December 2024: Insights into the Express Entry Pool

As we step into December 2024, the Express Entry pool remains dynamic, with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continuing its steady pace of draws. Following the first December draw for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, here’s an overview of the trends shaping Express Entry and a detailed look at the pool's current composition.

Patterns in Recent Express Entry Draws

IRCC’s activity over the last two months highlights its focus on candidates in the PNP, Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and category-based selections.

Highlights from November

• Six draws were held, issuing 5,507 Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
• Two draws each targeted PNP, CEC, and category-based candidates.
• The largest draw of the month invited 3,000 healthcare occupation candidates, marking the first healthcare-specific draw since July.
• 69% of ITAs went to healthcare and French language proficiency candidates.
  
  

While category-based draws dominated, smaller PNP and CEC draws resulted in higher CRS score cut-offs compared to earlier months.

November 2024 Draw Breakdown

This emphasis aligns with IRCC’s Immigration Levels Plan, which targets candidates under two main categories:

1. "In-Canada Focus": Prioritizing PNP and CEC candidates, with room for Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) applicants.
2. "Federal Economic Priorities": Focused on category-based candidates with specific work experience or language skills.
   
   

Key target areas include:

• Healthcare occupations
• Trades occupations
• French language proficiency
  
  

Monthly ITA Trends

IRCC has issued between 5,000 and 6,000 ITAs each month over the last three months, maintaining a consistent invitation rate:

Current Composition of the Express Entry Pool

As of December 1, 2024, the Express Entry pool consists of 218,490 candidates, distributed across CRS score ranges:

How CRS Scores Rank Against the Pool

The percentile breakdown below shows how candidates’ CRS scores rank relative to the total pool:

Looking Ahead

With consistent patterns in PNP, CEC, and category-based selections, IRCC’s draws are expected to continue prioritizing healthcare, trades, and French-speaking candidates. Staying updated on the Express Entry pool’s state and CRS trends is crucial for applicants aiming to secure an ITA.