Canada Invites 964 PNP Candidates in Latest Express Entry Draw

In its recent Express Entry draw, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended an invitation to 964 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants to apply for permanent residency. Following this draw, candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 686. The latest of several draws this bustling month, this selection round was exclusively for those who’ve received provincial nominations.

Happening every other session, the Express Entry system experienced a mix of program-focused draws, alternating between the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and category-specific selections. Pertaining to the latter, significant numbers of invitations – reaching 5,000 across two sessions – were earmarked for individuals with French language abilities. Additionally, healthcare professionals and tradespeople have been sought, with 3,750 invitations to healthcare candidates early in the month, followed by 1,800 to individuals in trade roles thereafter.

This concentration on program-specific draws commenced on May 30, following a year’s hiatus, marking a concerted effort by IRCC to prioritize domestic candidates as depicted in their recent strategic goals. Launched in March, IRCC’s focus has been on reducing the temporary resident population while concurrently fulfilling permanent resident targets as part of their Immigration Levels Plan.

Offering a recap of Express Entry outcomes in 2024, a variety of draws occurred across multiple professional categories and skills, signifying the intention of IRCC to appeal to the diverse talents required in the Canadian labor market. Categories include healthcare, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), various trades, transportation, the agri-food sector, and candidates demonstrating French language proficiency.

The Express Entry system is designed to streamline the application process for Canada’s primary economic immigration pathways: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Offering expedited processing, with a standard timeline of six months, Express Entry assesses candidates using the CRS. This points-based system allocates scores for factors such as age, education, skilled work experience, and language proficiency, to determine a candidate’s potential to contribute effectively to the Canadian economy.

Category-based selection is an approach that aims to attract applicants with particular skill sets and proficiencies by holding separate draws for certain fields, initiated by IRCC in May 2023 after discussions with stakeholders.

Conclusion

In summary, Canada continues to solidify its position as a go-to destination for skilled workers across the globe. With a focus on a range of professional sectors and a commitment to language diversity, IRCC is ensuring Canada’s economic landscape grows robustly through strategic immigration policies, including the recent PNP-focused Express Entry draw.

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