regularly conducts Express Entry draws to invite candidates for permanent residence under various immigration programs.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regularly conducts Express Entry draws to invite candidates for permanent residence under various immigration programs. On June 19, 2024, IRCC issued 1,499 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 663. This draw marks IRCC's return to its selection process after nearly three weeks.

•      Express Entry Overview:

o   Express Entry is IRCC's application management system for three economicclass immigration programs:

•    Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

•    Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

•    Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

o ITAs are issued through different types of draws: General, Program-specific, and Category-based.

•      General and Program-specific Draws:

o   These draws prioritize candidates based on their CRS scores, calculated from factors like age, education, and work experience.

o   Candidates must create an online profile and wait for IRCC to conduct draws where they may receive an ITA if their CRS score exceeds the cutoff.

•      Category-Based Draws:

o   Introduced in June 2023, these draws target candidates with specific work experience and proficiencies identified by IRCC as in-demand for Canada's economy.

o   Categories include healthcare, STEM fields, trades, transport, agriculture, and strong French language proficiency (NCLC score of 7 in reading, speaking, writing, and listening).

•      Importance of ITAs:

o   ITAs are essential for candidates to apply for Permanent Residence through IRCC's electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR) system.

IRCC's recent Express Entry draw underscores its commitment to selecting candidates who meet Canada's economic immigration needs. The system's flexibility through different draw types ensures that candidates with diverse skills and backgrounds have opportunities to contribute to Canada's workforce and society.