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On March 13, Canada held a category-based Express Entry draw, issuing 975 invitations. This is first Transportation draw in 2024, with the previous transport occupations draw taking place on December 20, 2023.

A total of 975 candidates were invited with scores starting at 430 CRS points.

This is the third transportation occupations draw ever, and it has the equal lowest CRS cut off for a transportation draw at 430 points.

Please note, it could take up to 24 hours to receive an ITA. Keep an eye on your inbox if you think you may have been invited.

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What happened in the latest Express Entry draws: our analysis

The First Transportation Occupations Draw of 2024

The category-based draw on March 13 targeted transportation occupations. The CRS cut off of 430 for the transportation draw is much lower than what we’re seeing in the general draws, with this week’s general draw having a CRS of 525.

The CRS for this transportation draw is similar to what we’re seeing in other category-based draws, with the most recent healthcare and agriculture draws seeing CRS cut offs ranging from 420-440.

The CRS cut off range we’re seeing for healthcare, transport, and agriculture occupations are all much higher than we’re seeing for the French language category-based draws, however. The most recent French language round of invitations saw a CRS of just 336.

This Week’s General Draw Had The Lowest CRS Cut Off For 2024

At 525, this week’s general draw marks the lowest CRS cut off since October 10 last year, where we saw a general draw CRS requirement of 500.

It is interesting to note that there are more than 9,500 candidates in the Express Entry pool (as of March 11, 2024). This is a significant increase from before the introduction of category-based draws in 2024. In fact, in June of 2023, there were just under 2,000 candidates in the Express Entry pool with scores higher than 501+.

This is likely due to the significant volume of category-based draws that we are seeing. It indicates that the pool of candidates looking to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry is extremely competitive at the moment.

French-Proficiency an advantage in Express Entry in 2024

There’s little doubt that demonstrated French-language skills are a significant advantage in the Express Entry system in 2024. But do you need to have strong French language skills to be eligible?

In a word, no. Intermediate French could be good enough to squeeze into the French language category through which 7,000 invitations were issued on February 1 and a further 2,500 were issued on February 29.

Canada assesses candidates’ language ability across a 12-point scale known as the Canadian Language Benchmarks. The minimum threshold candidates need to meet to get into the French language category is a CLB 7, which corresponds to an intermediate level. At this level, you may still struggle in certain contexts like following detailed conversations or reading complex texts.

You don’t have to be fluent, or even advanced, with French to be invited through the French language category, though of course it is even better if you are fluent or advanced.

Learn more about how French can help you immigrate to Canada.

Express Entry draws picked up in February

Canada’s started the year off slowly with its Express Entry draws, but it appears to be picking up steam.

January had only three draws in total. February saw six draws, including four targeted draws — two for French, and one each for agriculture and agri-food and healthcare occupations.

This week’s draws show CRS dip

This week’s general draw recorded the lowest CRS cut off this year at 525.

We also saw a dip in the CRS cut off for the French language draw on February 29, which issued invitations to candidates with scores of at least 336. Note: this is the lowest recorded CRS cut off for any category based draw.

While the general draw CRS is lower than the first general draws of the year at 546, 543, 541, and 535, to get above the 500s in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) requires some additional points, such as those given with a validated job offer or a nomination in a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

With newly-released Express Entry data, we know that most Express Entry candidates got permanent residency through the PNP in 2023. This finding further suggests how having a PNP can be a boon toward ones application for permanent residency.

In this general draw, at least 965 candidates had scores over 600, which likely indicates a PNP nomination which gives candidates an automatic bonus of 600 points. This means 1,885 candidates with scores between 501-600 were invited. There are 9,567 candidates in the Express Entry system pool on March 12, 2024, which indicates that there may be a significant number of Express Entry candidates (around 7,500) with scores lower than 525 in the pool currently.

Candidates can get additional points by having a provincial nomination from a PNP nomination, a qualifying job offer, bilingualism in English and French, or others.

The following table shows a breakdown of what is worth “additional points” for Express Entry:

FactorPoints
Provincial nomination obtained under an Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream/category600
Qualifying job offer in Senior Management occupation under Major Group 00 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC)*200
Qualifying job offer in any other skilled occupation (TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3)*50
Completed one-year or two-year study program in Canada15
Completed three-year/Master's/entry to practice professional degree or Doctorate (PhD) in Canada30
French ability of CLB 7 or better AND English ability of CLB 4 or worse (or no English test result at all)25
French ability of CLB 7 or better AND English ability of CLB 5 or better50
Sibling in Canada**15

What can we expect for Express Entry Draws in 2024?

