IRCC ‘s latest Draw invited 7000 applicants in French Language category 

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted an Express Entry draw  for candidates with French language proficiency on February 1, 2024. In this draw a total of 7,000 candidates were invited to apply for permanent residency in Canada. This particular draw was unique as it focused on candidates with French language proficiency, making it a category-based selection draw. To be eligible for an invitation, candidates needed to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 365, marking the lowest minimum CRS score required for an invitation throughout the year.

The Key Highlights of The Draw –

•    ITA – 7000
•    CRS Score – 365 

Summary of the Category Based Draw – French 

This draw comes as the second of the week, with the previous one occurring on January 31, 2024, in which 730 candidates received invitations in a general draw. The candidates in that draw were required to have a higher minimum CRS score of 541. Earlier in January, there were two additional draws: one on January 23, inviting 1,040 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 543, and another on January 10, inviting 1,510 candidates with a CRS score of 546.

The direction of Express Entry draws in 2024 remains uncertain, and it is too early to predict how they will unfold. In the previous year, 2023, IRCC conducted 42 draws and issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to over 110,000 candidates. These efforts aimed to meet the admission targets set for both 2023 and 2024 in the Immigration Levels Plan.

Summary of the Express Entry Draws in 2024

One noteworthy development in the immigration landscape is the changes made to the eligibility criteria for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs). Many Express Entry candidates gain the necessary work experience in Canada by working in the country after graduating from a Canadian post-secondary institution. The most common work permit for these new graduates is the PGWP.

As of September 1, 2024, international students in programs at private colleges that have a curriculum licensing agreement with a public college will no longer be eligible for a PGWP. Additionally, graduate-level students in programs shorter than the previously required eight months will now be eligible for a three-year PGWP, which was not the case before. This change is significant as it allows more graduate-level students to gain the necessary work experience in Canada to qualify for the Express Entry application pool.

What is the Express Entry Draw?

The Express Entry system is a crucial aspect of Canada's economic immigration programs, overseeing applications from three primary streams: 

• The Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), 
• The Canadian Experience Class (CEC), 
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). 

Candidates in these programs are assigned a score using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which takes into account various factors such as work experience, education, age, occupation, and language ability.

In May 2023, IRCC introduced category-based selection draws for Express Entry candidates who could demonstrate work experience in in-demand occupations. 

These categories include

• Candidates with strong French-language proficiency, 
• Healthcare occupations
• STEM professions
• Trades occupations
• Transport occupations
• Agriculture and agri-food occupations.

The process of applying for Express Entry is a multi-step journey.

• Applicants must assess their eligibility for one of the three Express Entry programs, each with its own specific criteria. 
• Creating a profile in the Express Entry pool and obtaining a CRS score.
• Candidates must await an invitation to apply in an Express Entry draw.

Upon receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), candidates have 60 days to gather their required documents and submit their final application for permanent residence to IRCC. This draw highlights Canada's commitment to attracting candidates with strong language skills and work experience, further enriching the country's diverse talent pool.