1,800 Express Entry Invitations Issued in Latest IRCC Draw for Trade Occupations
What is the Express Entry Draw?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) carries out frequent draws to determine the candidates who will receive invitations to apply for permanent residency as part of one of three programs that are managed by Express Entry, which include:
July 4, 2024 IRCC draw targets trade occupations
On the 4th of July, 2024, the IRCC invited 1,800 individuals to apply under a trade occupations round type. The numbers show that:
- The lowest score of the round was 436 points out of 1200, which is the highest possible Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
- Unlike the trends seen in previous two draws, which saw the Provincial Nominee Program being labeled as the round type, the invitations issued during this round were focused on specific trade occupations.
The trade occupations invited in the Express Entry draw were:
- Residential and commercial installers and servicers
- Machine fitters
- Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
- Elevator constructors and mechanics
- Carpenters
- Plumbers
- Electricians (except industrial and power system)
- Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
- Welders and related machine operators
- Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
Category-specific rounds
If this focus on trade occupations causes you to wonder what governs IRCC’s programs and their draw types for Express Entry, the answer can be found in the fact that Express Entry draws happen:
- In response to targets established by the federal government. In category-specific rounds such as these, the invitations are sent out under the guidance of the minister—typically to reach an economic goal that future permanent residents will contribute to.
- Based on your CRS Score.
Understanding the CRS score
A common misconception about the Express Entry program is that it is a randomized system controlled by variables outside of the individual’s control. Although Express Entry programs are an intensive process, the IRCC is transparent about what your CRS score will be as an applicant to the aforementioned set of three programs that are governed by the Express Entry scheme. The IRCC website helpfully offers a tool for applicants to determine their CRS score, which can be found here.
How the CRS score is calculated
The CRS score assessment criteria is constantly changing. The most updated version of the criteria can always be found under the Ministerial Instructions respecting the Express Entry system, and the latest update was made in April 2023.
As a candidate, it can be helpful to know the statistics of the CRS scores while preparing an immigration package. CRS scores are an objective indicator of the likelihood to be considered in a program associated with Express Entry. As they are objective, an applicant does not have to worry about bias, the predisposition of the immigration officer handling the file, and other related concerns.
CRS score distribution as of July 2 2024:
601-1200 |
940 |
501-600 |
16,521 |
451-500 |
64,761 |
401-450 |
54,148 |
351-400 |
54,902 |
0-300 |
5,523 |
Total |
222,547 |
Source: canada.ca
Eligible candidates for Permanent residency through the Express Entry program
It is important to note that the CRS score system is set up in a manner that makes Express Entry a viable pathway for all individuals who qualify under each program’s eligibility requirements and seek permanent residency.
In 2022, IRCC’s publication manual reported that:
- Men submitted more profiles than women to the Express Entry program.
- The average CRS score has also risen over time, with individuals between the 301-500 range being the most common.
- In contrast, the lowest score in IRCC’s most recent draw was 436.
Regardless of these facts, the program welcomes all individuals to apply and issues invitations to apply to permanent residency based on CRS scores.