Express Entry categories 2024 will remain the same.

IRCC has issued an email update stating that it will maintain the same Express Entry categories in 2024.

The six Express Entry categories include: French language, healthcare workers, STEM workers, transportation workers, trades workers, and workers in agriculture and agrifood.

These categories are being rolled over from 2023, when Canada first started holding category-based draws.

Which Express Entry category is IRCC using most often?

Since Express Entry category-based draws were introduced last summer, 11,900 invitations have been issued through French language category draws. This dwarfs any other category, with the healthcare category in second with 9,100 invitations issued over the same period.

Canada recently increased its goal for francophone immigration outside Quebec, from 4.4 percent to 8 percent of all permanent residents. Canada’s immigration objectives extend beyond mere economic, with societal, nation-building goals also top of mind in Ottawa. Also, it is entirely possible for a candidate with French ability to also be a STEM, healthcare, or trades professional; regardless of which category, or none, candidates are invited through, they all have proven experience in skilled employment in some form or another.

Three general draws in January, two in February

Canada held three general draws in January and two in February, inviting candidates to apply from all programs and categories.

Although the CRS scores in February were lower than what we saw in January, it was relatively high still at 534 and 535. This could indicate that for that draw there were fewer candidates in the pool with high scores, including those with provincial nominations.

Here are some hypothetical scenarios where candidates may have been invited in the February 28 general draw. Please note, these are not examples of real people in the Express Entry pool.

Airi is 29, has 2 or more education certificates one completed in Canada. She has high English proficiency. 1 year of Canadian experience and 3 years of foreign work experience, plus a sibling in Canada: 544 CRS points.

Dhrumil is 31 with a Masters degree from a foreign university. He has high English and French proficiency plus 3 years of foreign work experience: 544 CRS points.

Ash is 30 and has a masters degree, high English proficiency, 3 years of foreign work experience and 1 year of Canadian work experience. They also have a valid job offer in a TEER 1 occupation: 566 CRS points.

What are category-based Express Entry draws?

With category-based selection, Express Entry applicants may be invited for one of the following six categories:

  • French language proficiency
  • Healthcare occupations
  • STEM occupations
  • Trade occupations
  • Transport occupations
  • Agriculture and Agri-food occupations

To be eligible for the French-language proficiency category, you must have French-language test results that show a minimum score of 7 in all 4 language abilities on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens.

For occupation-specific categories, you need to have full time work experience in an eligible occupation for a minimum of six months within the past three years, in conjunction with the minimum full time work experience to be eligible for Express Entry.

Applicants under either of the 3 immigration programs the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades, are eligible for category-based selections draws.

Learn more about the specific occupations on Moving2Canada’s dedicated category-based Express Entry draw webpage.

If you want to be one of the first people to find out about Express Entry updates, create a free Moving2Canada account and sign up for our newsletter.

For more information on Express Entry and other Canadian immigration options, check out these resources:

 

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CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool

The following table shows the recent distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool. As of February 27, there were a total of 211,487 candidates in the Express Entry pool. The score distribution may change as people submit new profiles and other profiles expire.

 

Want to improve your Express Entry CRS score? See our updated guide for tips you might not have thought of yet.

 

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When is the next Express Entry draw predicted?

IRCC does not publish a date for the next Express Entry draw therefore it is not possible to know for certain when the next Express Entry draw will take place.

However, IRCC has historically tended to conduct Express Entry draws every two weeks on Wednesdays. That being said, Express Entry draws can, and do, take place on other days of the week, and sometimes there is a longer or shorter gap between one Express Entry draw and the next draw.

The quickest way to find out when an Express Entry draw has taken place is to create a free Moving2Canada account and sign up for our newsletter.

 

Express Entry CRS score cut-off all-time records

In the history of Express Entry, the following CRS score cut-off records have taken place:

What is the lowest CRS score cut-off in any Express Entry draw:

  • All programs: 413 points
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC): 75 points — this was an exceptional draw that invited all CEC candidates in the Express Entry pool
  • Federal Skilled Trades (FST): 199 points
  • Category-based: 336 points in a French draw

What is the highest CRS score cut-off in any Express Entry draw:

  • All programs: 886 points
  • PNP Draw: 902 points

How to calculate your Express Entry CRS score?

