IRCC Invites 911 PNP Candidates in Latest Express Entry Draw

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 911 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the latest Express Entry draw, specifically for candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). To qualify, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 732.

This draw marks the first of the month, following an eventful summer of frequent invitations. In July and August, IRCC held 14 Express Entry draws, with July setting a record for the highest number of draws in a single month since the system launched in 2015. A total of nine draws took place in July alone.

The most recent draw before this one occurred on August 27, where 3,330 ITAs were issued for candidates in the Canadian Experience Class program.

IRCC's Pattern of Frequent Draws

In recent months, IRCC has consistently held multiple Express Entry draws every two weeks, often including at least one draw for PNP candidates. This aligns with IRCC's plan to increase opportunities for temporary residents in Canada to become permanent residents, focusing on "domestic" draws to manage the number of new temporary residents entering the country.

Key Express Entry Draw Results from 2024:

• September 9: PNP – 911 ITAs, CRS 732
• August 27: Canadian Experience Class – 3,300 ITAs, CRS 507
• August 26: PNP – 1,121 ITAs, CRS 694
• July 31: Canadian Experience Class – 5,000 ITAs, CRS 510

For a detailed list of results, check the full draw summary from 2024.

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is a system used by IRCC to manage applications for economic immigration programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades Program. It assigns CRS points based on factors like language skills, work experience, education, occupation, and age. The highest-ranking candidates receive ITAs.

PNP candidates in Express Entry also have the opportunity to be nominated by a province, which boosts their CRS score by 600 points, making it highly likely they will receive an ITA in future draws.

Category-Based Selection Draws

In 2023, IRCC introduced category-based draws to target candidates with specific in-demand skills, such as healthcare, STEM, and trades. These draws allow candidates to be invited based on their work experience, with CRS score requirements generally lower than those for program-specific draws.

The Six Key Categories for Selection:

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

These categories are reviewed annually to align with Canada's labor market needs and may change over time.