Express Entry Draw 312: CEC Candidates Issued Invitations on August 27

Key Takeaways for Express Entry Candidates

• Type of draw: Canadian Experience Class
• Invites issued: 3,300
• CRS score: 507
• Tie-breaking rule: June 05, 2024 at 01:08:58 UTC
• Prediction for the next draw: Category-based draw on August 28, 2024.
• Learn more about the changes proposed for the 2025 Express Entry categories.
• Learn more about what we expect to see in Express Entry in the next six months.

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Our Analysis of This Week’s Express Entry Draw

IRCC has continued its trend of holding draws every 2 weeks, although this week things were shaken up a little with a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on Monday rather than Tuesday, as expected.

In today’s CEC draw, 3,300 CEC candidates received an ITA, with a CRS cut-off score of 507. With today’s CEC draw and yesterday’s PNP draw, IRCC is continuing to push forward its agenda of transitioning more temporary residents to permanent residents rather than looking for talent outside of Canada.

This draw marks the 5th CEC targeted draw in 2024, bringing the total number of ITAs issued in a CEC draw in 2024 to 20,800. 

With its CRS cut-off of 507, today’s draw is the lowest CRS cut-off in a CEC draw in 2024. It also shows the significant competition in the pool and reaffirms that the CRS is likely to remain above 500 for CEC applicants for the foreseeable future.

With today’s CEC draw completed, we are still expecting a category-based draw this week. At this point, we would predict a STEM, healthcare, or French draw is most likely.

A Rise In CEC Draws

Anyone following Express Entry draws will note a definite shift in the types of draws being conducted over the last few months, with PNP and CEC draws dominating and general draws taking a back seat. With this, it is easy to conclude that more CEC applicants are receiving ITAs but the reality is, that even in general draws, more CEC applicants were receiving an invite over Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) applicants.

Looking at data from the 2023 Express Entry report, 76,700 applicants received an ITA in a general draw. 52% (40,052) of these applicants were selected under the CEC program, with only 19% (14,598) receiving an ITA under the FSW program.  Historically, even with no CEC targeted draws, CEC applicants have received the lion’s share of ITA’s.

So What Should You Do if You Are Waiting for an ITA as an FSW?

Things are looking a little bleak for FSW applicants, but that is not to say that you are out of options. 

FSW applicants are still being accepted under category-based draws, and those who qualify for these draws often enjoy a lower CRS cut-off. Category-based draws require the applicant to have certain work experience or French language proficiency. 

For those with eligible work experience, increasing your CRS score wherever possible should be your goal. We offer a great resource on the steps you should take to increase your CRS.  It is also important to remember that the work experience being targeted in category-based draws is set to change in 2025, with jobs in education and natural resources being added. 

For those with work experience not currently being targeted, learning French may be your best bet. In 2023, 92% of French-proficiency category-based draws went to FSW applicants. With a commitment to increase the number of French-speaking immigrants to 8% of all immigrants by 2026, learning French now could be your best bet to get an ITA as an FSW applicant.

For more information:

• Learn more about the latest Express Entry draws.
• Learn more about the state of the Express Entry pool.
• Learn when to expect the next Express Entry draw.

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