In Canada’s latest Express Entry draw on July 2, 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued invitations to apply (ITAs).

This draw, specifically under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), saw a total of 920 candidates receiving ITAs. To qualify, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 739.

This draw follows several program-specific draws held in the past month. Recently, on June 19, IRCC invited 1,499 candidates in another PNP-specific draw, with a minimum CRS score requirement of 663. Another notable draw took place on May 30, inviting 2,985 Express Entry candidates solely through the PNP pathway, marking the first such draw since May 10, 2023. Additionally, on May 31, 3,000 candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) were invited.

Program-specific draws focus exclusively on candidates in the Express Entry pool who have applied through programs like CEC, Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), or Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). For PNP-only draws, candidates are considered if they have been nominated through an Express Entry-aligned stream of a Provincial Nominee Program, known as an enhanced nomination.

These draws are part of IRCC’s efforts since January to manage the levels of temporary residents in Canada, offering more pathways for them to obtain permanent residence (PR). Many temporary residents, including those on work or study permits, or visitor visas, seek PR through CEC or PNP, contributing to IRCC’s annual targets for “Federal High Skilled Workers” (Express Entry) as outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan while reducing the number of temporary residents in the country.