Express Entry Draw on October 24th: PNP Candidates Get Priority

The most recent Express Entry draw, conducted on October 24, 2023, exclusively targeted candidates eligible under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), issuing 1,548 invitations for permanent residency applications. The draw saw a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff score of 776 for the lowest-ranked candidate.

Key Details of the PNP-Only Draw:

• Invitations Issued: 1,548
• Rank Required for Invitation: 1,548 or above
• Date and Time of Draw: October 24, 2023, at 14:23:38 UTC
• CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Invited Candidate: 776
• Tie-Breaking Rule: July 07, 2023, at 07:28:57 UTC

This is the fifth PNP-only draw of 2023, and the CRS cut-off score has increased by 85 points since the first one in May. This suggests that the demand for PNP candidates remains high.

What to Anticipate Next:

IRCC is anticipated to roll out additional Express Entry draws, with a possibility of recurring themes such as STEM and Healthcare rounds. There’s also speculation about a potential Canadian Experience Class (CEC)-only draw, a departure from the norm since September 2021. Stay tuned for real-time updates on Express Entry draws.

Recent Developments:

IRCC has expanded the list of eligible occupations for an additional 50 CRS points with a certificate of qualification. Furthermore, the introduction of the first-ever skilled trades draw last month targeted 10 specific occupations, with a minimum cutoff score of 388.

Analysis and Future Predictions (Updated Weekly):

Express Entry draws remain unpredictable, with IRCC occasionally surprising applicants by either skipping draws or conducting back-to-back bi-weekly draws. Having successfully executed targeted draws for transport and agriculture/agri-food occupations, IRCC seems to have covered all bases in terms of category-based draws for 2023.

The trend indicates that 500 is the new normal for program Express Entry draws, with the CRS cutoff consistently revolving around this threshold. For individuals with scores below 490 and not eligible for category-based draws, exploring PNP options is advised.

In the 17 Express Entry draws held since the introduction of targeted draws, a total of 30,725 invitations have been issued. Encouragingly, a majority of these invitations fall under ‘no program specified’ draws, shedding light on the efficacy of targeted draws and the sustained momentum of all program draws.

For profiles with CRS scores below 490, the path forward involves enhancing qualifications through avenues such as obtaining a certificate of qualification, improving language proficiency, and accumulating more work experience. Stay proactive in building a competitive profile for a successful Express Entry journey.