Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has held its latest Express Entry draw, issuing 1,085 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This marks the third Express Entry draw of December 2024 and continues a noticeable uptick in invitation activity as the year winds down.
In the December 16 draw, candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 727 to receive an invitation. This high cutoff reflects the competitive nature of PNP-specific draws, which often include candidates who have already secured provincial nominations.
The December draw follows closely behind two other rounds earlier in the month—a PNP draw on December 2 and a category-based draw targeting French-speaking candidates on December 3. The French language draw invited 800 candidates with a CRS threshold of 466, while the earlier PNP draw extended 676 ITAs with a minimum score of 705.
IRCC appears to be maintaining a consistent strategy of alternating draw types, potentially aligning with its broader goals outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2027. This plan emphasizes an “in-Canada” focus, prioritizing candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Provincial Nominee Program, and other regional or occupation-based categories—often including French speakers, skilled tradespeople, and healthcare workers.
November saw six Express Entry draws resulting in 5,507 ITAs overall, with draws covering a wide range of categories including healthcare, trades, and Canadian Experience Class. This pattern, continuing into December, suggests IRCC’s sustained commitment to targeted immigration through category-based and occupation-specific draws.
By 2025, the in-Canada-focused category is projected to account for 82,980 permanent residency admissions—over 40% of Canada’s immigration plans for the year. This shift underscores the federal government’s emphasis on retaining temporary residents with Canadian work experience and integrating newcomers into regional economies through the PNP.
The upward trend in draw frequency and tailored selection strategies reflect Canada’s evolving approach to managing skilled immigration. As eligibility thresholds remain high, potential applicants are encouraged to align their profiles with the category-based draws to boost their chances.
Maple News will continue to follow the latest developments in Express Entry and Canada’s broader immigration framework as the new year approaches.