language Proficiency | 1,000 | 444 |
| October 9 | Canadian Experience Class | 500 | 539 |
| October 7 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,613 | 743 |
| September 19 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 509 |
| September 13 | French Language Proficiency | 1,000 | 446 |
| 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 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 |
| June 19 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,499 | 663 |
| May 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 522 |
| May 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 2,985 | 676 |
| April 24 | French proficiency | 1,400 | 410 |
| April 23 | General | 2,095 | 529 |
| April 11 | STEM occupations | 4,500 | 491 |
| April 10 | General | 1,280 | 549 |
| March 26 | French language proficiency | 1,500 | 388 |
| March 25 | General | 1,980 | 524 |
| March 13 | Transport occupations | 975 | 430 |
| March 12 | General | 2,850 | 525 |
| February 29 | French language proficiency | 2,500 | 336 |
| February 28 | General | 1,470 | 534 |
| February 16 | Agriculture and agri-food occupations | 150 | 437 |
| February 14 | Healthcare occupations | 3,500 | 422 |
| February 13 | General | 1,490 | 535 |
| February 1 | French language proficiency | 7,000 | 365 |
| January 31 | General | 730 | 541 |
| January 23 | General | 1,040 | 543 |
| January 10 | General | 1,510 | 546 |
Overview of Express Entry
Express Entry is Canada’s application management system for economic immigration programs. It administers applications for three major programs:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
In addition, eligible candidates of Express Entry-aligned PNP streams are invited through the system using enhanced provincial nominations. Using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), applicants get scored for factors such as:
- Age
- Occupation
- Language ability
- Education
- Work experience
Receiving a nomination from a province adds 600 points to the CRS, considerably increasing a candidate’s opportunities to receive an ITA. Further, CRS points can be accrued for having siblings in Canada, applying with a spouse, and combining education experience in Canada with experience abroad.
Category-Based Selections:
In addition to draws based on CRS scores, the IRCC now conducts a category-based selection targeting skills, experience, or language abilities. Category-based selections are meant to relate to the needs of Canada’s labor and demographic conditions.
CRS cut-offs tend to be smaller for categories than for other program-specific or general cuts, creating more opportunities for skill or language proficiency targeted candidates.
