Learn everything you need to know about Canadian immigration
If you need help with your immigration, one of our recommended immigration consultant partners can help.
Calculate your estimated CRS score and find out if you're in the competitive range for Express Entry.
Take the quiz
Your guide to becoming a student in Canada
Take our quiz and find out what are the top programs for you.
Learn more
Watch on YouTube
This guide will help you choose the best bank in Canada for your needs.
Get your guide
latest articles
Read more
Immigration
By Stephanie Ford
Posted on May 2, 2024
This article was updated more than 6 months ago. Some information may be outdated.
Advertisement
The CRS cut-off score of 410 in the April 24 Express Entry draw is significantly lower than the 529 points required the previous day in a General Draw. But, a cut-off score of 410 is actually a touch higher than one might have expected for a French draw.
For reference, previous French draws this year had cut-off scores of 365, 336, and 388, respectively, with the latter two coming in draws with a similar number of invitations issued (2,500 and 1,500).
Yes, slightly fewer invitations (1,400) were issued on April 24 compared to the previous French draw of March 26 (1,500), but the points threshold has increased by 22 points over those four weeks. This indicates replenishment of the Express Entry pool with French proficient candidates.
At this rate, it remains to be seen if enough invitations will be issued to French proficient candidates — either through category-specific draws or General draws, which, of course, these candidates may also be eligible for — to keep the CRS cut-off score for French draws at or around the 400-mark.
Though this draw witnessed a drop of 20 points in the cut-off threshold since the preceding General draw, the cut-off threshold was still in the typical range for a draw of this type and this size for this year so far. Of the most recent five General draws, four had cut-off thresholds between 524 and 535.
We recently learned that around 22 percent of Express Entry invitations in 2024 would be issued via General draws. It’s quite possible that some category-specific draws might be larger in size than General draws — recent draws for STEM candidates (April 11; 4,500 candidates invited) and French-proficient candidates (February 1; 7,000 candidates) were far larger in size than any General draw so far this year.
If General draws remain relatively moderate in size but frequent in their regularity, it seems likely that the cut-off threshold for General draws will remain above 500, and potentially comfortably above that threshold. Candidates with points totals around or below 500 and who are not eligible for category-specific draws can consider ways to improve their CRS score to improve their chances of being invited to apply.
This is 2024’s first STEM draw! While it’s always tricky to predict when IRCC might conduct another draw, it does look like STEM draws will be a relatively rare occurrence – potentially taking place just once every 4-6 months. To put it in perspective, we’ve seen more French draws this year than we’ve had STEM draws since category-based draws were introduced last year.
On Wednesday April 10, Canada issued 1,280 invitations in a General Express Entry draw. This draw comes with the highest CRS cut-off in 2024. It also ends the trend IRCC had set last month of conducting a draw every second Tuesday.
Given the relatively small number of candidates who were invited, it’s likely that the lion’s share of these invitations went to candidates with a CRS of over 600. There were 1,093 candidates in the pool with a CRS of 601+ on April 9, so that leaves around 187 invitations in this round for candidates with scores between 549 and 600.
Get immigration updates & new resources to help you move to Canada and succeed after arrival.
Canada Abroad is a transparent Canadian immigration consultancy with advice you can trust. Led by Deanne Acres-Lans (RCIC #508363), the team delivers professional, regulated, and efficient service.
Led by Anthony Doherty (RCIC #510956) and Cassandra Fultz (#514356), the Doherty Fultz team uses their 40+ years of experience to empower you towards settling in Canada.
Led by Jenny Perez (RCIC #423103), Perez McKenzie Immigration is a Canadian immigration consultancy based in British Columbia, with offices in Vancouver and Whistler.
Take our free immigration quiz and we'll tell you the best immigration programs for you!
Get matched to job opportunities from Canadian employers who are seeking to hire people with your skills.
Our immigration roadmaps will teach you the basics of Express Entry, study permits, and more! Take control of your own immigration process.
Search results
results for “”