The first Express Entry draw of July 2024
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued invitations to apply (ITAs) in the latest Express Entry draw.
In this Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw, 920 ITAs were issued.
Candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 739 to qualify.
Today’s draw follows three program-specific draws in the past month. On June 19, IRCC invited 1,499 candidates in another PNP-only draw, requiring a minimum CRS score of 663.
Additionally, a PNP-only draw on May 30 invited 2,985 Express Entry candidates. This was the first program-specific draw since May 10, 2023. Another draw on May 31 invited 3,000 candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Program-specific draws consider only those in the Express Entry pool who have applied through programs like the CEC, Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), or Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). PNP-only draws consider candidates nominated through an Express Entry aligned PNP stream, known as enhanced nomination.
This type of draw had not occurred since the introduction of category-based selection draws in May 2023. However, since January this year, IRCC has aimed to stabilize the high levels of temporary residents in Canada. One approach is to offer temporary residents, such as those on work or study permits or visitor visas, more pathways to permanent residency (PR).
Many temporary residents who apply for PR, and are already living in Canada or have Canadian experience, apply through the CEC. The same is true for PNP candidates. This enables IRCC to meet its yearly target for “Federal High Skilled Workers” (Express Entry) as outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan, while also reducing the number of temporary residents in Canada.