In the recent Express Entry draw on October 9, 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
This was the second Express Entry draw of the week, following another earlier draw aimed at Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, which saw 1,113 invitations issued.
The CEC-focused draw required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 539. This score threshold reflects a competitive selection process, designed to prioritize candidates with substantial Canadian work experience and integration potential.
This week’s express entry draws have seen an increase in the CRS score whilst allowing less people in the express entry pool.
This weeks Express Entry Draw Summary
| Specifics | October 9 | October 7 |
| Category | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | Provincial Nominee Program |
| Invitations | 500 | 1,613 |
| CRS Cutoff | 539 | 743 |
| Tie-breaking rule | February 20, 2024 at 02:57:40 UTC | March 22, 2024 at 18:36:54 UTC |
CRS Score Distribution in the Express Entry Pool
| CRS score range | Number of candidates |
| 601-1200 | 216 |
| 501-600 | 12,312 |
| 451-500 | 63,026 |
| 491-500 | 11,840 |
| 481-490 | 12,282 |
| 471-480 | 14,794 |
| 461-470 | 12,829 |
| 451-460 | 11,281 |
| 401-450 | 54,542 |
| 441-450 | 10,903 |
| 431-440 | 11,876 |
| 421-430 | 10,361 |
| 411-420 | 10,733 |
| 401-410 | 10,669 |
| 351-400 | 50,737 |
| 301-350 | 23,082 |
| 0-300 | 5,402 |
| Total | 209,317 |
CEC candidates and their Advantage
CEC candidates, typically with previous Canadian employment, are often well-positioned to transition into permanent residence and contribute to the economy due to their familiarity with Canadian society and labor markets.
Throughout the summer, IRCC has focused on conducting more Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws, issuing 21,800 ITAs to CEC candidates since July. This approach aligns with IRCC’s goal to increase “domestic” draws and reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada. The strategy is designed to help meet the department’s annual targets for new permanent residents. The latest draw is the second one in October, emphasizing the continued focus on transitioning temporary residents to permanent status.
For CEC candidates, this draw provides a significant opportunity. Many CEC candidates are already living and working in Canada on temporary work permits, making their transition to permanent residency smoother and faster. The relatively lower CRS score requirement compared to past draws allows a broader range of candidates to receive invitations, potentially speeding up their path to becoming permanent residents.
What’s Next for Express Entry?
With the week beginning with a PNP-focused draw followed by a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw, it’s likely that we’ll see additional Express Entry draws in the coming days. Given the limited number of invitations so far, a category-based draw could be expected next.
Category-based selection draws tend to have lower CRS score thresholds on average. These draws, introduced by IRCC in May 2023, aim to prioritize Express Entry candidates who can address critical workforce needs or demographic gaps. The six designated categories for these draws include:
- Healthcare
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
- Trades
- Transport
- Agriculture and agri-food
- French language proficiency
These targeted draws allow IRCC to focus on attracting skilled individuals in key areas.
Stay updated with TheCanadaTime for this week’s upcoming draw
