IRCC Has Announced to Sustain Existing Categories for Category-based Express Entry Draws in 2024

Category-based draws opened so far in 2024

The IRCC has already conducted Express Entry draw for two (i.e. French Language Proficiency & Healthcare Occupations) of the six categories eligible for category-based selections this year, i.e.

Category-based EE draws Occurred on 1 & 14 February 2024

Date	Number of Invitations	CRS Score	Draw Category
14 Feb	3,500	422	Healthcare occupations (2023-1)
1-Feb	7,000	365	French language proficiency (2023-1)
Total	10,500

The CRS score requirement dropped to as low as just 365 points in the category-based Express Entry draw occurred on 1st Feb 2024.

Also read-

CRS score Drops to just 422 in Latest Express Entry draw for Healthcare Occupations

IRCC issues 1,490 invitations in the latest All-category Express Entry draw on 13 Feb 2024

Categories for 2024 category-based EE Draws

Last year, IRCC targeted six key categories in category-based Express Entry draws, which as per IRCC will sustain in the year 2024 as well. These categories are:

• A strong French language proficiency or
• Work experience in one of the below fields:
  • healthcare
  • science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
  • trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors
  • transport
  • agriculture and Agri-food

Why Category-based Selections are good for Canada PR applicants?

In the category-based Express Entry draws, the IRCC issues Canada PR invitation to the candidates with low CRS score, provided they are proficient in French or have experience in one of the above-mentioned occupation categories eligible for category-based selections.

IRCC persists with Existing categories

As per the statement from Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller,  as of this month, 2024 Express Entry rounds have begun. They invite potential candidates with category-specific work experience or a strong French language proficiency to apply for PR Visa. In his statement Minister Miller said,

“Francophone immigration plays a crucial role in strengthening our national identity and fuelling the economic growth of Francophone minority communities outside Quebec. As we continue to face critical labour shortages in key sectors like health care, transportation and home building, talented newcomers are critical for our economy because they support local businesses and communities. The Express Entry system ensures that Canada has the skilled workers it needs to grow and succeed, while highlighting our commitment to supporting the vitality and restoring the demographic weight of Francophone minority communities.”

The category-based selection method allows Canadian Immigration department to welcome more in-demand professionals to communities across the country.

IRCC’s post on X

The IRCC has also confirmed on its official website that 2023 categories were based on projections of labour market shortages from 2022 to 2031, which are still valid, and were informed by public consultations held in winter 2022 and summer 2023.

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Manitoba PNP issues 282 Letters of Advice in latest Immigration Draw

Considering all the above factors along with massive immigration target of Canada, year 2024 is the best time to apply for Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) Visa. If you are also a Canada PR aspirant, it’s the high time to prepare your application.

To confirm latest immigration updates and apply for PR visa in Canada in 2024 through a trusted Immigration Advisor, you may get in touch with Visas Avenue Canada migration expert on Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or e-mail at info@visasavenue.com.

- Rajneesh Kumar