Maple News reports that Canada’s Express Entry system is continuing to evolve in 2024, with regular Invitation to Apply (ITA) rounds issued across all three federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Understanding the composition of the Express Entry candidate pool is becoming increasingly critical for aspiring immigrants. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) – the scoring mechanism used to rank candidates – is influenced not only by individual candidates’ profiles but also by the distribution of those profiles within the pool.
The CRS cut-off scores in each draw can shift dramatically based on the current pool’s makeup. For instance, a spike in candidates from the CEC category can raise average CRS scores across the board, as this group often benefits from higher points due to Canadian work experience and qualifications. Conversely, draw sizes—the number of invitations issued—also directly affect the competitiveness of the CRS cut-off; larger draws may reduce the cut-off threshold, while smaller or targeted draws can raise it.
Another key factor shaping Express Entry outcomes is the use of category-based selection, a strategy implemented in 2023 and continuing through 2024. These targeted draws aim to address Canada’s workforce demands and demographic goals more precisely. The six in-demand categories in 2024 remain: Healthcare, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), Skilled Trades, Transport, Agriculture and Agri-Food, and French language proficiency.
In these draws, candidates with qualifying professional experience or language proficiency in designated categories may receive an ITA regardless of their CRS score, offering new opportunities to skilled professionals who may not score highly under traditional metrics.
Finally, Express Entry draw sizes and frequency are shaped by Canada’s annual Immigration Levels Plan—a strategic document that outlines immigration targets by category over a three-year period. For 2024, the plan emphasizes economic immigration, including Express Entry programs, in line with Canada’s longer-term demographic and economic growth priorities.
For potential immigrants, staying informed about these dynamics can provide a strategic advantage. As Maple News highlights, understanding pool distributions, category-based selection criteria, and immigration targets helps applicants maximize their Express Entry potential and better prepare for upcoming draws.