Express Entry Draw #330: December 16, 2024

The latest Express Entry draw, Draw #330, was held on December 16, 2024, by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This draw was exclusively for candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), issuing 1,085 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cut-off for the lowest-ranked candidate was 727. Below is an analysis of this draw, including trends and comparisons with recent Express Entry rounds.

Key Highlights of Draw #330

• Number of ITAs Issued: 1,085
• CRS Cut-Off: 727
• Draw Type: PNP-specific
• Tie-Breaking Rule: Profiles submitted before September 18, 2024, at 13:39:10 UTC were invited.

This draw underscores IRCC’s focus on meeting provincial labour needs by prioritizing candidates who have received nominations from Canadian provinces.

Trends in December 2024 Express Entry Draws

IRCC conducted three draws in December 2024, showing notable trends in ITA issuance and CRS scores:

Key Observations:

• Increased Invitations: The number of ITAs rose from 676 on December 2 to 1,085 on December 16, marking a significant increase.
• CRS Cut-Off Trends: The CRS score for PNP-specific draws climbed slightly from 705 on December 2 to 727 on December 16, signaling heightened competition among PNP candidates.

Comparison with November 2024 Draws

To understand the progression, here’s a look at draws conducted in November 2024:

Key Comparisons:

• Increase in PNP-Specific ITAs: December PNP draws issued substantially more invitations compared to November’s limited numbers. For example, the November 18 draw invited just 174 candidates with a CRS cut-off of 816.
• CRS Cut-Off Variability: CRS scores for PNP-specific draws have decreased from 816 in November to a range of 705–727 in December, demonstrating improved accessibility for PNP candidates.

Key Trends and Analysis

• Higher ITA Volumes: December saw a consistent increase in ITA issuance, particularly for PNP-specific draws, likely to address year-end provincial labor demands.
• CRS Score Fluctuations: Although CRS cut-offs for PNP-specific draws remain high, they have stabilized compared to November’s peak levels.
• Targeted Draws Over General Draws: IRCC’s recent strategy has focused on category-based draws (e.g., PNP and French-language proficiency), with no all-program draws conducted since mid-2024.

The latest Express Entry Draw #330 highlights IRCC’s proactive approach to provincial labor shortages, as evidenced by the increased ITAs and competitive CRS scores. Compared to November, December draws have seen larger invitation volumes and slightly more manageable CRS cut-offs. This trend reflects IRCC’s commitment to targeted immigration through programs like the PNP while ensuring provinces have access to skilled workers.

Applicants are encouraged to focus on improving their profiles through provincial nominations and other pathways to remain competitive in the Express Entry pool.

Summary of Draw 2024

More information on Express Entry, and how are candidates selected from the Express Entry pool can be found on here

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