Canada Express Entry - Eligibility Requirements, Latest Draw (2024)

Why apply for Canada Express Entry?

• Best path to Canada Permanent Residency
• No job offer is required
• Higher chances of selection
• Quick processing time
• Plans to issue 110,770 ITAs in 2024
• High success rate for applicants
• Opportunity for Canadian citizenship

Canada Express Entry is the most popular route for overseas skilled professionals to settle in Canada permanently. Canada Express Entry draws will be held more often to fulfill the workforce demands in Canada.

Canada Express Entry Draw

Canada Immigration via Express Entry is the most prominent way for candidates looking to settle in the country with a PR visa. Express Entry is an online application management system that manages skilled workers applications wanting to become permanent residents of Canada. It uses a points-based system to assess eligible candidates based on the information provided in candidate’s profile such as skills, experience, employment status, and nomination.

Express Entry Draw generally takes place for every two weeks. IRCC selects eligible candidates from the Express Entry pool and issues invitation to apply for permanent resident status in Canada. Higher the CRS score, greater the chance of receiving an Invitation to apply.

Latest Express Entry Draw

• Invitation Round - #285 (Agriculture and Agri-food occupations)
• Express Entry Latest Draw Date – February 28, 2024
• Number of Invitations – 1,470
• CRS score - 534

The latest Express Entry draw was held on February 14, 2024, and 3,500 ITAs were issued. The #284 draw is a category-based selection draw for healthcare occupations, and the candidates having aCRS score of 422 were invited to this draw.

Temporary immigration to Quebec increased by 50% in 2023

Canada Express Entry draws in January 2024

Canada Express Entry draws in 2023

IRCC held 35 Express Entry Draws in 2023 and issued 95,346 ITAs. The details of the Canada EE Draws in 2023 are given below:

When is the next Express Entry Draw?

The anticipation for the next draw is high. To stay informed about upcoming draws, please check our website regularly for updates. The typical pattern involves draws every two weeks on Wednesdays, but deviations from this pattern can occur.

Canada Immigration – Express Entry

Canada Immigration through Express Entry is the most prominent pathway for individuals who wish to settle in the country with a PR visa.It is a points-based system that allots points based on skills, work experience, Canadian employment status, and provincial/territorial nomination.

The higher your CRS score, the greater your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for aPermanent Residency in Canada. Candidates who choose Express Entry to submit their Canada PR applications get higher chances of selection. The Express Entry applications are valid for 12 months and processed in 6-12 months.

Register your Expression of Interest for the Express Entry program with the help of Y-Axis, the leading andbest immigration consultants in India, who guide you in every step of yourCanada immigration process.Express Entry manages Canada PR applications related to the following federal economic programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Canadian Experience Class
• Provincial Nominee Program

Express Entry is a streamlined immigration program made more transparent for potential skilled foreign workers. The key details of the program include:

• An online program that has no cap on applicants and is open throughout the year.
• The program applies only to the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Traders Program, and Canadian Experience Class Immigration Program.
• You must submit an Expression of Interest and apply as an applicant for any job mentioned in Skill Types 0, A, and B.
• Your profile will be evaluated based on points and placed in the applicant pool.
• Canadian provinces and employers will access this pool and find talent to meet their needs.
• The highest point holders are sent an Invitation to Apply for Canada PR.
• The number of ITAs issued is based on the Canada Immigration Levels Plan.

Canada plans to invite1.5 million immigrants by 2026. Canada Express Entry immigration levels plan for 2023-25 are given below:

Canada Express Entry – 5 Things to Know

• Score:Latest Express Entry Draw CRS score – 365.
• Cost:CAD 2300/ applicant; for couples, it is CAD 4,500.
• Approval time:6 to 8 months.
• Length of residence:5 years.
• Easy or not:Candidates with the highest rankings are issued ITAs.

Introduction of Category-Based Rounds of Invitations

As per the recent update released on May 31, 2023, IRCC will be inviting Canada Express Entry candidates in the following 6 fields in this year:

• French language proficiency or work experience
• Healthcare
• STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) professions
• Trades (carpenters, plumbers, and contractors)
• Transport
• Agriculture and Agri-Food

*For more information, also read –IRCC announces 6 new categories for Express Entry candidates. Register your EOI now!

CRS Score Calculator

The Canada Express Entry Program determines applications using the Comprehensive Ranking System. TheCRS score calculatorevaluates and gives points based on the six factors. The highest-scored candidates have greater chances to migrate to Canada with a PR Visa. The points scale has a maximum score of 1200 and evaluates you and your spouse (if any) on the following factors:

• Age
• The highest level of education
• Language skills
• Canadian work experience
• Other work experience
• Skill Transferability
• Other factors

Benefits of the Canada EE Program

• The main advantage of this immigration program is its transparency. Applicants will know the CRS points they must score to be eligible for the Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
• Candidates should know the minimum score they should obtain to qualify for the ITA. If they do not make the mark, they can always try to improve their CRS score or consider other CRS options.
• They can look at improving their language test results, gaining additional work experience, orstudy in Canada, or apply for aprovincial nomination program.
• Young candidates with a higher level of education, language proficiency in English (IELTS/CELPIP) or French, or both, or those with Canadian experience (employees or students) have the potential to reach a higher CRS score and get selected through the Express Entry system.
• Candidates with a provincial nomination will get an additional 600 points. Those with a job offer in Canada or siblings residing there are eligible for additional points.

