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IRCC has announced the first Express Entry draw for May 2024, issuing 2,985 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residency.
Only applicants having a provincial nomination and a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 676 or higher were considered for this draw.
Express Entry Draw Details
- Category: Provincial Nominee Program
- Number of invitations issued: 2,985
- Minimum rank to receive an invitation: 2,985 or higher
- Date and time of draw: May 30, 2024, at 14:59:31 UTC
- CRS score of the lowest-ranked invited candidate: 676
- Tie-breaking rule: January 19, 2024, at 18:32:21 UTC
Introduction of Program-Specific Express Entry Draws
Since the start of category-based selection draws in June 2023, this was the first Express Entry draw that was specifically for a program. These draws focus solely on candidates in the Express Entry pool who have applied through a specific permanent residency program, unlike general draws that consider applicants from all programs.
Today’s draw is the first since April 24, following a month-long hiatus. IRCC has not explained the reason for the pause. However, according to a recent Access to Information Request, all draws this year are planned according to a predetermined schedule, which has not been made public. The size and frequency of the draws will depend on admission targets for 2024 and 2025, and processing capacity may also affect how often draws occur.
April Draws Overview
Before the break, there were four draws in April:
- April 10: In the first draw of April, 1,280 candidates were invited in a general category.
- April 11: The next day, IRCC issued 4,500 ITAs to Express Entry candidates in a category-based selection draw for STEM occupations.
- April 23: IRCC invited 2,095 candidates in a general draw.
- April 24: 1,400 candidates were invited in a category-based selection draw for French proficiency.
Focus on French Proficiency in 2024
The latest request for information also showed that in 2024, Canada plans to prioritize French proficiency for category-based selection draws. IRCC attributes this to the high employment rates for bilingual candidates and notes that French-speaking candidates usually have higher CRS scores, enhancing their chances of successful economic integration.
Distribution of ITAs by Category
In 2024, the distribution of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in category-based draws is planned as follows:
- STEM Occupations: 25% of all ITAs
- Healthcare Occupations: 15% of all ITAs
- Transport, Trades, and Agriculture and Agri-Food: 5% or less of all ITAs
General Draws and Program-Specific Draws
The rest of the Invitations to Apply (ITAs), which make up 21.5%, will be given out in general draws. Notably, no mention was made of program-specific draws in the recent Access to Information Request.
Summary of Express Entry Draw Results in 2024
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 2,985 | 676 |
| April 24 | French Proficiency | 1,400 | 410 |
| April 23 | General | 2,095 | 529 |
| April 11 | STEM Occupations | 4,500 | 491 |
| April 10 | General | 1,280 | 549 |
| March 26 | French Language Proficiency | 1,500 | 388 |
| March 25 | General | 1,980 | 524 |
| March 13 | Transport Occupations | 975 | 430 |
| March 12 | General | 2,850 | 525 |
| February 29 | French Language Proficiency | 2,500 | 336 |
| February 28 | General | 1,470 | 534 |
| February 16 | Agriculture and Agri-food | 150 | 437 |
| February 14 | Healthcare Occupations | 3,500 | 422 |
| February 13 | General | 1,490 | 535 |
| February 1 | French Language Proficiency | 7,000 | 365 |
| January 31 | General | 730 | 541 |
| January 23 | General | 1,040 | 543 |
| January 10 | General | 1,510 | 546 |