The Canadian government has announced significant changes to the Express Entry system that will affect how candidates are ranked and selected in 2024. These modifications aim to better address labor market needs and streamline the immigration process.
Key Changes to the CRS Scoring System
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) will now place greater emphasis on certain factors while reducing points for others:
| Factor | Previous Points | New Points (2024) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Work Experience | 80 max | 120 max | +40 |
| French Language Skills | 30 max | 50 max | +20 |
| Sibling in Canada | 15 | 10 | -5 |
| Job Offer (NOC 0,A,B) | 50-200 | 30-150 | -20 to -50 |
New Category-Based Selection Rounds
IRCC will now conduct targeted draws for candidates with specific attributes:
Priority Categories for 2024
- Healthcare professionals
- STEM occupations
- Trades workers
- French-language proficiency
These category-based draws will occur alongside regular Express Entry rounds, with cut-off scores expected to be significantly lower for in-demand occupations.
How These Changes Affect You
Beneficial For
- Candidates with Canadian work experience
- Bilingual (English/French) applicants
- Healthcare and STEM professionals
- Tradespeople (electricians, plumbers, etc.)
Challenging For
- Candidates relying solely on foreign work experience
- Those without French language skills
- Applicants in oversubscribed occupations
Actionable Steps to Improve Your Profile
CRS Boost Strategies
- Consider gaining additional Canadian work experience (even 6 months can help)
- Invest in French language training (TEF Canada exams now more valuable)
- Obtain an Educational Credential Assessment if you haven't already
- Explore Provincial Nominee Programs as a backup option
About the Author
Sarah Johnson is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) with 12 years of experience helping clients navigate the Express Entry system. She has successfully processed over 500 PR applications.
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Comments (3)
Raj Patel
June 14, 2024This is incredibly helpful! I had no idea French language skills were now worth more points. Would you recommend taking TEF Canada or TCF Canada?
ReplySophia Chen
June 13, 2024As a nurse, I'm thrilled about the healthcare category draws. Any idea when the first targeted draw might happen?
ReplySarah Johnson Author
June 13, 2024Based on our sources at IRCC, we expect the first healthcare-specific draw to occur in late July. I'll update this post when we have official confirmation!
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