IRCC Issues 1,499 Invitations in Latest Express Entry Draw

 Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its latest Express Entry draw, inviting 1,499 candidates to apply for permanent residency in Canada. This draw was specific to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), meaning only candidates with a provincial nomination were eligible to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

To be considered for this draw, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 663. This is part of a broader strategy by the IRCC to manage immigration effectively and respond to specific regional needs.

This draw follows two notable program-specific draws held on May 30 and 31. These draws were significant because they marked a departure from the typical all-program draws, focusing instead on particular groups of candidates. The May 30 draw targeted only those with provincial nominations through the PNP, while the May 31 draw was exclusively for candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). These two draws combined resulted in 5,985 ITAs being issued to Express Entry candidates.

The May 31 draw was particularly noteworthy as it was the first CEC-specific draw since September 2021. CEC candidates often already live and work in Canada, making them a crucial group for transitioning from temporary to permanent residency. This aligns with Canada's recent policy shift towards holding more domestic draws. The aim is to reduce the number of temporary residents by converting them into permanent residents, thus stabilizing the temporary resident population in the country.

These recent draws, including the latest PNP-specific one, reflect Canada’s commitment to tailored immigration policies that address both regional and national needs, ensuring a balanced and effective immigration system.