Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has invited 1,040 candidates in its latest Express Entry draw, held on January 23, 2024. The draw was classified as a general round of invitations, considering candidates from all programs managed within the Express Entry system. To qualify, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 543.
This draw follows the first one of the year on January 10, where 1,510 invitations were issued to candidates with a minimum CRS of 546. The marginal drop in the CRS score for the second draw signals IRCC’s continued efforts to balance between high-skilled talent demand and the immigration targets set forth for the coming years.
Throughout December 2023, IRCC ramped up activity by conducting seven Express Entry draws, an unusually high number within a single month. These included both general draws and targeted category-based draws aimed at candidates with expertise in industries such as healthcare, STEM, trades, and agri-food, as well as those with strong French-language proficiency.
Looking ahead, IRCC’s 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan outlines an ambitious goal: admitting 110,770 new permanent residents through Express Entry this year alone, with even higher targets for 2025. Since Express Entry applications can take up to six months to be processed, a significant portion of the invitations for 2025 admissions will likely be issued in 2024 to meet timelines.
In 2023, Canada conducted a total of 42 Express Entry draws. Of these, 19 were general draws, while 17 were category-specific, introduced in mid-2023 to align with labor market needs. An additional five draws considered only candidates nominated through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and one focused on Federal Skilled Worker candidates.
Although past trends helped candidates anticipate draw frequency and score thresholds, IRCC has moved towards a more flexible and unpredictable pattern. As a result, forecasting future CRS cut-offs or draw types has become increasingly difficult.
Despite the uncertainty, Express Entry remains one of Canada’s most prominent pathways for skilled workers looking to obtain permanent residency. With ongoing labor market shifts and evolving policy direction, IRCC is expected to further refine selection criteria to better align with national priorities.
Maple News will continue to monitor developments in Express Entry and provide timely updates on new draws, CRS trends, and eligibility insights.