November 2024: Current Insights into the Express Entry Pool

After a period of reduced activity in September, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) picked up the pace in October, holding more frequent Express Entry draws for federal immigration candidates. Among these, IRCC also conducted the second draw for trade occupations of 2024, the first since July. Let’s look at the recent draws in October and review the current state of the Express Entry candidate pool as of November.

October's Express Entry Draws Overview In October, IRCC held six Express Entry draws across four streams, issuing a total of 5,961 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. This aligns closely with the 5,911 ITAs issued in September. However, with more draws conducted, the size of each draw was slightly smaller than those in September, resulting in higher Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off scores. Here's a summary of the October draws:

IRCC continues its pattern of inviting candidates from key categories—Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and French-language proficiency—demonstrating a commitment to these groups in the 2024 Immigration Levels Plan.

Monthly Trends in ITAs The number of ITAs in October was slightly higher than in September, though significantly lower than the totals seen in previous months. Here’s a look at recent ITA numbers:

Express Entry Pool Breakdown: November 2024 As of October 22, here is a snapshot of the current distribution of CRS scores within the Express Entry pool:

How Do Scores Compare in the Pool? The distribution of scores provides insights into the competitiveness within the pool. The following table shows percentile rankings for each CRS range, giving a clearer picture of where candidates stand:

This overview offers valuable insights into the current Express Entry pool, helping candidates understand the competitiveness of their CRS scores as they strive for Canadian permanent residence.