IRCC Invites 648 Candidates in Latest PNP Focused Express Entry Draw

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada recently held a new round of invitations to apply through the Express Entry system.

During the most recent draw, 648 of them were issued strictly to applicants of the Provincial Nominee Program. In order to be eligible, candidates must have had at least a minimum score of 791 on the CRS.

This was the second PNP-only draw of October, after a draw on October 7, which resulted in invitations for 1,613 applicants, and the minimum CRS score requirement had been 743.

In the last few months, IRCC had grown a pattern on holding multiple Express Entry draws including at least one draw targeting PNP candidates each cycle. Since May 30, 12,815 ITAs have been issued under the PNP-only draws and that further emphasizes.

IRCC’s continued pattern of continuing to focus on Canada temporary residents as eligible candidates. This can be said to complement the department’s efforts of reducing temporary residents as well as complementing the Immigration Levels Plan of permanent residency targets.

The new plan, outlining goals for 2025-2027, will be released before November 1. The 2024 plan had a goal of admitting 110,770 permanent residents. It is not yet clear whether the IRCC has met this number. Those who are awarded ITAs in draws occurring later in 2024 will be more likely to be admitted in 2025 since applications submitted in Express Entry can take six months to process.

Latest Draw Details

• Draw Date: October 21, 2024
• Draw Type: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
• Number of Invitation Issued: 648
• Minimum CRS Requirement: 791

Express Entry Draws List

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is an admissions program of the Government of Canada for managing applications for permanent residence through three programs: 

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

It ranks candidates based on age, education, work experience, language skills, and occupation through a Comprehensive Ranking System. In this manner, it aspires to fill essential gaps within the labor market in Canada.

A provincial nomination simply adds 600 CRS points to the candidate’s score. It therefore tends to help build a high chance for an ITA. Factors that include those who may be applying with a spouse or partner or other relation in Canada tend to help get a good score. The highest scoring candidates in the CRS are invited, in subsequent draws for Express Entry.