Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 150 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in its third Express Entry draw of the week. Held on February 16, this particular draw focused on candidates with experience in agriculture and agri-food occupations. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required was 437.
This marks the third Express Entry draw within just four days, reflecting IRCC’s aggressive pace in 2024. Earlier in the week, on February 13, a general draw issued 1,490 invitations to candidates with a minimum CRS score of 535. Following that, on February 14, 3,500 healthcare professionals were invited in another category-based draw, this time for healthcare occupations, with a CRS cut-off of 422.
These recent draws highlight IRCC’s continued efforts under the category-based selection stream introduced in 2023. This system allows the department to target candidates with specific professional expertise or language proficiency. Along with French language proficiency, selected occupational categories include healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, and agriculture.
The month kicked off with a major draw on February 1 that targeted French-speaking applicants. In that round, 7,000 candidates received ITAs — the highest single-draw total for 2024 so far — with a minimum CRS score of 365.
Looking at the year to date, IRCC has already held multiple draws across various categories. In January alone, general draws invited over 3,200 candidates, with CRS scores ranging between 541 and 546. The frequent issuance of ITAs in category-based rounds demonstrates the government’s commitment to meeting specific labor market needs while maintaining overall immigration goals.
Introduced in May 2023, the category-based selection system aims to make Canada’s skilled immigration pathways more responsive. It ensures the country attracts top talent aligned with ongoing gaps in foundational sectors including healthcare, technology, trades, agriculture, and more.
Overall, Canada’s dynamic and targeted approach to immigration through Express Entry is helping strengthen its economy and labor market resilience by welcoming highly skilled professionals from around the world.