In a noteworthy development, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued invitations to apply (ITAs) in the third Express Entry draw of the week. This draw highlights IRCC’s dynamic approach to meeting Canada’s labor market needs and managing its immigration system.
Healthcare Occupations Draw
On July 5, IRCC conducted a category-based selection draw specifically for healthcare occupations, issuing 3,750 ITAs. Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 445 to be considered. This draw reflects the Canadian government’s priority to address the country’s healthcare workforce needs by inviting skilled professionals from around the world.
Recent Draws Recap
This healthcare-specific draw followed two other significant draws earlier in the week:
- July 4, 2024: A category-based selection draw for 1,800 candidates in trade occupations.
- July 2, 2024: A draw exclusively for candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), issuing 920 ITAs to those with a minimum CRS score of 739.
With these three draws combined, the total number of ITAs issued this week reaches 6,470, the highest number of ITAs issued in a single week since April.
Trends in Program-Specific Draws
The recent surge in program-specific draws, which began earlier this year, highlights IRCC’s strategic approach to immigration. Since May 30, IRCC has conducted four program-specific draws, three of which focused on PNP candidates. These targeted draws are designed to meet specific labor market needs and support Canada’s economic goals.
Program-Specific vs. Category-Based Draws
Program-specific draws consider candidates from specific Express Entry programs such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). In contrast, category-based selection draws, introduced in May 2023, allow IRCC to target candidates with in-demand skills or attributes, irrespective of their CRS scores.
Supporting Temporary Residents
The recent emphasis on program-specific and category-based draws aligns with IRCC’s efforts to stabilize the high levels of temporary residents in Canada. By offering more pathways to permanent residency (PR), IRCC aims to help temporary residents, such as those on work or study permits, transition to PR status. This strategy not only meets the immigration targets but also reduces the number of temporary residents in Canada.
Meeting Immigration Targets
The focus on candidates currently residing in Canada or with Canadian experience ensures that IRCC can meet its yearly target for “Federal High Skilled Workers” (Express Entry) as outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan. This approach leverages the existing pool of temporary residents, who are often well-integrated into Canadian society and the labor market.
Summary of Express Entry Draw Results in 2024
Below is a summary of the Express Entry draw results so far in 2024:
Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
---|---|---|---|
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 | 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 |
Understanding Express Entry
The Express Entry application management system, introduced in 2015, aims to attract and process applications from candidates with in-demand skills. It oversees the FSWP, FSTP, and CEC programs. Candidates are assessed based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which considers factors such as age, work experience, education, language ability, and occupation. Higher CRS scores increase the likelihood of receiving an ITA.
What is Category-Based Selection?
Category-based selection draws, introduced in 2023, enable IRCC to invite candidates with specific skills or attributes needed in Canada’s workforce. The six categories for 2024 include:
- Healthcare occupations
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- Trades occupations (e.g., carpenters, plumbers)
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
- French-language proficiency
These draws focus on specific skills, often resulting in lower CRS scores compared to general draws. Stay tuned with Swift Immigration Solution for more updates as we continue to unravel the latest news of Canada’s Immigration Policies and provide you with the tools you need for a successful immigration journey.