Canada Express Entry Draws in 2024: Year-End Recap

Surya Rathee
[Published 03 Jan, 2025 | 04:53 AM]
About Author - 5 min read
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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted back-to-back Express Entry draws in 2024. The department invited a total of 98, 903 candidates to apply for Canada PR across 52 draws.

From January to April 2024, IRCC conducted General Express Entry draws, considering all candidates in the pool, along with category-specific draws. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off scores and the number of draws varied across programs and categories.

In May, IRCC shifted its focus to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and those with French language skills. This trend has continued throughout the rest of the year.

Type of Draws

• 9 All-program draws
• 19 Category-based selection draws
• 14 Provincial Nominee Program-only draws
• 10 Canadian Experience Class draws

Surprisingly, no invitations were given specifically to Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) candidates throughout the year. They were however invited across General draws and Category-based Express Entry draws.

CRS Score Range

Recent IRCC data shows that ITAs in 2024 were issued to:

• 63,369 candidates with CRS scores ranging between 451 and 500.
• 19,885 candidates with CRS scores ranging between 501 and 600.
• 1,203 candidates with CRS scores ranging between 601 and 1200.

In 2024, IRCC issued 11,463 fewer Invitations to Apply (ITAs) than in 2023, even though the immigration targets for the Express Entry Program increased by 27,890 admissions.

The higher number of candidates in 2024 led to significant changes in CRS cut-off scores, which were higher compared to 2023. Changes in terminology and shifting program priorities also made Express Entry draws and cut-off scores in 2024 noticeably different from the previous year.

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Express Entry Projections In 2025

Express Entry Program in 2025 will be shaped by significant policy changes and shifting immigration priorities introduced in 2024.

Removal of CRS points for job offer

One key change is the removal of CRS points for valid job offers, announced by Immigration Minister Marc Miller in December 2024. Set to take effect in spring 2025, this temporary measure means candidates will no longer receive 50 or 200 points for job offers that meet specific requirements under programs like the CEC, FSWP, and FSTP. This change could lower CRS scores across the Express Entry pool - though its full impact on cut-off scores remains uncertain.

Revised Canada Immigration Levels Plan

Another trend is the revised Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027, which increases federal admissions targets for the “Federal High-Skilled” category from 107,770 in 2024 to 124,590 in 2025. This category is split into two subcategories:

• In-Canada Focus: The In-Canada Focus category, comprising 66% of federal allocations, prioritizes candidates within Canada, including those in the CEC, Express Entry-aligned PNPs, and other federal programs.

• Federal Economic Priorities: The Federal Economic Priorities category targets candidates with specific skills, training, or language abilities to address labour market needs.

In 2025, healthcare, trade occupations, and French proficiency will be prioritized. While agriculture, STEM, and transport roles were prioritized in 2024, they are not included in the 2025 plan.

Finally, French proficiency draws will remain significant, reflecting IRCC’s commitment to francophone immigration. IRCC plans to allocate 7% of total 2025 immigration levels to francophone candidates outside Quebec, ensuring their steady inclusion in the Express Entry system.

These trends emphasize a shift toward skills-based and in-Canada candidates, reshaping the dynamics of the Express Entry Program in 2025. 

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Read More: IRCC removes CRS points for job offers

Source: canada.ca