Altec’s insights | October 2024: State of the Express Entry Pool

After a busy summer of immigration activity, September brought a noticeable slowdown in Express Entry draws. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which had ramped up its efforts in July and August, shifted gears in September, focusing more on specific candidate groups, particularly domestic and francophone candidates.

Let’s dive into the Express Entry draws held over the past month and take a closer look at the composition of the federal Express Entry candidate pool as we head into October.

What Happened in September’s Express Entry Draws?

September saw IRCC hold three Express Entry draws, with nearly 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued for permanent residence. Here’s the breakdown of the draws:

The trends are clear: IRCC continues to prioritize key groups like Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, those with French-language proficiency, and candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This approach aligns with the recent direction from Immigration Minister Marc Miller, who emphasized Canada’s focus on “domestic” candidates—those already residing in Canada—and the country’s ongoing commitment to supporting Francophone immigration outside Quebec.

However, it’s worth noting that September’s total ITAs were notably lower than previous months. Take a look at the comparison:

While ITAs dropped in September, this shift in pace seems part of IRCC’s strategy to selectively invite candidates that fit into the specific categories that align with Canada’s broader immigration goals.

What Does the Express Entry Pool Look Like?

As of September 19th, 2024 (following the most recent Express Entry draw), here’s the current distribution of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores in the Express Entry pool:

This breakdown gives a snapshot of how competitive the Express Entry pool is, with the majority of candidates falling within the 350-400 range and a significant number scoring between 470-500. The higher CRS cut-off scores for recent draws, particularly for PNP and CEC candidates, show that the pool remains competitive, with thousands of candidates scoring above 470.

How Do Candidates Rank Within the Pool?

To better understand how CRS scores rank within the overall pool, here’s a percentile breakdown. This table shows where candidates stand relative to others in the pool, based on their CRS scores:

This table helps illustrate how a candidate’s CRS score compares to others in the pool. For example, candidates scoring 470-480 are in the top 25% of all Express Entry candidates, while those scoring above 500 are among the top 5.66% of the pool. These insights show just how competitive Express Entry has become, particularly for higher-scoring candidates.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Express Entry Candidates

As of October 2024, the Express Entry pool continues to evolve, with IRCC focusing more on domestic and Francophone candidates. If you’re considering Canadian permanent residency through Express Entry, understanding the current CRS score distribution and IRCC’s selection trends is crucial.

If your CRS score is on the lower end, exploring options like improving language scores or obtaining a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination could be the boost you need to increase your chances of receiving an ITA. Similarly, candidates with French language proficiency have a distinct advantage under IRCC’s current priorities.

Navigating the Express Entry system can be complex, but Altec Global’s expert team is here to help! Whether you’re aiming to increase your CRS score, explore PNP options, or simply need guidance on the next steps, we have the knowledge and experience to guide you through the process.

🌟 If you’re serious about making Canada your permanent home, contact us today for personalized immigration advice! Book your appointment today!