Express Entry Draw: Canada Invited 3,574 Candidates for PR in 3 Draws

This week, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted three Express Entry draws, issuing a total of 3,574 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency. Below is a breakdown of these draws.

Healthcare Occupations Draw: November 20

The first healthcare-specific Express Entry draw since July was held by IRCC on November 20. Candidates having Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores of 463 or above received 3,000 ITAs in this draw.

Invited Healthcare Occupations

Occupation	2021 NOC code
Audiologists and speech language pathologists	31112
Chiropractors	31201
Dentists	31110
Dieticians and nutritionists	31121
Education counsellors	41320
General practitioners and family physicians	31102
Instructors of persons with disabilities	42203
Kinesiologists and other professional occupation in therapy and assessment	31204
Licensed practical nurses	32101
Massage therapists	32201
Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations	33101
Medical laboratory technologists	32120
Medical radiation technologists	32121
Medical sonographers	32122
Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates	33102
Nurse practitioners	31302
Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors	31300
Occupational therapists	31203
Optometrists	31111
Other assisting occupations in support of health services	33109
Other practitioners of natural healing	32209
Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating	31209
Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment	32109
Paramedical occupations	32102
Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants	33103
Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals	31303
Physiotherapists	31202
Psychologists	31200
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses	31301
Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists	32103
Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine	31100
Specialists in surgery	31101
Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies	41301
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists	32200
Veterinarians	31103

Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Draw: November 19

A day earlier, on November 19, IRCC invited 400 candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category. These applicants required a CRS score of at least 547 to qualify.

This CRS cutoff is an eight-point increase compared to the previous CEC-specific draw held on October 22.

Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) Draw: November 18

On November 18, IRCC granted 174 ITAs to candidates for the Provincial Nominee Program. These candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 816 and a provincial nomination to be eligible for this round.

Summary

The three draws demonstrate IRCC’s efforts to meet the needs of Canada’s immigration programs, focusing on healthcare professionals, CEC applicants, and PNP candidates. These initiatives reflect a tailored approach to addressing specific economic and regional requirements.

Compared to the PNP-only invitation round on November 12, 2024, the CRS cutoff score rose by 4 points.

Details of This Week’s Express Entry Draws

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted three Express Entry draws this week, issuing a total of 3,574 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across different categories. Below is an overview of each draw:

Category	November 20	November 19	November 18
Targeted Group	35 Healthcare Occupations	Canadian Experience Class (CEC)	Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Invitations Issued	3,000	400	174
CRS Cutoff Score	463	539	816
Tie-Breaking Rule	October 21, 2024, 16:12:39 UTC	July 8, 2024, 01:41:37 UTC	August 28, 2024, 05:12:34 UTC

How Do Express Entry Draws Work?

The Express Entry system is Canada’s primary pathway for processing skilled workers’ applications for permanent residency. It is designed to select candidates based on their qualifications and their potential to contribute to the Canadian economy. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Creating an Online Profile

Candidates begin by creating an online profile in the Express Entry system. They provide detailed information about their:

1. Education
2. Work experience
3. Language proficiency (English and/or French)
4. Other personal and professional details

Step 2: Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)

Once the profile is submitted, the system assigns a score using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The score is based on factors such as:

1. Age
2. Educational qualifications
3. Work experience (both in Canada and abroad)
4. Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF)
5. Other factors like job offers, provincial nominations, or spouse’s credentials

Step 3: Draws and Invitations to Apply (ITAs)

Regular Express Entry draws are conducted by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). In these draws:

1. The highest-scoring candidates in the CRS pool are selected.
2. Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency are sent to eligible candidates.
3. The CRS cutoff score varies for each draw based on the number of ITAs issued and the profiles in the pool.

Step 4: Meeting Program Requirements

To be eligible for Express Entry, candidates must qualify under one of the following federal economic immigration programs:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Step 5: Submitting an Application

After receiving an ITA, individuals must file a full application for permanent residency within 60 days. IRCC reviews the application, verifies documents, and makes a final decision.

Key Features of Express Entry

1. Efficient Processing: Applications are typically processed within 6 months.
2. Tailored Draws: Some draws target specific occupations, categories (e.g., healthcare or tech), or provincial nominations.
3. Opportunities for Provincial Nomination: Candidates with a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination receive an additional 600 CRS points, almost guaranteeing an ITA.

The Express Entry system ensures that Canada attracts the best global talent to meet its labor market and economic needs.