Introduction 

Invitations to apply (ITAs) for the latest Express Entry draw have been sent out by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). In a draw that took into account applicants through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the government sent out 400 ITAs. To be eligible, candidates had to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 539.The Express Entry system in Canada kept up its speed in October 2024 by sending Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to applicants for permanent residence. With an emphasis on province nominees and specific occupations, the drawings were carefully matched with Canada’s economic requirements.

Total ITAs issued in October 2024

In October, there were still a lot of ITAs overall, with several drawings in various categories. Highlights consist of:

• On October 10, 2024, 3,725 applicants with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 500 were invited to a general “no program specified” draw.
• October 24, 2024: 1,548 ITAs with a noticeably higher minimum CRS score of 776 were issued in a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw.
• Prior to this, on October 21, 2024, 648 invitations to permanent residency were sent to profiles with a CRS score of 791 or higher and a provincial nomination.
• Additionally, on October 7, 9, and 10, 3,113 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residency were sent out.

Category Specific Express Entry Draws 

Additionally, October featured category-specific draws aimed at highly trained workers in industries with strong demand, like:

• Healthcare: In response to Canada’s growing demand for personnel in this sector, a number of draws have targeted healthcare professionals.
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics): Canada’s emphasis on creating a knowledge-based economy was furthered by inviting STEM personnel through targeted draws.
• French-speaking Candidates: For many candidates, being able to speak French was still a crucial selection factor, encouraging bilingualism and alleviating shortages in French-speaking areas outside of Quebec.

The IRCC has decreased the frequency of category-based selection draws in recent months, and since a draw for candidates in healthcare occupations on July 5, there hasn’t been a category-based selection draw for any other category beyond French language competency.

On the other hand, since July, the IRCC has issued 21,800 ITAs to candidates for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), which has become more frequent throughout the summer. This is consistent with the IRCC’s declared goal of lowering the number of temporary residents in Canada and increasing the number of “domestic” draws. Additionally, this plan seeks to assist the department in achieving its annual goals for permanent residents.

CRS Score Trends in Express Entry Draws 2024

The October CRS score thresholds demonstrated the Express Entry system’s continued competitiveness. High CRS cut-offs were a recurring element of Provincial Nominee Program drawings; the October 24 draw required a minimum score of 776. However, the October 10 “no program specified” draw had a more approachable CRS barrier of 500.

Summary 

Canada’s Express Entry system issued a wide variety of ITAs in October 2024, with a focus on both broad and tailored strategies. Express Entry continues to offer a wide range of opportunities, regardless of your background—healthcare worker, STEM professional, or candidate who speaks French. To increase your chances of getting an ITA, continue to track CRS trends and look for patterns.