Canada's Express Entry ITA: A Year-on-Year Comparison of 2024 vs. 2023
Canada’s Express Entry system remains one of the most popular pathways for skilled immigrants seeking to make Canada their new home. Over the past two years, significant changes have been introduced to enhance the system's efficiency and align it more closely with the country's economic and demographic objectives. This article delves into the evolution of Canada’s Express Entry system, comparing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued in 2024 versus 2023, and explores the impact of these changes on prospective immigrants.
Understanding Canada’s Express Entry System
The Express Entry system is a points-based immigration framework used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage applications for three federal economic immigration programs:
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Candidates create an online profile and are ranked based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Periodically, the IRCC conducts draws to invite top-ranked candidates to apply for permanent residency.
Major Changes in the Express Entry System (2023-2024)
In 2023, the IRCC introduced category-based selection draws within the Express Entry system. This strategic shift allows the immigration department to prioritize candidates who align with Canada’s specific economic and demographic goals, beyond just their CRS scores. Category-based selections focus on particular human capital attributes, such as professional experience and language abilities, thereby enabling a more targeted approach to immigration.
What is Category-Based Selection?
Category-based selection is a method employed by IRCC to streamline the selection of immigration candidates within the Express Entry framework. Instead of relying solely on the CRS score, this approach emphasizes specific attributes that are deemed critical for Canada’s economic growth and societal needs. The current categories include:
● Healthcare Occupations
● Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Occupations
● Trade Occupations
● Transport Occupations
● Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations
● French Language Proficiency
By focusing on these categories, IRCC aims to attract candidates who can fill gaps in essential sectors, thereby supporting Canada’s long-term economic and demographic strategies.
Comparing ITAs Issued in 2024 vs. 2023
As of September 19, 2024, the IRCC has issued 84,874 ITAs through the Express Entry system. In comparison, by the same date in 2023, 81,948 ITAs were issued. While the number of ITAs has increased this year, a comprehensive analysis requires a deeper exploration of various factors, including the number of draws, category-specific ITAs, and CRS cut-off scores.
Federal Allocation Changes
The federal allocation of landed immigrants under the Express Entry system has seen a notable shift from 2023 to 2024. In 2023, IRCC anticipated welcoming 82,800 immigrants through Express Entry. However, for 2024, this number has surged to an expected 110,770 immigrants. This increase reflects Canada’s heightened emphasis on attracting skilled workers to bolster its economy and address labor shortages in critical sectors.
Number of Draws: 2024 vs. 2023
2024 Overview
In 2024, the IRCC conducted 37 Express Entry draws across nine different categories and streams. The average size of these draws is approximately 2,294 ITAs. Notably, July 2024 witnessed a historic surge with nine draws in a single month—the highest since the inception of Express Entry in 2015.
2023 Overview
By September 20, 2023, the IRCC had held 37 draws across eight categories and streams, with an average draw size of 2,927 ITAs. While the number of draws in 2024 has increased, the average size per draw in 2023 was larger, highlighting a shift towards more frequent but slightly smaller draws in the current year.
Category and Stream Analysis: 2024 vs. 2023
The following table provides a detailed comparison of the number of draws and ITAs issued across various categories and streams in 2024 and 2023:
Key Observations
Canadian Experience Class (CEC):
○ 2024: Introduced with 6 draws and 24,800 ITAs.
○ 2023: No draws under CEC.
○ Insight: The introduction of CEC draws in 2024 indicates a strategic move to attract candidates with Canadian work experience, which can facilitate smoother integration into the Canadian labor market.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP):
○ 2024: 8 draws and 10,554 ITAs.
○ 2023: 4 draws and 2,848 ITAs.
○ Insight: A significant increase in PNP draws reflects provinces’ active roles in selecting candidates who meet their specific labor market needs.
French Language Proficiency Category:
○ 2024: 8 draws and 20,400 ITAs.
○ 2023: 3 draws and 6,900 ITAs.
○ Insight: The emphasis on French proficiency aligns with Canada’s bilingual framework, promoting the integration of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec. IRCC plans to increase the allocation of French-speaking immigrants from 6% in 2024 to 8% by 2026.
Healthcare Occupations Category:
○ 2024: 2 draws and 7,250 ITAs.
○ 2023: 2 draws and 2,000 ITAs.
○ Insight: The increase underscores Canada’s ongoing need for healthcare professionals, a demand further amplified by the global pandemic’s lasting impact.
General Draws:
○ 2024: 9 draws and 14,445 ITAs.
