Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued invitations to candidates in the third Express Entry draw of the month.
The department issued 1,980 invitations to apply (ITAs) in a general draw.
Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 524.
Today’s draw follows two Express Entry draws on March 12 and 13. The March 12 draw was general and ITAs were issued to 2,850 candidates with a minimum CRS of 525. It was the lowest general draw score of the year until today.
This score represented a drop of nine points from the last general draw on February 28 and a 21 point drop from the first general draw on 2024 on January 10 (546). IRCC considers candidates from all programs and categories in a general draw.
The March 13 draw was a category-based selection draw for Express Entry candidates in transport occupations. Candidates needed a minimum CRS of 430 to be considered. It was the first such draw since December 20, 2023.
Since the introduction of category-based selection draws, IRCC has invited 2,645 candidates in transport occupations.
Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024
Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS
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 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 category-based selection?
Category-based selection draws were introduced in May 2023, as a means for IRCC to identify Express Entry candidates with the in-demand skills and attributes and issue ITAs.
The department created six categories that will remain in place throughout 2024. They are:
- Healthcare occupations
- Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
- Trades occupations, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
- Strong French proficiency
The categories reflect many of Canada’s acute labour shortages as well as IRCC’s mandate to promote the French language outside of Quebec. French-speaking candidates have received the highest number of ITAs since the categories were introduced.
