Express Entry draw, Canada has sent out 4,500 invitations.
In a major development for Canada’s skilled immigration program, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has held the largest-ever Express Entry draw targeting candidates with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Specifics of the Draw
The draw, which took place on April 11th, 2024, saw IRCC issue an impressive 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Express Entry candidates who had declared a STEM occupation in their profiles. This is the highest number of STEM-specific ITAs issued in a single draw since the government began holding these targeted rounds.
CRS Score
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required to receive an invitation in this Express Entry Draw was 491 points – a slight increase from the previous STEM-focused draw in January 2024, which had a cut-off of 480 points.
The importance of STEM
The administration is sending a strong message about the significance of strengthening the nation’s STEM labor supply by dramatically increasing the number of invites sent out.
Details from the April 11th, 2024 STEM-focused Express Entry draw:
- Invitations issued: 4,500
- Minimum CRS score: 491
- Program selected: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Canadian Experience Class
- Tie-breaking rule: February 25, 2024 at 11:55:12 UTC
The decision to hold this large-scale STEM-specific draw comes as Canada continues to grapple with skills gaps and labor shortages in key technology sectors. Recent labor market data has shown acute demand for STEM professionals across industries, from artificial intelligence and quantum computing to renewable energy and biotechnology.
The future of STEM Draws
With plans for additional STEM-focused Express Entry draw throughout 2024, skilled immigrants with backgrounds in these in-demand fields will want to ensure their profiles are up-to-date and ready for consideration. Staying informed on the latest program changes and draw details will be crucial for those looking to maximize their chances of receiving an ITA.
An overview of every Express Entry drawing held in March 2024
Over the course of four Express Entry lotteries held in March 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has given 7,305 invitations in total.
| Description | March 26, 2024 | March 25, 2024 | March 13, 2024 | March 12, 2024 |
| Draw type | Targeted draw for profiles with high proficiency in French | General or all program draws | Targeted draw for 10 transport occupations | General or all program draws |
| Invitations | 1,500 | 1,980 | 975 | 2,850 |
| CRS Cutoff | 388 | 524 | 430 | 525 |
| Tie-breaking rule | March 10, 2024 at 20:06:26 UTC | February 25, 2024 at 14:42:38 UTC | July 31, 2023 at 13:27:26 UTC | March 12, 2024 at 15:56:42 UTC |
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
| NOC Code | Occupation |
| 20010 | Engineering managers |
| 20011 | Architecture and science managers |
| 20012 | Computer and information systems managers |
| 21200 | Architects |
| 21201 | Landscape Architects |
| 21202 | Urban and land use planners |
| 21203 | Land surveyors |
| 21210 | Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries |
| 21211 | Data scientists |
| 21220 | Cybersecurity specialists |
| 21221 | Business systems specialists |
| 21222 | Information systems specialists |
| 21223 | Database analysts and data administrators |
| 21230 | Computer systems developers and programmers |
| 21231 | Software engineers and designers |
| 21232 | Software developers and programmers |
| 21233 | Web designers |
| 21234 | Web developers and programmers |
| 21300 | Civil Engineers |
| 21310 | Electrical and electronics engineers |
| 21311 | Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) |
| 21321 | Industrial and manufacturing engineers |
| 21322 | Metallurgical and materials engineers |
| 41400 | Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers |
