Express Entry Draw 315: CEC Candidates Invited in Surprise Draw on September 19

Key Takeaways for Express Entry Candidates

• Type of draw: Canadian Experience Class
• Invites issued: 4,000
• CRS score: 509
• Tie-breaking rule: November 06, 2023 at 07:17:35 UTC
• Prediction for the next draw: Provincial Nominee Draw on September 23
• 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.

Watch this reel for a quick breakdown:

Our Analysis of This Week’s Express Entry Draw

Today’s Program-Specific draw for Canadian Experience Class candidates was a bit of a surprise, but we are not upset about it!

At 4,000 invitations, this latest draw reflects an increase from the August draw (3,200 invitations), but a decrease from July, where 5,000 and 6,300 invitations were issued in two separate CEC draws.

Notably, the CRS is 509 — showing no reduction in score from the last draw. As outlined, we would be surprised to see a significant dip from this high score given the high levels of competition in the Express Entry pool at the moment.

As for why we’re seeing the draw today instead of last week, we can only guess — but it may have something to do with a technical processing issue at IRCC. It’s possible we will see another CEC draw next week — with IRCC going back to its regular schedule. Or, given the size of this draw, we may need to wait until next month for another. Time will tell.

Last week, we saw the smallest French draw in 2024, with 1,000 invitations issued. We also saw a relatively small PNP draw, inviting 911 candidates.

Summary of This Year’s Express Entry Draws

• January 2024: 3,280 invitations
• February 2024: 16,110 invitations
• March 2024: 7,305 invitations
• April 2024: 9,275 invitations
• May 2024: 5,985 invitations
• June 2024: 1,499 invitations
• July 2024: 25,125 invitations
• August 2024: 10,384 invitations
• September 2024 (to date): 5911 invitations.

In terms of the types of draws, here’s what we’ve seen so far this year:

• • French language proficiency: 20,400 invitations (24.04% of total)
  • Healthcare occupations: 7,250 invitations (8.54% of total)
  • STEM occupations: 4,500 invitations (5.30% of total)
  • Trade occupations: 1,800 invitations (2.12% of total)
  • Transport occupations: 975 invitations (1.15% of total)
  • Agriculture and Agri-Food: 150 invitations (0.18% of total)
  • General (PNP and CEC): 49,799 invitations (58.67% of total)

  84,874 invitations issued so far in 2024.

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. You can:

• Target a category-based draw. FSW applicants are still being accepted under category-based draws, and those who qualify for these draws often enjoy a lower CRS cut-off.
• Focus on your CRS score if you have Canadian work experience. We offer a great resource on the steps you should take to increase your CRS.
• If you’re not eligible for a category-based draw, 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.

For up-to-date information about Express Entry draws, consider creating a free Moving2Canada account and subscribing to our newsletter. We share news about the draws and our analysis as it happens, so you’ll never miss the latest results.