Express Entry ITAs in 2024 vs. 2023: A Year-to-Year Comparison

Canada’s Express Entry system has seen significant changes over the past two years, especially with the introduction of category-based selection draws in 2023. This new approach allows Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to target candidates based on the country’s economic and demographic needs, focusing on specific skills and language abilities rather than just Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores.

How Has Express Entry Changed?

The changes in Express Entry are part of IRCC's effort to align immigration with Canada’s labor market demands. But how have these adjustments impacted the number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued to candidates? Here’s a comparison of the draws held so far in 2024 with those in 2023.

ITAs Issued in 2024 vs. 2023

As of September 19, 2024, IRCC has issued 84,874 ITAs, compared to 81,948 ITAs by the same date in 2023. Despite issuing more ITAs in 2024, a deeper analysis is necessary to understand how the system has evolved.

What is Category-Based Selection?

Category-based selection draws are part of IRCC’s strategy to prioritize candidates based on specific attributes, such as professional experience in key sectors and language proficiency. The current categories are:

• Healthcare occupations
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) occupations
• Trade occupations
• Transport occupations
• Agriculture and agri-food occupations
• French language proficiency
  
  

Number of Draws: 2024 vs. 2023

So far in 2024, IRCC has held 37 draws across nine categories and streams, with an average draw size of 2,294 ITAs. In comparison, by the same time in 2023, 28 draws had been held across eight categories, with an average draw size of 2,927 ITAs. The increase in the number of draws in 2024 is partly due to a historic July, where nine draws were conducted in a single month—the highest since Express Entry began in 2015.

Most Active Categories in 2024 vs. 2023

The table below shows the number of draws and ITAs issued for each category/stream in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023:

Key Insights:

• CEC and PNP draws have increased significantly in 2024 compared to 2023, following remarks by the Immigration Minister on conducting more domestic draws.
• The French language proficiency category has grown in importance, with more draws in 2024 than in 2023, reflecting Canada’s goal to increase French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec.
  
  

CRS Cut-Off Scores: 2024 vs. 2023

Below is a comparison of the highest and lowest CRS cut-off scores for frequently selected categories in 2024 and 2023:

Overall, 2024 has seen a more targeted approach with category-based draws leading to increased invitations in specific streams. As IRCC continues to refine Express Entry, understanding these trends can help prospective immigrants align their profiles with Canada’s evolving economic needs.