Canada Express Entry Eligibility

The eligibility requirement for the Express Entry is 67 points out of 100. You will need to score at least 67 points under various eligibility criteria to apply for your PR visa. TheExpress Entry eligibility points calculatoris based on the following criteria:

• Age:You can score the maximum points if you are between 18-35 years. Those above this age will gain lesser points.
• Education:Your minimum educational qualification must be equal to the higher secondary education level in Canada. A higher level of educational qualification means more points.
• Work experience:To score the minimum points you should have at least one year of work experience. If you have more years of work experience, you will gain more points.
• Language ability:You must have at least 6 bands in your IELTS equivalent to CLB 7 to be eligible to apply and score the minimum points. Higher scores mean more points.
• Adaptability:You can score ten points on the adaptability factor if your family members or close relatives are living in Canada and will be able to support you when you move in there. You can also gain points if your spouse or legal partner is ready to migrate with you to Canada.
• Arranged employment:A valid job offer from a Canadian employer entitles you to ten points.

Canada Express Entry Requirements

• 1-year work experience in skilled occupation, in the last 10 years.
• Minimum CLB score – 7 (in English or French).
• Education Credential Assessment (ECA).

Important Announcement: PTE Core (Pearson Test of English) is now accepted by IRCC for Express Entry Programs

PTE Core, the Pearson Test of English is now officially accepted and authorized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Express Entry Programs.

_{What is the PTE Core?}

PTE Core is a computer based English test that evaluates general reading, speaking, writing, and listening skills in single test.

_{Key Details:}

• 35 test centers are there across India
• Bookings are open and the dates for tests are available
• Fee for test: CAD $275 (Including taxes)
• Risk of Bias is decreased by combination of human expertise and AI scoring
• The test is to be attempted at a test center, and is completely computer based test
• Test results are announced in 2 days
• Validity period: Test scores are valid for 2 years from the date of test result. They must still be valid on the day the application for permanent residency is submitted
• The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) will be used to determine the language proficiency level
• The test results will be used to determine the CLB level for each ability

_{About CLB level and points awarded:}

_{Express Entry Program:}Federal Skilled Worker Program

_{Language Test:}PTE Core: Pearson Test of English

First official language (maximum 24 points) for Main Applicant

Note:The main applicant for the Federal Skilled Worker Program must meet the minimum level for all four skills listed in the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7.

However, depending on the client’s profile, the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 and points required to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program will vary.

Express Entry Profile Creation

Step 1: Complete your ECA

If you have done your education outside Canada, you should get yourEducational Credentials Assessment or ECA. The ECA proves that your educational qualifications are equal to those recognized in the Canadian educational system.

Step 2: Complete your language ability tests

The next step is completing the required English language proficiency tests. The minimum score is 6 bands in IELTS equivalent to CLB 7. Your test score should be less than 2 years old at the time of application.

You will have an edge over other applicants if you know French. French language tests like the Test de Evaluation de Francians (TEF) will prove your proficiency in the language.

Step 3: Create your Express Entry profile

First, you have to create your online Express Entry profile. The profile should include details about your age, work experience, education, language skills, etc. You will be given a score base on these details.

If you qualify by getting the required points, you can submit your profile. This will be included in the Express Entry pool.

Step 4: Calculate your CRS score

If your profile makes it to the Express Entry pool, it is ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Criteria such as age, work experience, adaptability, etc. determine your CRS score. Your profile gets included in the Express Entry pool if you have the required CRS score. You need to have a minimum of 67 points out of 100 to be eligible to apply under the Express Entry program.

Step 5: Get your Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If your profile gets selected from the Express Entry pool, you will get an ITA from the Canadian government after which you can start the documentation for your PR visa.

ITA Canada

IRCC holds Express Entry draws at regular intervals. Every draw has a different cut-off score. The applicants with a CRS score equal to or above the cutoff score will receive an ITA. Candidates with a long presence in theExpress

Entry pool will receive an ITA

Once you receive an ITA, you will have to submit a complete and correct application for which you will be given 90 days. If you fail to do so within 90 days, then your invitation will become null and void. So, you should make the best use of this time to submit an accurate application.

Submit your Canada PR application

After receiving the ITA, candidates need to know under which Express Entry program (FSWP, FSTP, PNP, or CEC) they have been selected to apply for the Canada PR visa. Candidates will receive the checklist of requirements specific to the program they have applied for. A general checklist of requirements is given below:

• English language test results
• Civil status such as your birth certificate
• Proof of your education achievements
• Proof of your work experience
• Medical Certificate
• Police Clearance Certificate
• Proof of Funds
• Photos

Express Entry fees

• Language tests: $300
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): $200
• Biometrics: $85/person
• Government fees: $1,325/adult & $225/child
• Medical examination fees: $450/adult & $250/child
• Police clearance certificates: $100

Proof of Funds for Express Entry

Canada Express Entry draws in 2022

In 2022, Canada Express Entry invited46,538candidates. The CRS score of the latest draw is recorded as the lowest compared to the overall scores in the year.

Canada PNP draws in 2022

IRCC invited53,057candidates through Canada PNP draws in 2022. The below table gives information on each province’s participation to meet Canada immigration target, 2022. Quebec Invited8071candidates to apply for permanent selection in 2022.

Talk to Y-Axis to evaluate your chances of migrating to Canada and make an informed decision.