○ 2023: 0 draws.
○ Insight: General draws provide flexibility, allowing IRCC to invite candidates from the overall pool when specific category needs are met or when there is excess capacity.
CRS Cut-Off Scores: A Comparative Analysis
Understanding the CRS cut-off scores provides insight into the competitiveness and selectivity of each category or stream.
Key Insights
French Language Proficiency Category:
○ 2024: CRS range of 336 to 446.
○ 2023: CRS range of 375 to 439.
○ Insight: The broader CRS range in 2024 suggests increased accessibility for candidates with French proficiency, potentially attracting a more diverse pool of applicants.
Healthcare Occupations Category:
○ 2024: CRS range of 422 to 445.
○ 2023: CRS range of 463 to 476.
○ Insight: Lower CRS cut-offs in 2024 indicate a higher prioritization of healthcare professionals, reflecting urgent labor market needs.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP):
○ 2024: CRS range of 663 to 739.
○ 2023: CRS range of 691 to 791.
○ Insight: While the upper CRS cut-off has decreased, the lower end remains relatively high, maintaining a competitive edge for PNP candidates.
Impact of Increased ITAs and Draws in 2024
The rise in both the number of ITAs and the frequency of draws in 2024 signifies IRCC’s commitment to accelerating the immigration process. By conducting more draws and expanding category-based selections, Canada aims to:
● Address Labor Shortages: Targeting specific sectors like healthcare and STEM ensures that critical gaps in the labor market are filled promptly.
● Enhance Economic Growth: Attracting skilled workers with diverse expertise contributes to innovation and productivity, driving economic expansion.
● Promote Regional Development: Increased PNP draws allow provinces to select candidates tailored to their unique economic landscapes, fostering balanced regional growth.
● Foster Bilingualism: Emphasizing French proficiency supports Canada’s bilingualism policy, enhancing cultural integration and diversity.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect in 2024 and Beyond
As we look forward to the rest of 2024 and beyond, it is clear that category-based selection draws will continue to play a significant role in shaping Canada's immigration landscape. Based on a recent survey conducted by IRCC, it appears unlikely that any of the current categories will be removed in 2025. However, there is a possibility that the number of occupations within each category may be adjusted—either expanded or reduced. The survey, however, did not provide any concrete indications in this regard.
One area of focus in the survey was the effectiveness of targeting skilled workers with strong French language skills. Given Canada's goal of increasing Francophone immigration outside of Quebec to 8% by 2026, it is highly unlikely that French language proficiency will be removed from the category list in the near future.
What Occupations Could Be Added to the Category-Based Draws?
The survey also highlighted the possibility of new categories being added to the category-based draws in 2025. Specifically, there is a strong indication that education-related occupations may be included in the future. Some of the occupations that could potentially be added include:
● Elementary school and kindergarten teachers (NOC 41221);
● Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (NOC 43100);
● Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202);
● Secondary school teachers (NOC 41220);
● Educational counsellors (NOC 41320);
● Instructors of persons with disabilities (NOC 42203).
Additionally, the survey suggested that occupations related to natural resources, new technologies, and applied sciences might also be considered for inclusion. Examples of potential industries include:
● Clean/green technology and quantum computing;
● Biotechnology and biomanufacturing;
● Critical mineral extraction for electric vehicle battery production.
These insights provide a glimpse into the future of Canada's Express Entry system and how it may evolve to better meet the country’s economic needs while continuing to attract skilled talent from across the globe.
Canada's Express Entry system continues to be a dynamic and responsive tool for managing immigration. The introduction of category-based selection draws has allowed IRCC to focus on key labor market needs, while the growing importance of French language proficiency and the possible addition of new categories highlight the government's commitment to economic growth and demographic balance.
Tips for Prospective Express Entry Candidates
Stay Informed: Regularly check IRCC’s official website for updates on Express Entry draws and category-based selections.
Enhance Your CRS Score: Improve factors like language proficiency, education, and work experience to increase your chances of receiving an ITA.
Consider Provincial Nomination: Explore opportunities through Provincial Nominee Programs to benefit from additional CRS points.
Focus on In-Demand Categories: Target categories with higher ITA allocations, such as healthcare, STEM, and French proficiency, to enhance your application’s competitiveness.
Seek Professional Advice: Consulting with immigration experts can provide personalized strategies to optimize your Express Entry profile.
By leveraging these strategies and staying abreast of the latest developments, candidates can better navigate the Express Entry system and enhance their prospects of securing permanent residency in Canada.