In an exciting development for aspiring immigrants, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 1,800 invitations to apply (ITAs) in a category-based Express Entry draw specifically for trade occupations. This marks the second Express Entry draw of the week, and candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 436 to be eligible.
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Today's draw is noteworthy as it is the first category-based selection draw since April 24 and the first draw for trade occupations since December 2023. According to an IRCC memo released last April, trade occupation draws will account for 5% of all ITAs in category-based selection draws this year.
IRCC's Draw Highlights
Earlier this week, on July 2, IRCC held another draw targeting candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). In that draw, 920 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 739 received invitations. This trend of program-specific draws started earlier this year and has seen IRCC holding four such draws since May 30, three of which were for PNP candidates.
What Are Program-Specific Draws?
Program-specific draws consider candidates in the Express Entry pool who have applied through an Express Entry program like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). For PNP-only draws, candidates must have been nominated through an Express Entry-aligned stream of a PNP, known as enhanced nomination.
Since January, IRCC has been working to stabilize the high levels of temporary residents in Canada. One strategy involves offering temporary residents more options to become permanent residents (PR), particularly those in Canada on work or study permits or visitor visas. Many temporary residents apply for PR through the CEC or PNP, allowing IRCC to meet its yearly target for "Federal High Skilled Workers" as outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan while reducing the number of temporary residents.
Summary of Express Entry Draw Results in 2024
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 4 | Trade occupations | 1,800 | 436 |
| July 2 | Provincial Nominee Program | 920 | 739 |
| June 19 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,499 | 663 |
| May 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 522 |
| 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 occupations | 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 |
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an application management system introduced in 2015 to target candidates with in-demand human capital attributes and process their applications faster. It oversees applications from the FSWP, FSTP, and CEC. The CRS used by Express Entry evaluates factors like age, work experience, occupation, language ability, and education to determine a candidate's eligibility. Higher CRS scores increase the likelihood of receiving an ITA.
What is Category-Based Selection?
Introduced in 2023, category-based selection draws allow IRCC to single out Express Entry candidates with in-demand attributes for Canada's workforce or to strengthen the national French-speaking demographic. The six possible categories include:
- Healthcare occupations
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- Trades occupations (e.g., carpenters, plumbers, contractors)
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
- French-language proficiency
Visa Solutions 4u: Your Pathway to Permanent Residency
Visa Solutions 4u can assist you in navigating the complex immigration process. Our services include:
- Free Express Entry assessments
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- Assistance with PNP applications
- Support for temporary residents transitioning to permanent residency
We are committed to helping you achieve your immigration goals and secure a successful future in Canada.
By leveraging our expertise, you can increase your chances of receiving an ITA in upcoming draws and make your dream of becoming a Canadian permanent resident a reality.
