The Canadian immigration landscape is abuzz with the latest developments in the Express Entry system, with not just one, but two draws taking place this week.
These Express Entry draws have collectively sent out 3,970 invitations to apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent residency (PR), reflecting the country’s ongoing efforts to attract skilled individuals from around the world.
Jump to:
February 29, 2024: Francophone Draw
IRCC held the second Express Entry draw of the week on February 29th. IRCC sent out 2,500 invitations to apply for PR in a ‘French language proficiency’ draw focused on those who are proficient in French.
The minimum CRS score required is 336.
February 28, 2024: General Draw
On February 28th, the Express Entry draw by IRCC sent 1,470 invitations for permanent residency in a general draw. The minimum CRS score required was 534.
The CRS score decreased by 1 point as compared to the draw on February 13.
Summary of Express Entry Draws
| Description | February 29, 2024 | February 28, 2024 |
| Draw type | French Language Proficiency | General or All Program |
| Invitations | 2,500 | 1,470 |
| CRS Cutoff | 336 | 534 |
| Tie-breaking rule | January 18, 2024, at 09:15:46 UTC | January 16, 2024, at 03:51:05 UTC |
The occurrence of two draws in a single week highlights the dynamic nature of the Express Entry system and the ongoing demand for skilled workers in Canada.
The tie-breaking mechanism ensures that candidates with similar CRS scores are selected based on the timing of their profile submissions, maintaining fairness in the selection process.
CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of February 27, 2024
The distribution of CRS scores in the Express Entry pool reflects the competitiveness of the system, with candidates ranging from various score ranges.
Express Entry Draws in 2024
| Date | Draw Type | Number of ITAs | Minimum CRS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Express Entry?
Express Entry is a comprehensive application management system that encompasses three major economic immigration programs:
Candidates are evaluated based on various human capital variables, including work experience, language proficiency, education, age, and occupation.
As Canada continues to welcome skilled immigrants through Express Entry, the system remains a beacon for those seeking to make Canada their permanent home. The latest draws signal opportunities for skilled individuals to contribute to Canada’s diverse and thriving communities, reinforcing the country’s commitment to attracting talent from around the world.
