Invitations to Apply Canada issues 1st Express Entry draw of July 2024

This would be the fourth program-specific draw of this magnitude, all hosted within the last month. IRCC’s most recent draw was PNP-only on June 19 and invited 1,499 candidates. The minimum CRS score required was 663. The second Invitation Round took place on May 30, which saw 2,985 Express Entry candidates invited, but this time it involved only the PNP category. This was the first draw for an individual program and in general since May 10, 2023. Another round a day after on May 31 saw 3,000 applicants with their CEC statuses invited.

Only those candidates whose applications were submitted through an Express Entry pathway the CEC, Federal Skilled Worker Program, or Federal Skilled Trades Program are considered for program-specific draws. If this is a PNP-only draw, candidates will only be considered if they have been effectively nominated with an upgraded nomination process that connects into Express Entry.

This kind of draw had never been done until recently, in May 2023, when category based selection draws came into place. But IRCC has been making an attempt to regularize Canada’s high temporary resident inventory since January of this year. Open up more possibilities for temporary residents, who are in Canada on a visitation visa, work permit, or study permit, to become permanent residents one such step in that direction.

Many of these temporary residents who are either currently in Canada or have been previously are seeking permanent residency through the CEC. This includes the candidates of the PNP. Through Express Entry, therefore, IRCC is empowered to meet the annual target for the “Federal High Skilled Workers” category of the Immigration Levels Plan at the exact time it reduces the country’s population of temporary residents.

Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024