2024 Express Entry Policy
In 2024, Canada conducted 52 rounds of Express Entry draws, issuing a total of 98,903 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). Compared to previous years, the categorization of invitations has become more refined, with a particular focus on Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and French language proficiency. This shift reflects Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) more targeted approach to immigration selection.
| Invitation Category | Number of Draws | Lowest CRS Score | Highest CRS Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provincial Nominee Program | 14 | 663 | 816 |
| French Language Proficiency | 11 | 336 | 478 |
| Canadian Experience Class | 10 | 507 | 547 |
| General | 9 | 524 | 549 |
| Healthcare Occupations | 3 | 422 | 463 |
| Trade Occupations | 2 | 433 | 436 |
| Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations | 1 | 437 | 437 |
| STEM Occupations | 1 | 491 | 491 |
| Transport Occupations | 1 | 430 | 430 |
A detailed summary of 2024 Express Entry draws can be found at the end of this article.
Compared to 2023, the CRS score thresholds in Express Entry showed noticeable fluctuations, closely tied to an increase in the number of candidates and policy changes. By December 2024, the number of profiles in the Express Entry candidate pool reached 221,310, an increase of nearly 5,000 compared to 2023.
Policy and Trend Analysis: Insights from 2024 to 2025
1. Elimination of LMIA Points: A Pivotal Policy Change
At the end of 2024, Canada’s Minister of Immigration announced the removal of additional CRS points for valid LMIA in the spring of 2025. Currently, candidates with a valid LMIA can receive an additional 50 or 200 CRS points. The elimination of these points will directly affect CRS score thresholds.
Although IRCC has yet to specify the exact implementation date of this policy, it will undoubtedly change the scoring structure in Express Entry, creating opportunities for more candidates without job offers and reducing overall competition.
2. New Immigration Quota Plan: Federal Pathways Take the Lead
According to the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan announced by IRCC in November 2024, the allocation for the “Federal High-Skilled” category under Express Entry will increase from 110,770 in 2024 to 124,590 in 2025.
Notably, for the first time in 2025, the Federal High-Skilled category will be divided into two subcategories:
- “In-Canada Focus”: Representing 66% of the total allocation, focusing on CEC and PNP candidates.
- “Federal Economic Priority” Category: Targeting specific occupational skills and language abilities, including healthcare, trades, and French proficiency candidates.
This quota allocation change indicates that 2025 Express Entry invitations will increasingly prioritize candidates with Canadian experience while continuing to support specific occupations needed in the labor market.
3. Prioritization of Specific Occupation Categories: Focus on Healthcare and French Proficiency
In 2024, IRCC prioritized agricultural, transportation, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) occupations through category-based selections in Express Entry. However, based on the 2025 plan, IRCC will focus more on the following occupation categories:
- Healthcare Occupations: Addressing Canada’s urgent need for healthcare resources.
- Trade Occupations: Helping fill critical skills gaps.
- French Proficiency Candidates: Continuing to support French-speaking immigration under the Official Languages Act, with a goal of having 7% of immigrants in 2025 as French speakers.
Outlook: Potential Changes in Express Entry in 2025
With the removal of LMIA points and the implementation of new immigration plans, the Express Entry system in 2025 is expected to be more flexible and diverse. Here are some potential trends:
- Lower CRS Score Thresholds: The removal of LMIA points may lower overall CRS score requirements, although high-demand categories may maintain higher thresholds.
- Occupation-Specific Invitations: Draws and allocations for healthcare and trade occupations are expected to increase significantly.
- Increased Support for French-Speaking Immigrants: With the federal government’s enhanced commitment to French-speaking immigration, invitations for the French proficiency category are likely to increase further.
In summary, Canada’s adjustments to Express Entry in 2024 demonstrate the federal government’s flexibility and foresight in immigration policies. Looking ahead, prospective immigration candidates should closely monitor policy updates and optimize their application strategies based on their qualifications to better adapt to changes in the Express Entry system.
Appendix:
2024 Express Entry Draw Details. Click here to calculate your CRS score online.
| Date | Round Type | Invitations Issued | CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1085 | 727 |
| December 03 | French language proficiency | 800 | 466 |
| December 02 | Provincial Nominee Program | 676 | 705 |
| November 20 | Healthcare occupations | 3000 | 463 |
| November 19 | Canadian Experience Class | 400 | 539 |
| November 18 | Provincial Nominee Program | 174 | 816 |
| November 15 | French language proficiency | 800 | 478 |
| November 13 | Canadian Experience Class | 400 | 547 |
| November 12 | Provincial Nominee Program | 733 | 812 |
| October 23 | Trade occupations | 1,800 | 433 |
| October 22 | Canadian Experience Class | 400 | 539 |
| October 21 | Provincial Nominee Program | 648 | 791 |
| October 10 | French language proficiency | 1,000 | 444 |
| October 09 | Canadian Experience Class | 500 | 539 |
| October 07 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,613 | 743 |
| September 19 | Canadian Experience Class | 4,000 | 509 |
| September 13 | French language proficiency | 1,000 | 446 |
| September 09 | Provincial Nominee Program | 911 | 732 |
| August 27 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,300 | 507 |
| August 26 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,121 | 694 |
| August 15 | French language proficiency | 2,000 | 394 |
| August 14 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,200 | 509 |
| August 13 | Provincial Nominee Program | 763 | 690 |
| July 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 5,000 | 510 |
| July 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 964 | 686 |
| July 18 | French language proficiency | 1,800 | 400 |
| July 17 | Canadian Experience Class | 6,300 | 515 |
| July 16 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,391 | 670 |
| July 08 | French language proficiency | 3,200 | 420 |
| July 05 | Healthcare occupations | 3,750 | 445 |
| July 04 | Trade occupations | 1,800 | 436 |
| July 02 | Provincial Nominee Program | 920 | 739 |
| June 19 | Provincial Nominee Program | 1,499 | 663 |
| May 31 | Canadian Experience Class | 3,000 | 522 |
| May 30 | Provincial Nominee Program | 2,985 | 676 |
| April 24 | French language proficiency | 1,400 | 410 |
| April 23 | General | 2,095 | 529 |
| April 11 | STEM occupations | 4,500 | 491 |
| April 10 | General | 1,280 | 549 |
| March 26 | French language proficiency | 1,500 | 388 |
| March 25 | General | 1,980 | 524 |
| March 13 | Transport occupations | 975 | 430 |
| March 12 | General | 2,850 | 525 |
| February 29 | French language proficiency | 2,500 | 336 |
| February 28 | General | 1,470 | 534 |
| February 16 | Agriculture and agri-food occupations | 150 | 437 |
| February 14 | Healthcare occupations | 3,500 | 422 |
| February 13 | General | 1,490 | 535 |
| February 01 | French language proficiency | 7,000 | 365 |
| January 31 | General | 730 | 541 |
| January 23 | General | 1,040 | 543 |
| January 10 | General | 1,510 | 546 |
