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On November 15, 2024, Canada held its Express Entry draw #324, inviting 800 French-speaking candidates to apply for Permanent Residency (PR). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw dropped to 478, creating a fantastic opportunity for French-speaking professionals to live and work in one of the most immigrant-friendly countries in the world.

Key Details of Express Entry Draw #324

• Date: November 15, 2024
• Invitations Issued: 800
• Minimum CRS Score: 478

Why French-Speaking Candidates Are in Demand

Canada is prioritizing French-speaking immigrants to strengthen Francophone communities. These efforts align with the government’s goal of fostering cultural diversity and addressing labor shortages in various industries. French-speaking professionals also bring bilingualism, which is a key asset in many sectors of Canada’s economy, such as healthcare, education, and public services.

Targeted Immigration Through Category-Based Selection

This draw is part of Canada’s category-based Express Entry rounds, designed to address specific labor market needs and streamline immigration pathways for high-demand professions. In 2024, the following categories are prioritized:

1. French Language Proficiency
2. Healthcare Professionals
3. Skilled Trades
4. Technology Workers
5. Agricultural Workers
6. Early Childhood Educators

These categories aim to fill critical job vacancies and support the country’s economic growth. French-speaking candidates, in particular, play an important role in ensuring Canada meets its long-term goals for cultural and linguistic diversity.

Canada’s Focus on French-Speaking Immigrants

Canada’s Immigration Plan for 2025-2027 outlines clear targets to increase the number of French-speaking immigrants each year:

• 2025: 8.5% of all PR admissions
• 2026: 9.5% of all PR admissions
• 2027: 10% of all PR admissions

This gradual increase reflects Canada’s dedication to enriching its Francophone communities, promoting bilingualism, and supporting its labor force.

Tips to Improve Your Chances in Future Draws

If you weren’t selected in this draw, there are still many ways to improve your eligibility for future rounds:

• Enhance Language Proficiency: Boost your French and English skills to earn more CRS points.
• Gain More Experience: Work experience in a high-demand field can strengthen your profile.
• Apply for Provincial Nomination: Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) offer additional CRS points and increase your chances of selection.
• Pursue Further Education: Higher qualifications can significantly boost your CRS score.

A Gateway to Opportunity

The Express Entry system continues to provide a pathway for skilled professionals to establish themselves in Canada. With a thriving economy, excellent quality of life, and welcoming communities, Canada remains a top destination for immigrants worldwide.

The recent draw highlights Canada’s proactive approach to immigration by targeting labor market needs and fostering diversity. With a reduced CRS score of 478, this is a golden opportunity for French-speaking professionals to turn their dream of living in Canada into reality.

For tailored guidance, connect with our experts at Swift Immigration and take the first step toward building a brighter future in Canada.

In its second Express Entry draw of the week, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 3,300 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category. The draw, held on August 27, required candidates to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 507 to be considered for an invitation.

This draw follows a previous one held the day before, where 1,121 candidates from the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) were invited, requiring a minimum CRS score of 694.

Recent Express Entry Activity

In recent months, IRCC has shown a pattern of holding multiple draws every other week, particularly focusing on Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. This is part of the government’s strategy to reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada by facilitating their transition to permanent residency, while also meeting the country’s immigration targets for the coming years.

IRCC’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026 outlines a target of welcoming 110,770 newcomers through Express Entry in 2024, and 117,500 in 2025. Candidates who receive ITAs later in 2024 are likely to help meet the 2025 targets due to the six-month processing window for Express Entry applications.

Express Entry Draw Summary (2024)

Here’s a summary of notable draws from the past few months:

Date	Draw Type	Number of ITAs	Minimum CRS
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

CEC and PNP Focus

The focus on Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Program candidates reflects the IRCC’s broader goal of supporting domestic immigration. CEC candidates, who are typically temporary residents with Canadian work experience, are well-positioned for permanent residency as they are already integrated into the Canadian economy and society.

