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Canada has conducted another targeted Express Entry draw, issuing 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the French language proficiency category.

The February 29 draw saw a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 336 points – 29 points lower than the French language draw before that, which was conducted on February 1, 2024, and had a minimum CRS score of 365 points.

The February 1 draw was the first major draw of the new year, having issued 7,000 ITAs.

The last draw was an all-program draw and was held on February 28, 2024. It issued 1,470 ITAs with a minimum CRS of 534.

Last year, Canada conducted the following draws:

• 19 all-program draws 
• Five PNP draws 
• Six draws targeted at French speakers 
• Three draws targeted at healthcare occupations 
• Two draws targeted at STEM occupations 
• Two draws targeted at skilled trades 
• Two draws targeted at transport jobs 
• Two draws targeted at agriculture and agri-food occupations 
• One draw targeted at Federal Skilled Worker candidates

Of the nine draws conducted till now in 2024, five have been all-program draws, two have been French language proficiency draws, and two have been occupational category draws.

IRCC issued 110,266 ITAs in 2023, after inviting 45,115 candidates in the whole of 2022.

IRCC issued a record 114,431 ITAs in 2021, to all Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Program candidates. It beat the previous record of 107,350 set in 2020.

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Canada had a record immigration target of 465,000 for 2023, which it plans to surpass by setting the target of 485,000 permanent residency invites in 2024.

The latest draw saw the tie-breaking rule implemented on January 18, 2024, at 4:15 am EST. If more than one candidate had the minimum CRS score, only those who submitted their Express Entry profiles before this date and time received invitations.

This was the 9th round of invitations under Express Entry in 2024 and 287th overall.

Candidates have a 60-day window to submit their applications, which will be processed within the six-month standard.

What Can Employers Do to Recruit Foreign Workers?

Employers are encouraged to consider securing an LMIA or nomination under provincial nomination programs (PNPs) to ensure long-term retention of employees.

At immigration.ca we provide Canadian employers with unparalleled immigration legal services and recruitment of foreign nationals through our in-house skilledworker.com. We bring qualified candidates to Canada in the shortest time possible. Employers in a wide range of industries can directly benefit from our unique position as one of Canada’s leading immigration firms in the industry, with a strong online presence, to meet both their recruitment and immigration requirements.

Interested employers wishing to seek our assistance are invited to contact us here for further information.

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What Should Candidates Do Next?

Securing an approved offer of employment is highly recommended as one of the best pathways to guaranteeing an ITA in the next round of invitations.

Find out whether you qualify for Canada by completing our free online evaluation. We will provide you with your evaluation results within 1-2 business days.

Resources:  

• Immigration.ca News Articles – A daily news source outlining the latest developments in immigration, employment and the economy with commentaries by Attorney Colin Singer. 
• At skilledworker.com we are dedicated to developing long-term strategic alliances with client companies and candidates alike. We strictly adhere to our guiding principles of honesty, integrity and confidentiality.

Colin R. Singer is immigration counsel for www.immigration.ca and Managing Partner of skilledworker.com. He is one of Canada’s foremost senior corporate immigration attorneys. Colin is internationally recognized as an experienced and recommended authority on Canadian immigration and foreign recruitment. In addition to being a licensed human resources professional, he has been a licensed Canadian lawyer in good standing with the Quebec Law Society for more than 30+ years and is authorized by the Canadian government in all immigration matters.