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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.

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:

1. July 4, 2024: A category-based selection draw for 1,800 candidates in trade occupations.
2. 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:

1. Healthcare occupations
2. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
3. Trades occupations (e.g., carpenters, plumbers)
4. Transport occupations
5. Agriculture and agri-food occupations
6. 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.