Canada’s immigration landscape has been dynamic in 2024, with its Express Entry system continuing to be one of the primary methods for economic immigration. In November 2024, the first Express Entry draw of the month made waves by inviting 733 candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Overview of the November 2024 Express Entry Draw
This recent Express Entry draw specifically focused on candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which allows provinces to nominate individuals who possess skills, education, and work experience aligning with their unique economic needs. A total of 733 candidates were invited to apply for permanent residency, but there was a key factor: a high CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score cutoff of 812 points. This requirement was 21 points higher than the previous PNP-specific draw, indicating an increasingly competitive selection process for PNP candidates.
As always, the CRS score is crucial to this selection procedure. It takes into account elements including a candidate’s age, level of education, professional background, language skills, and flexibility. The rise in the minimum score indicates that the Canadian government is giving preference to applicants who possess both strong provincial ties and skill.
Understanding the Tie-Breaking Rule
Canada employs a tie-breaking rule in each Express Entry draw to manage situations where multiple candidates have identical CRS scores. For the November 2024 draw, the tie-breaking rule was set for profiles submitted before March 2, 2024. This means that among candidates with a CRS score of 812, those who submitted their profiles earlier were prioritised. The use of this rule underlines Canada’s commitment to transparency and fairness in its immigration system by ensuring that early applicants are not overlooked.
Focus on In-Canada Candidates
This draw’s connection with Canada’s larger immigration strategy—which has recently turned toward concentrating more on candidates who are currently in Canada—is one of its key characteristics. This strategy places a strong emphasis on drawing in people who can make an instant impact on local economies, given the current labour shortage and the objective of enhancing economic stability. The government hopes to reduce delays related to overseas relocation and more effectively meet regional labour demands by focusing on in-Canada candidates.
This shift also highlights Canada’s desire to retain international graduates and temporary workers who are already contributing to the economy. The trend toward supporting in-Canada candidates reflects policies aimed at ensuring that skilled individuals already familiar with Canadian society and workplace culture have a pathway to permanent residency.
Why a Higher CRS Score?
The rise in the CRS score cutoff for this draw—an increase of 21 points from prior PNP-specific rounds—underscores the competitiveness of the immigration landscape. A higher CRS threshold is likely the result of several factors, including increased demand from candidates seeking to settle in Canada and a targeted focus on nominees with robust provincial support. Additionally, the rise in CRS points for the PNP may indicate an increased supply of highly skilled individuals in the Express Entry pool, reflecting Canada’s emphasis on welcoming immigrants who can address specific provincial labour needs.
CRS Score Distribution In The Pool: November 11
| CRS score range | Number of candidates |
| 601-1200 | 810 |
| 501-600 | 16,245 |
| 451-500 | 64,079 |
| 491-500 | 12,239 |
| 481-490 | 12,309 |
| 471-480 | 15,075 |
| 461-470 | 12,974 |
| 451-460 | 11,482 |
| 401-450 | 56,206 |
| 441-450 | 10,870 |
| 431-440 | 12,049 |
| 421-430 | 10,907 |
| 411-420 | 11,317 |
| 401-410 | 11,063 |
| 351-400 | 51,137 |
| 301-350 | 22,710 |
| 0-300 | 5,548 |
| Total | 216,735 |
Understanding the CRS Score Distribution in the Pool
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score distribution in the Express Entry pool provides an overview of how many candidates fall into different score ranges, which helps to gauge the competitiveness of the pool at any given time. Higher CRS scores, often above 450 or 500, represent strong candidates who are more likely to be selected in upcoming draws. The distribution reflects the pool’s diversity, showing a mix of candidates with varying qualifications, work experiences, and language proficiencies. This distribution is updated periodically to help prospective immigrants understand their chances of receiving an invitation.
What’s Next for Express Entry Candidates?
For those who received invitations in this draw, the next step is to complete their applications for permanent residency, which involves submitting documents and completing background checks. Candidates who did not receive an invitation can continue to improve their CRS scores by enhancing their language skills, gaining additional work experience, or pursuing educational qualifications.
The November 2024 draw demonstrates Canada’s continued dedication to a flexible immigration policy that gives preference to highly qualified people with ties to the province, particularly those who are already residents. Prospective applicants should keep up with any modifications to the Express Entry system and make sure their profiles match the changing requirements as Canada continues to improve its immigration laws.
The first Express Entry draw of November 2024 serves as a clear reminder of Canada’s strategic use of immigration to address labour shortages and stimulate economic growth. With its in-Canada focus and emphasis on provincial nominees, this draw is aligned with Canada’s broader goal to attract and retain skilled individuals who are well-positioned to contribute to the country’s economy.
