Canada conducted an Express Entry draw on March 13, issuing 975 invitations based on specific categories. This marks the inaugural Transportation draw of 2024, following the previous draw for transportation occupations held on December 20, 2023.
975 candidates received invitations, with the lowest CRS score starting at 430 points.
This draw marks the third ever for transportation occupations, and it shares the lowest CRS cutoff of 430 points among such draws.
On March 13, the category-based draw focused on transportation occupations, setting the CRS cutoff at 430, notably lower than the general draw this week, which had a CRS of 525.
This CRS cutoff aligns closely with other category-based draws; for instance, recent healthcare and agriculture draws ranged between 420-440 CRS points.
Interestingly, while healthcare, transport, and agriculture occupation draws exhibit higher CRS cutoffs, they remain notably lower compared to the French language category-based draws. In the latest round, invitations required just a CRS of 336. With a CRS cutoff of 525, marks the lowest since October 10 last year, when the requirement was 500 CRS points.
Of particular interest is the notable increase in the Express Entry pool, which now exceeds 9,500 candidates as of March 11, 2024. This surge contrasts sharply with the pre-2024 landscape, where in June 2023, there were just under 2,000 candidates with scores exceeding 501+.
This surge can largely be attributed to the proliferation of category-based draws, underscoring the heightened competitiveness among candidates vying to immigrate to Canada through the Express Entry system.”
There’s no denying the significant advantage that demonstrated French-language skills offer in the 2024 Express Entry system. However, is strong proficiency in French a prerequisite for eligibility?
In short, even intermediate French skills could suffice to qualify for the French language category, from which 7,000 invitations were issued on February 1, followed by an additional 2,500 on February 29.
Canada evaluates candidates’ language proficiency using the Canadian Language Benchmarks, a 12-point scale. The minimum requirement to enter the French language category is a CLB 7, indicating an intermediate level. At this stage, individuals may still encounter difficulties in certain contexts, such as following detailed conversations or comprehending complex texts.
Being fluent or advanced in French isn’t obligatory to receive an invitation through the French language category, although possessing such proficiency certainly enhances one’s chances.
The Express Entry categories for 2024 will remain unchanged. An email update from IRCC confirms the continuity of the existing Express Entry categories throughout 2024.
These six categories consist of: French language, healthcare workers, STEM workers, transportation workers, trades workers, and workers in agriculture and agrifood.
These categories are carried over from 2023, marking the inception of Canada’s practice of conducting category-based draws.Since the introduction of Express Entry category-based draws last summer, a staggering 11,900 invitations have been extended through French language category draws, surpassing all other categories. The healthcare category follows closely behind, with 9,100 invitations issued during the same period.
Canada has recently raised its target for francophone immigration outside Quebec, from 4.4 percent to 8 percent of all permanent residents. Ottawa’s immigration objectives encompass more than just economic factors, with a focus also placed on societal and nation-building goals.
Furthermore, it’s entirely feasible for candidates possessing French proficiency to also be professionals in STEM, healthcare, or trades. Regardless of the specific category or absence thereof, candidates invited have all demonstrated skilled employment experience in various capacities.
Under the category-based selection system, Express Entry applicants may receive invitations for one of the following six categories:
- French language proficiency
- Healthcare occupations
- STEM occupations
- Trade occupations
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and Agri-food occupations
To qualify for the French-language proficiency category, candidates must attain a minimum score of 7 in all four language abilities on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens.
For occupation-specific categories, applicants must demonstrate full-time work experience in an eligible occupation for at least six months within the past three years, in addition to meeting the minimum requirements for Express Entry.
Candidates under any of the three immigration programs—Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades—are eligible for category-based selection draws.
