Ministerial Instructions Respecting Invitations to Apply for Permanent Residence Under the Express Entry System #325 – November 18, 2024

On November 18, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the latest round of invitations under the Express Entry system, designated as Draw #325. This draw specifically targeted candidates eligible for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).**** Number of Invitations IssuedIn this round, a total of 174 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued. Candidates who received an invitation will have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residency.**** Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) ScoreThe lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score among the invited candidates was 816. The CRS is a points-based system used to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool based on various factors including age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.**** Tie-Breaking RuleThe tie-breaking rule applied in this draw was set for August 28, 2024, at 05:12:34 UTC. This means that if multiple candidates had the same CRS score of 816, the invitations were issued based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

Overview of the Express Entry System

The Express Entry system is a key immigration pathway for skilled workers wishing to settle in Canada. It operates through a points-based system where candidates are evaluated and ranked based on their qualifications. The system manages applications for three main immigration programs:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program
3. Canadian Experience Class

Candidates must create an online profile and are placed in a pool where they are ranked according to their CRS scores. Periodically, IRCC conducts rounds of invitations to select top-ranking candidates for permanent residency.

Types of Rounds of Invitations

IRCC conducts different types of rounds depending on current immigration needs:

• General Rounds: These invite top-ranking candidates from all eligible programs.
• Program-Specific Rounds: These focus on candidates from specific programs, such as the PNP.
• Category-Based Rounds: These target specific categories established by the Minister to meet particular economic goals.

In this instance, Draw #325 was a program-specific round aimed at inviting candidates under the PNP category.

Recent Trends in PNP Draws

This recent draw marks an ongoing trend where IRCC has been actively inviting candidates under the PNP framework. Since the beginning of November 2024, there have been several draws focusing on PNP candidates:

• Draw #322 (November 12, 2024): 733 invitations issued with a minimum CRS score of 812.
• Draw #319 (October 21, 2024): 648 invitations issued with a minimum CRS score of 791.
• Draw #316 (October 7, 2024): 1,613 invitations issued with a minimum CRS score of 743.

Overall, since the inception of PNP-specific draws, IRCC has issued approximately 13,722 ITAs under this category.

The November 18, 2024 draw under Ministerial Instructions #325 reflects Canada’s ongoing commitment to attracting skilled immigrants through its Express Entry system. With a focus on provincial nominations, this round continues to support provinces in selecting candidates who can contribute effectively to local economies. As Canada aims to fulfill its labor market needs and bolster economic growth, these draws play a crucial role in shaping its immigration landscape.