Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 5,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in its latest Express Entry draw, targeting candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 510 to qualify.
This CEC-only draw, held on July 31, marks the ninth Express Entry round in a notably active month. In total, 25,125 ITAs have been issued throughout July across various program- and category-based draws. The high activity aligns with IRCC’s renewed focus on domestic immigration candidates, particularly those who already live and work in Canada.
Over the course of the month, IRCC has alternated between program-specific draws, such as for the CEC and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and category-based draws. The latter have primarily targeted French-speaking candidates, healthcare professionals, and tradespeople. Notably, two French proficiency draws alone accounted for 5,000 ITAs, while healthcare-related draws added another 3,750 ITAs, and trade occupations received 1,800 invites.
Since the resumption of program-specific draws on May 30 — following a year-long pause — IRCC has issued 11,300 ITAs to Canadian Experience Class applicants and 3,275 to PNP candidates. This shift reflects Canada’s strategy to transition temporary residents into permanent status in response to evolving demographic and economic needs.
In a broader context, these targeted measures are part of Canada’s 2024 immigration strategy, which aims to regulate the country’s temporary resident population while fulfilling permanent residency targets outlined in the current Immigration Levels Plan. By focusing on candidates already contributing to the Canadian labour market, IRCC seeks to streamline integration and address skill gaps effectively.
July’s activity further indicates a flexible and demand-driven immigration system. High CRS thresholds for CEC and PNP applicants suggest that competition remains intense, underscoring the need for candidates to strengthen their profiles, such as through additional Canadian work experience or language proficiency.
As of now, Express Entry draws continue to reflect Canada’s multi-stream approach—balancing innovation with regional and sectoral needs—and positioning immigration as a key lever for economic growth.
Maple News will continue monitoring and reporting on Canada’s evolving immigration trends and Express Entry developments.