Comparing the Number of ITAs awarded in Canada in 2024 Vs. 2023
Canada’s Express Entry system has undergone notable transformations in the last two years.
In 2023, the IRCC introduced category-based selection draws as part of the Express Entry system. This approach enables the immigration department to concentrate on applicants who correspond with the nation’s economic and demographic priorities.
Have these changes influenced the way the Express Entry system selects candidates? The following are the Express Entry draws for the years 2023 and 2024. Although the IRCC has provided a greater number of ITAs this year compared to last, a deeper examination of the data remains essential.
An Overview of Category-Based Selection Draw
The IRCC utilizes a strategy called category-based selection draws within Canada’s Express Entry system to pinpoint immigration applicants. This method enables the IRCC to focus on candidates according to particular human capital traits, including language skills and work experience, instead of depending exclusively on their CRS scores.
The Express Entry categories presently emphasize a range of professions, encompassing healthcare, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), skilled trades, transportation, and the agriculture and agri-food sectors. Candidates are also required to show a specific level of proficiency in French, alongside these professional qualifications. This comprehensive selection process seeks to draw in individuals whose abilities closely match the requirements of the Canadian labour market, guaranteeing that the nation gains from a varied and capable workforce.
Immigration Invitations in Canada for the years 2023 to 2024
As of September 19, 2024, after the latest draw, the IRCC has issued a total of 84,874 ITAs through the Express Entry system. As of September 20, 2023, the IRCC had issued 81,948 ITAs.
A shift in the federal distribution of landed immigrants participating in the Express Entry program occurred between 2023 and 2024. The allocation for “Federal High Skilled” immigrants in the annual Immigration Levels Plan is directly influenced by the ITAs issued through Express Entry. In 2024, the immigration agency expects to welcome 110,770 immigrants through this system, reflecting an increase from the projected 82,800 immigrants via Express Entry for 2023.
A Comprehensive Examination of Express Entry Draw Frequencies: A Comparison Between 2024 and 2023
In 2024, the IRCC conducted 37 draws via the Express Entry system, covering nine different categories and streams. Typically, these draws result in approximately 2,294 ITAs, though this figure can vary considerably based on the particular category or stream. At this time last year, the IRCC conducted 28 draws, yielding an average of 2,927 ITAs per draw across eight categories and streams. As in the current year, there was significant fluctuation in draw sizes in 2023, based on the chosen category and stream.
July 2024 was a landmark month for the Express Entry system, as the IRCC held nine draws—the most in a single month since the program’s inception in 2015. This rise in draws could play a role in the heightened activity noted this year.
Top Express Entry Streams of 2024 – A Comparison with 2023 Draws
The table below displays the number of draws categorized by type and stream, as well as the total number of ITAs issued for each category and stream for both 2024 and the equivalent period in 2023.
| Category/Stream | Number of Draws (2024) | ITAs Issued (2024) | Number of Draws (by Sept 20, 2023) | ITAs Issued (by Sept 20, 2023) |
| Agriculture and Agri-food Occupations Category | 0 | 0 | 1 | 150 |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 6 | 24,800 | 0 | 0 |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3,300 |
| French Language Proficiency Category | 8 | 20,400 | 3 | 6,900 |
| Healthcare Occupations Category | 2 | 7,250 | 2 | 2,000 |
| General (includes CEC, FSWP, and FSTP) | 9 | 14,445 | 0 | 0 |
| No Program Specified (includes CEC, FSWP, and FSTP) | 0 | 0 | 15 | 63,900 |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 8 | 10,554 | 4 | 2,848 |
| STEM Occupations Category | 1 | 4,500 | 1 | 500 |
| Trade Occupations Category | 1 | 1,800 | 1 | 1,500 |
| Transport Occupations Category | 1 | 975 | 1 | 1,000 |
Significant Growth in CEC and PNP Draws
Since May and June of this year, there has been a notable increase in draws through the Express Entry system for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This rise comes after remarks from Immigration Minister Marc Miller, who suggested intentions for additional “domestic draws” for candidates within the Express Entry system. In 2023, there were no CEC draws and only four PNP draws; however, in 2024, there have already been eight PNP draws and six CEC draws.
Furthermore, the significance of French Language Proficiency is increasing. In 2024, there have been eight draws in this category, while there were only three in 2023. The IRCC expects that the proportion of French-speaking immigrants outside of Quebec will increase from 6% this year to 8% by 2026, as detailed in the levels plan.
The table below provides the CRS cut-off scores for streams and categories that were chosen multiple times in both years, allowing for an effective comparison of these scores across different streams and categories.
| Category/Stream | Highest CRS Cut-off Score (2024) | Lowest CRS Cut-off Score (2024) | Highest CRS Cut-off Score (by Sept 20, 2023) | Lowest CRS Cut-off Score (by Sept 20, 2023) |
| French Language Proficiency Category | 446 | 336 | 439 | 375 |
| Healthcare Occupations Category | 445 | 422 | 476 | 463 |
| Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) | 739 | 663 | 791 | 691 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is Express Entry?
Ans1. Express Entry is Canada’s online immigration system that manages applications for permanent residency from skilled workers. It functions through three primary programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
Q2. What are category-based selection draws in Express Entry?
Ans2. Category-based selection draws enable Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to invite candidates according to specific criteria, including professional experience or language proficiency, instead of depending solely on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
Q3. What categories are utilized in the category-based selection draws of Express Entry?
Ans3. The categories for selection draws in 2024 encompass healthcare occupations, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) occupations, trade occupations, transport occupations, agriculture and agri-food occupations, as well as proficiency in the French language.
Q4. What is the comparison of the number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued by Canada through Express Entry in 2024 versus 2023?
Ans4. As of September 19, 2024, Canada has issued 84,874 ITAs, an increase from 81,948 ITAs at the same time in 2023, indicating a growth of 3.6%.
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