On November 19, 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the 326th Express Entry draw, exclusively targeting candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
A total of 400 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence were issued, reflecting Canada’s commitment to retaining skilled workers with domestic experience.
Key Details of the Draw
- Number of Invitations Issued: 400
- Minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score: 539
- Tie-Breaking Rule: Profiles submitted before July 8, 2024, at 01:41:37 UTC were prioritised in cases of tied scores.
- Round Date and Time: November 19, 2024, at 14:38:41 UTC
What is the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)?
The Canadian Experience Class is one of the key economic immigration programs managed under the Express Entry system.
It offers a pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers who have gained significant work experience in Canada.
These candidates are typically well-integrated into Canadian labour markets and demonstrate strong adaptability.
CRS Score and Tie-Breaking Rule
In this draw, the lowest CRS score was 539, which remains competitive despite being a drop from last week’s CEC round with a CRS score of 547.
For context, the CRS cutoff for both CEC rounds in October 2024 was also 539.
The tie-breaking rule ensured that candidates with the same CRS score were ranked based on the date and time they submitted their profiles, giving priority to those submitted before July 8, 2024.
CRS scores are calculated based on factors such as age, education, language skills, work experience, and adaptability.
Higher scores increase the likelihood of receiving an ITA. The consistently high cutoffs reflect the large number of candidates currently in the pool.
The Express Entry Pool
The Express Entry pool is Canada’s system for managing applications for permanent residency under programs such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
Candidates are ranked using their CRS scores, with draws typically inviting the highest-ranked candidates.
In recent months, the pool has grown significantly:
- October 7, 2024: 209,892 candidates
- October 22, 2024: 211,780 candidates
- November 13, 2024: 217,500 candidates
- November 19, 2024: 218,167 candidates
This represents an increase of 8,275 candidates in just over a month, with 667 added in the past week alone.
However, the number of candidates with CRS scores between 501 and 600 slightly decreased:
- October 7, 2024: 11,800 candidates
- October 22, 2024: 13,430 candidates
- November 13, 2024: 16,625 candidates
- November 19, 2024: 16,495 candidates
Implications for Candidates
This draw’s exclusive focus on CEC candidates highlights Canada’s priority of retaining skilled talent already in its workforce.
Candidates who received an ITA have 60 days to submit their complete application for permanent residency.
For prospective applicants, this draw underscores two key points:
- Maintaining a strong CRS score is crucial.
- Submitting profiles early can help leverage tie-breaking rules effectively.
This draw is part of Canada’s broader immigration strategy to address labour shortages and drive economic growth by inviting skilled workers through targeted Express Entry rounds.