The CRS score for Express Entry is calculated based on factors such as skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other criteria. Moving 2 Canada’s CRS calculator will offer you a comprehensive and personalized breakdown of your points based on those key factors.

 

Express Entry draw list by year

 

Draw #DateNumber of invitations to apply issuedMinimum CRS points requiredCategory
Draw #289Mar 13975430Transportation
Draw #288Mar 122850525--
Draw # 287Feb 292500336French
Draw # 286Feb 281470534--
Draw # 285Feb 16150437Agriculture
Draw # 284Feb 143500422Healthcare
Draw # 283Feb 131490535--
Draw # 282Feb 17000365French
Draw # 281Jan 31730541--
Draw # 280Jan 231040543--
Draw # 279Jan 101510546--

What are the Canadian Express Entry requirements

The Express Entry system is one of Canada’s main immigration pathways to select and skilled workers and issue invitations to apply for Canadian immigration. It is designed to make it quicker for immigrants with skilled work experience to get Canadian permanent residence.

First off, let’s dispel a common mistake. Express Entry is not an immigration program. Rather, it is an online application management system for these three Canadian immigration programs:

You need to meet the minimum requirements of at least one of the three Express Entry programs, mentioned above, in order to get a profile in the Express Entry pool of candidates.

Once you are deemed eligible, you will get a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Your score is based on factors that are determined by the Canadian government to be important for successful economic immigration in Canada. Namely, the four general points categories include:

  • Age: top points are awarded to candidates between ages 20-29
  • Language proficiency: the higher your language level the more points you get, topping out at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 10 in all language abilities
  • Education: the greater your education, the more points you get (foreign credentials require an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA))
  • Work experience: in a skilled occupation according to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.

You may receive additional points for skills transferability factors, having a valid job offer, education in Canada, or a provincial nomination from a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Also, your points distribution will be different depending on if you are applying solo or with your spouse/common-law partner.

After you get your score, you may need to keep your profile updated. The Express Entry system counts your points based on the documents submitted to your profile. For example, if your language test results expire, you will need to submit new ones.

Other than keeping your profile current, the next thing you need to do is wait to be invited in an Express Entry draw. The types of draws you may be invited for include:

  • All-program draws: which consider candidates who may be eligible for any program and from any occupation.
  • Program-specific draws: which target candidates who may be eligible for one particular program, such as CEC draws or PNP draws.
  • Category-based draws: for candidates whose profiles fit an economic goal set out by the government, such as for language ability or occupation.

Will Canadian Experience Class or CEC draws continue?

With the introductions of category based Express Entry draws, IRCC will still hold program specific draws targeting applicants who qualify under a certain immigration program. This means that they will likely continue to hold Canadian Experience Class or CEC draws from the Express entry pool although it is not clear when the next CEC draw will take place. The last CEC draw took place on the 14th September 2021 and selected CEC applicants with a CRS of at least 462. Since this draw, IRCC have focused on all program draws, category based draws and provincial nominee program draws.

What is the minimum score for Express Entry?

There is no minimum score needed to enter the Express Entry pool. Anyone, irrespective of their CRS can enter the Express Entry pool so long as they are eligible for an immigration program that uses the Express Entry pool. The only points requirement is that required to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW). Applicants who wish to immigrate through the FSW program must be able to demonstrate they score at least 67 points in the FSW eligibility grid.

What is the cut off score for Canada PR (Permanent residence)?

Express Entry profiles are selected from the Express Entry pool based on their CRS score. The CRS cut off score depends on the specific draw. For all program draws, the cut off will likely be around 500 whereas for category- based draws, the cut off can be substantially lower than this depending on the category. For example, French speakers in the Express Entry pool may be selected with a CRS cut off as low as 375.

What to do if you receive an Express Entry invitation?

If you are invited, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). This is your chance to apply for Canadian immigration.

You have 60 days to respond to your ITA. Once you have submitted an application, you may receive a decision on your application at any time. IRCC’s standard is six months, but it may take more or less time.

If you are approved, you will get a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). Then it’s just a matter of following IRCC’s instructions to officially become a permanent resident of Canada!

To see if you are eligible for Express Entry, take the free Canada Immigration Quiz.

 

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Citation "Latest Express Entry Draw: Update On Invitations To Apply." Moving2Canada. . Copy for Citation
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