Express Entry Draw Targets STEM Occupations invites 4,500
2024-04-12 | Abroad Pathway Immigration | Leave a Comment
IRCC held its second Canada Express Entry draw of the week on April 11, 2024, targeting candidates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) occupations. This marks a significant shift, as it's the first category-specific draw for STEM this year.
Here are the specifics of today's STEM-focused Express Entry draw:
- Category: STEM occupations
- Number of invitations issued: 4,500
- Rank required to be invited to apply: 4,500 or above
- Date and time of round: April 11, 2024, at 13:23:42 UTC
- CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 491
- Tie-breaking rule: February 25, 2024, at 11:55:12 UTC
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in this draw. This targeted approach highlights Canada's ongoing efforts to address labor shortages in critical STEM fields.
Minimum CRS Score Rises for STEM-Focused Draw
The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this draw was 491. This is 10 points higher than the last STEM-specific draw held in December 2023 (481 points). The higher CRS score indicates increased competition for these coveted ITAs.
Draw Follows General Express Entry Selection
This STEM-focused draw comes on the heels of a general Express Entry draw held on April 10, 2024. The general draw saw a much higher minimum CRS score of 549, the highest of any draw this year. This trend suggests a tightening of the overall Express Entry pool, with a growing demand for skilled immigrants.
What is Express Entry?
The Express Entry system is Canada's primary method for managing skilled immigration applications. Candidates create profiles in the Express Entry pool and are ranked based on the CRS, a points-based system that considers factors like age, education, work experience, and language skills. The higher the CRS score, the better the chance of receiving an ITA.
Canada's focus on attracting skilled STEM workers through targeted Express Entry draws presents a valuable opportunity for qualified applicants. By understanding the Express Entry system, taking steps to improve your CRS score, and staying informed about upcoming draws, you can increase your chances of receiving an ITA and securing permanent residency in Canada.
