These are the candidates receiving ITAs from category-based selection draws

Being eligible for a category-based selection draw could make all the difference to Express Entry candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores below 500.

That’s because the CRS score for both the general and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws have not dipped below 500 throughout 2024.

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In contrast, the cut-offs for category-based selection draws have been lower.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) launched category-based selection draws in 2023 to prioritize certain skills and professions based on Canada’s labour market and demographic needs.

The current categories are

• French-language proficiency;
• Healthcare occupations;
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations;
• Trade occupations;
• Transport occupations; and
• Agriculture and agri-food occupations.

To be eligible for a category-based selection draw, a candidate must have accumulated at least six months of full-time, continuous work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experience) in their occupation – whether in Canada or abroad – within the past three years.

In the case of the French proficiency draws, a candidate must have French language test results that show a minimum score of seven in all four language abilities on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC).

To show how category-based selection draws are helping eligible candidates with CRS scores under 500, CIC News has created a few fictional profiles of candidates who would have been selected in these draws.

Example 1: Transport occupations

Ahmad is a 32-year-old who has worked in the United Arab Emirates for four years as an aircraft assembly inspector. He has a master’s degree in aviation technology and has advanced English (CLB 9).

He wants to move to Canada and work in the aviation industry but has no Canadian work experience, nor a degree from a Canadian designated learning institution.

Core Human Capital for a Primary Applicant with no spouse: (353/ 460)

Skill Transferability Combinations: (100/100)

Additional Factors: (0/600)

Based on this profile, Ahmad has 453 points.

The most recent Transport category draw, in March 2024, had a cutoff score of 430. If Ahmad had had an eligible, completed profile in the Express Entry pool at that time, he would have likely received an invitation to apply (ITA).

Example 2: Agriculture and agri-food occupations

Alvin is a 34-year-old who moved from the Philippines to Canada for a three-year-long post-secondary degree in landscape design and horticulture. After completing the degree, he got a job as a landscape supervisor in Canada and has worked there for three years. Alvin has high intermediate English language skills (CLB 8).

Core Human Capital for a Primary Applicant with no spouse: (367 / 460)

Skill Transferability Combinations: (50/100)

Additional Factors: (30/600)

Based on the above factors, Alvin has 447 points—a high enough score to have been invited in the last agriculture occupations draw (February 16, 2024), which had a cut-off score of 437.

Example 3: French-language proficiency

Sara is a 27-year-old working as an accountant for a bank in Morocco. She has over three years of experience in the country, and a three-year post-secondary degree in finance. She has initial advanced French skills (CLB 9) and initial intermediate English skills (CLB 5).

Core Human Capital for a Primary Applicant with no spouse: (358 / 460)

Skill Transferability Combinations: (75/100)

Additional Factors: (50/600)

Based on this profile, she received 483 points, which is more than the cutoff for the last French language proficiency draw, which was 444 (October 10).

About category-based selection

Canada’s category-based selection is evolving based on the economic and labour market needs of the country.

In 2023, 29% of all ITAs issued were sent to individuals with work experience in STEM. In 2024, there has been a focus on French language proficiency, which has so far seen the highest number of category-based selection draws. French language proficiency as a category is expected to receive 30% of all ITAs from Express Entry draws over the year.

A focus on French-language speakers is in line with the IRCC’s target of increasing the number of francophone newcomers settling outside Quebec. In January 2024, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced targets for French-speaking newcomers settling outside Quebec of 6% for 2024, 7% for 2025, and 8% for 2026.

IRCC has announced that it intends to implement new categories according to feedback from provincial and territorial representatives, members of industry, unions, employers, workers, worker advocacy groups, settlement provider organizations, as well as immigration researchers and practitioners.

How category-based selections impact CRS cutoff scores

Since the introduction of category-based selection draws, there has been a decrease in general draws, with the last one held in April 2024. On the other hand, draws for candidates in the Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominee Program, and category-based selection draws have been occurring more frequently, with up to three draws on some weeks.

General and Canadian Experience Class draws have also seen a higher minimum CRS score, with all of them being 500 points or above this year. In contrast, the minimum score for French language proficiency went as low as 336 on February 29.

Since the start of category-based selection draws, the cut-off score for general draws has risen – from an average of 489 in the first half of 2023 to 536 in the first half of 2024 – an almost 50-point increase.

All eligible candidates who keep their profiles up to date will be considered for any category-based draws they qualify for depending on current – or future – in-demand occupations or language skills.