Canada Issues 964 Invitations in Latest Express Entry Draw for PNP Candidates

Overview of the Latest Express Entry Draw

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently issued 964 invitations to apply (ITAs) in an Express Entry draw specifically for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. To qualify, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 686.

Busy Month for Express Entry

This draw marks the eighth one in a very active month for Express Entry. The draws have alternated between program-specific draws (like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and PNP) and category-based selection draws.

Breakdown of Recent Draws

• French Language Proficiency: 5,000 ITAs across two draws.
• Healthcare Candidates: 3,750 ITAs on July 5.
• Trade Occupations: 1,800 ITAs on July 4.
  
  

Program-Specific Draws

IRCC has also issued a high number of ITAs in program-specific draws. By July 18, they invited:

• 6,300 Canadian Experience Class candidates
• 2,311 PNP candidates

These candidates often already live and work in Canada as temporary residents. The return to program-specific draws on May 30 aligns with IRCC’s goal to hold more domestic draws.

New Goals for Temporary Residents

In March, IRCC introduced a new goal to reduce and stabilize the number of temporary residents in Canada while meeting its permanent resident targets as outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan.

Summary of Express Entry Draw Results in 2024

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is an application management system for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). These programs use the Comprehensive Ranking System to evaluate candidates based on factors like age, education, occupation, language skills, and work experience. Higher scores increase the likelihood of receiving an ITA. Express Entry aims to process applications within six months.

Category-Based Selection

To target candidates with specific skills or attributes, IRCC introduced category-based selection draws in May 2023. These categories, chosen through consultations, include:

• Healthcare occupations
• Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
• Trades occupations (e.g., carpenters, plumbers)
• Transport occupations
• Agriculture and agri-food occupations
• French-language proficiency

These categories will remain through 2024 but may change next year.