Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 3,300 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in its latest Express Entry draw, held exclusively for applicants under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program. Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 507 to be considered in this round.
This marks the second draw of the week, following an earlier Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-only draw that issued 1,121 ITAs to candidates with a minimum CRS score of 694. The back-to-back draws reflect IRCC’s current trend of conducting multiple targeted selections within a single week.
The return to frequent CEC and PNP draws aligns with IRCC’s shift in focus toward prioritizing candidates already in Canada. This domestic-first strategy supports efforts to convert more temporary residents into permanent ones and aims to ease growing housing and integration pressures.
IRCC’s approach is also fitting into Canada’s broader Immigration Levels Plan for 2024–2026. The department aims to welcome 110,770 new permanent residents through Express Entry in 2024 and ramp up that number to 117,500 in 2025. Given Express Entry’s six-month processing standard, applicants invited now, particularly those in late 2024, are likely to be pivotal in reaching next year’s goals.
In recent months, Express Entry draws have become more diversified, including invites based on category-based selection — such as candidates with French language proficiency or work experience in healthcare, STEM, or skilled trades. This strategy ensures alignment between immigration intake and Canada’s evolving labour market needs.
A notable draw on August 14, for example, invited 3,200 Canadian Experience Class candidates with a slightly higher CRS threshold of 509. Meanwhile, a draw on August 15 focused on French-speaking candidates, issuing 2,000 ITAs with a minimum score of just 394.
Express Entry is Canada’s main application management system for economic immigration. It oversees three key programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Candidates are ranked through the CRS, which evaluates factors such as age, work experience, education, language proficiency, and whether they have ties to Canada.
As Maple News continues to monitor Canada’s evolving immigration practices, the latest Express Entry patterns show a strong emphasis on selecting skilled individuals already contributing to Canadian society, thereby supporting a smoother transition to permanent residency.