Express Entry Draw 324: Canada's most recent Express Entry draw on November 15 targeted French-speaking candidates.

A total of 800 invitations were sent out, with the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score set at 478.

To qualify, candidates needed to show strong French skills, scoring at least 7 in all four areas of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB).

This draw reflects Canada's goal to attract more French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec.

November 13, 2024: Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Invitation Round

Just two days before, on November 13, 2024, a draw invited 400 candidates through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program.

This program is for individuals who have at least one year of work experience in Canada.

Due to the limited number of invitations, the CRS cutoff score was set higher at 547.

If multiple candidates had the same score, priority was given to those who submitted their profiles before April 10, 2024.

What These Draws Mean

Canada is now focusing on category-specific draws, introduced in 2023, to meet specific immigration goals, such as boosting the workforce in targeted industries and promoting linguistic diversity.

To improve your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), consider enhancing your CRS score through higher language test results, gaining more work experience, or exploring provincial nomination programs.

Back To Basics

The Express Entry system is Canada's online program to invite skilled workers from around the world to apply for permanent residency (PR).

It oversees applications for three primary immigration programs:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): For people with work experience outside Canada.
2. Canadian Experience Class (CEC): This program is for individuals who have gained work experience in Canada.
3. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For skilled tradespeople like electricians, chefs, or welders.

How it Works

1. Create a Profile: Candidates fill out a profile and provide information like work experience, education, language skills, and age.
2. CRS Score: Each profile gets a score using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Higher scores mean better chances of selection.
3. Draws: Canada holds Express Entry draws every few weeks to invite top-scoring candidates. Some draws target specific programs, industries, or French-speaking applicants.
4. Invitation to Apply (ITA): If selected in a draw, candidates receive an ITA and can apply for PR.

Why French Skills and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) Matter

•  French Skills: If you speak French well, you can earn up to 50 extra points for your CRS score, making it easier to be selected in Express Entry draws.
• PNP: Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) let Canadian provinces select candidates to help fill local job shortages. If a province nominates you, you get an additional 600 points, almost guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

The Express Entry system is designed to be quick and clear, helping skilled workers successfully immigrate to Canada.