IRCC Announce First ITAs for December 2024
Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regularly issues Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency through the Express Entry system. Recent updates and statistics about ITAs issued, draws conducted, and key programs are explained below.
Key Facts about Recent ITAs
Total ITAs Issued in November 2024: 5,507
Latest Draw (December 2, 2024):
Draw Type: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Number of ITAs: 676
Minimum CRS Score: 705
Eligibility for Express Entry
Express Entry manages applications for three main federal economic immigration programs:
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Additionally, provincial programs linked to Express Entry (PNP) offer candidates an enhanced nomination, adding 600 CRS points, greatly boosting their chances of receiving an ITA.
How CRS Works:
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) assigns scores based on factors such as:Age
Education
Work Experience
Language Proficiency
Other factors: Siblings in Canada or Canadian work/study experience.
Category-Based Selection:
IRCC also conducts draws targeting specific skills or language abilities, such as French proficiency, STEM occupations, and healthcare workers. These draws typically have lower CRS cut-offs than general ones.Trends and Future Plans
French Proficiency Focus:
Increased PR admissions for French-speaking candidates:
2025: 29,235 admissions planned.
Numbers to rise further in 2026 and 2027.
Category-Based ITAs:
IRCC now targets candidates based on specific labor market needs (e.g., healthcare, trades, STEM, etc.).
Total PR Admissions Goals:
For 2025, 82,980 PR admissions are planned under the new “In-Canada” category targeting CEC and other regional programs.
How to Boost Your CRS Score
Obtain a provincial nomination for 600 additional CRS points.
Improve language proficiency in English or French.
Gain Canadian work or study experience.
Apply with a spouse or prove family ties in Canada.