On August 27, 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a significant Express Entry draw exclusively targeting candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
This latest CEC draw marks a pivotal moment in Canada’s ongoing efforts to address labor shortages by facilitating the pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers already residing in the country.
Key Highlights of the August 27, 2024, CEC Draw:
- Number of Invitations Issued: A total of 3,300 invitations to apply (ITAs) were issued during this draw, allowing a substantial number of candidates with Canadian work experience to take the next step toward permanent residency. We can see a trend in the issuance of ITAs in the 3000 range.
- Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score: The minimum CRS score required for this draw was 507. This score reflects the competitive nature of the draw, emphasizing the importance of having robust work experience and other qualifying factors within Canada. The highlight of CEC draws in regards to CRS score is that it reduces each time by 1 or 2 points
- Targeting the Canadian Experience Class: This draw was specific to the CEC category, which is designed for individuals who have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years. The program is particularly popular among international students who have graduated from Canadian institutions and gained valuable work experience in the country.
- Tie-Breaking Rule: IRCC implemented its tie-breaking rule with a timestamp of June 5, 2024, at 01:08:58 UTC. This means that candidates with a score of 507 were eligible to receive an invitation to apply only if they had submitted their Express Entry profile before this specified time. Whereas the tie-breaking rule for the previous CEC draw on August 14 was March 01, 2024, at 19:23:21 UTC.
What’s Next for CEC Candidates?
Those who were selected for an ITA in this draw will now have sixty days to finish their permanent residency application. This entails supplying all required paperwork, including police records, educational records, certifications of fluency in other languages, and evidence of previous employment.
As Canada continues to refine its Express Entry system, candidates are encouraged to keep their profiles up-to-date and monitor upcoming draws. With the evolving landscape of immigration, staying informed and prepared is crucial for those aspiring to make Canada their permanent home.
Latest CRS score distribution in the pool
| CRS score range | Number of candidates |
| 601-1200 | 127 |
| 501-600 | 9,764 |
| 451-500 | 61,133 |
| 491-500 | 10,918 |
| 481-490 | 12,038 |
| 471-480 | 14,722 |
| 461-470 | 12,676 |
| 451-460 | 10,779 |
| 401-450 | 51,863 |
| 441-450 | 10,259 |
| 431-440 | 11,142 |
| 421-430 | 9,814 |
| 411-420 | 10,493 |
| 401-410 | 10,155 |
| 351-400 | 52,363 |
| 301-350 | 24,396 |
| 0-300 | 5,491 |
| Total | 205,137 |
Why Is IRCC Holding CEC Draws Frequently This Year?
In 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) significantly increased the frequency of Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws, a trend rooted in the government’s strategy to prioritize the transition of temporary residents to permanent residents. On March 21st, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced a deliberate shift towards more “domestic draws,” focusing on selecting candidates already residing and working in Canada. This approach aims to address critical labor shortages in sectors like healthcare and housing by converting the status of skilled temporary workers into permanent residents who are residing in Canada.
These “domestic draws” refer to the rounds of invitations within programs managed by Express Entry, where candidates are selected based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores, professional experience, or language abilities. By concentrating on CEC candidates—those with Canadian work experience—IRCC is ensuring that individuals who have already integrated into Canadian society and the workforce are given priority in the immigration process.
Minister Miller emphasized that this strategy not only supports the federal government’s goals but also encourages provinces and territories to align their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) with this focus. The increased frequency of CEC draws is a direct response to the need for a more stable and permanent workforce, especially in sectors under strain. As a result, 2024 has seen multiple CEC-specific draws, including the ones on August 14th and August 27th, which issued a combined total of 7,000 invitations to apply for permanent residency.
The emphasis on CEC draws this year is a reflection of IRCC’s broader objective to stabilize the Canadian economy and address labor shortages by facilitating the permanent residency process for those who are already contributing to the country’s growth.
This recent CEC draw on August 27, 2024, is a testament to Canada’s ongoing efforts to attract and retain skilled workers who are already contributing to the country. For those invited, this represents an exciting opportunity to solidify their future in Canada.
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