Provincial Nominee Program draws have also seen substantial numbers of ITAs. The PNP allows provinces to nominate candidates with the skills needed to fill local labor shortages, contributing to the economic and social development of their regions.

Express Entry Overview

Express Entry is the primary application management system for three economic immigration programs in Canada:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program
3. Canadian Experience Class

Candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which awards points based on factors like occupation, work experience, age, education, language skills, and whether a candidate has family in Canada. Those with the highest CRS scores receive ITAs to apply for permanent residency.

Category-Based Invitations

In May 2023, IRCC introduced category-based rounds for Express Entry. These draws prioritize candidates based on factors such as specific occupations or language proficiency. This system aims to address gaps in Canada’s labor market by targeting individuals with the skills and qualifications that are in demand.

Looking Forward

With the increasing number of ITAs being issued, candidates in the Express Entry pool have a strong chance of receiving invitations in upcoming draws. Canada’s focus on welcoming skilled workers aligns with the country’s economic growth plans, and Express Entry remains a key pathway to permanent residency for thousands of individuals.

Discover if You Are Eligible for Express Entry

To explore your eligibility and potential CRS score, take advantage of free Express Entry assessments and stay updated on upcoming 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.

Canada is known for its inclusive immigration policies, which extend to its temporary foreign worker (TFW) programs. Among the options available to TFWs, work permits are typically divided into two categories: those that require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and those that do not. An LMIA is a document that Canadian employers must sometimes obtain from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) before hiring a TFW. The LMIA proves that the hiring of a TFW will have a positive or neutral impact on the Canadian labor market. However, thanks to various international agreements, some TFWs can work in Canada without the need for an LMIA. Here’s how.

LMIA-Exempt Work Permits

Several international agreements allow Canadian employers to hire TFWs from specific countries without obtaining an LMIA. These agreements simplify the process, enabling TFWs to contribute to the Canadian economy while bypassing the often-lengthy LMIA process. Below are some of the key occupations and agreements that facilitate LMIA-exempt work permits.

Traders

Canadian employers can hire foreign nationals as traders without an LMIA if they are from one of the following countries: the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, South Korea, or Peru. This exemption is possible due to international agreements like the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which replaced NAFTA. Under CUSMA, American citizens can work in Canada without needing a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). Mexican citizens, while generally requiring a TRV, can also enter Canada without

one under specific conditions.

A trader, as defined by these agreements, is a professional engaged in substantial trade of goods or services between Canada and their country of citizenship.

Investors

Investors from nine countries/regions can work in Canada without an LMIA under various international agreements. These include the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, South Korea, Peru, the European Union (under CETA), the United Kingdom, and certain Trans-Pacific countries participating in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

An investor, according to these agreements, is generally someone who has made a substantial investment in a Canadian business and is coming to Canada to develop and direct that business.

Professionals

Professionals from countries like the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Panama, Peru, GATS member nations, and CPTPP countries can also work in Canada without an LMIA. The definition of a “professional” varies by agreement, but under CUSMA, it typically refers to individuals with pre-arranged employment or a service contract with a Canadian company, working in an occupation that matches their professional qualifications.

Intra-Company Transfers

Intra-Company Transfers (ICTs) allow employees of foreign companies to work temporarily in Canada for a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of their employer. While ICT work permits are available to all countries, certain international agreements have specific provisions for executives, senior managers, and specialized knowledge workers from countries like the United Kingdom, CPTPP member nations, and
CETA member nations.

Other LMIA-Exempt Categories

There are other unique situations where TFWs can work in Canada without an LMIA. These include airline personnel, government personnel from the United States, and technicians from countries like Colombia, Panama, and Peru.

In conclusion, Canada’s international agreements open doors for TFWs from specific countries, allowing them to work in the country without an LMIA. These agreements simplify the process for both employers and employees, making Canada an attractive destination for skilled workers from around the world.
Understanding these exemptions is crucial for employers looking to hire internationally and for TFWs seeking opportunities in Canada. 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.