Results of Canada’s Express entry Draw from January 31, 2024

In IRCC’s first Express Entry draw this week, Canada’s immigration department has issued 730 more Invitations to apply (ITAs) today in an all-program draw for eligible candidates from any of the three Express-Entry managed programs. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of all candidates who received an ITA in today’s draw was 541.

Note: This is a developing article that will be updated if IRCC conducts any additional Express Entry drawings this week.

Express Entry

Express Entry is the name that IRCC has given to the application management system Canada uses to manage immigration applications from any of the following three economic-class permanent residence programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program(FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program(FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Since June 2023, Canada has conducted a second type of Express Entry draw in addition to so-called “standard” Express Entry draws. This new type of drawing is called a Draw categories-based and it differs from standard draws because it is more intently focused on helping the Canadian government address specific labour market challenges (more on that later).

Standard Express Entry Draws

“Standard” Express Entry draws focus on ranking eligible candidates by an objective value assigned to them based on several human capital factors. This score, known as their CRS score, is what determines who will receive an ITA in a given Express Entry draw.

To be considered for an ITA through a standard Express Entry draw, candidates must follow the following steps: 

1. Self-assess your eligibility for the three Express Entry programs
2. If eligible, create an online profile with IRCC and formally enter the Express Entry candidate “pool”
3. Receive their CRS score and await the next Express Entry draw* from IRCC

*Only candidates who have CRS scores higher than the cut-off point for that Express Entry draw are eligible to receive ITAs. 

Note: Receiving an ITAs is the only way that Canadian immigration candidates can apply for permanent residence

Category-BasedDraws for Express Entry

On the other hand, category-based draws help Canada bring in more foreign skilled workers, but in a manner that focuses on foreign nationals who have work experience or proficiencies that IRCC has designated as a key area of need. IRCC has designated six categories as areas of focus in its category-based draws.

Express Entry applicants with work experience in the following five fields:

• Healthcare
• STEM (Science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers
• Trades such as plumbers, carpenters and contractors
• Transport
• Agriculture and agrifood

IRCC also stated that they will give priority to candidates who have a strong French language ability through these draws.

However, IRCC has noted that, while it is currently prioritizing the above candidates for immigration through category-based draws, the department is also allowing itself the opportunity to conduct an annual review of these categories and adjust accordingly if deemed necessary.

Fill out our FREE Assessment Form to determine if you qualify to immigrate Canada