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Highlights: French category-based draws are to be held more by IRCC in 2024

• Access to Information Request (ATIP) reports that IRCC is to hold more French language proficiency draws in 2024.
• IRCC is to issue 78.5% ITAs to category-based Express Entry draws.
• Eligible candidates under the French proficiency category are to receive 30% of ITAs.
• STEM candidates are to make up 25% of ITAs, followed by healthcare professionals with 15% of ITAs.

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IRCC to focus on category-based Express Entry draws

According to a recent Access to Information Request (ATIP) report, IRCC is to prioritize category-based Express Entry draws. The category of French language proficiency is to dominate among all other category-based Express Entry draws to be held in 2024.

The ATIP reported that IRCC is willing to issue 78.5% of ITAs for selected candidates in category-based draws, and 21.5% of ITAs are to be reserved for general Express Entry draws. IRCC targets to issue 30% ITAs for eligible French language professionals. The next highest target category is for STEM candidates, followed by healthcare professionals.

The table below lists the categories and targeted percentage of ITAs to be issued by IRCC:

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Why is French Proficiency prioritized?

The 2021 Labour Market Information Council reports revealed numerous vacancies for bilingual skilled workers in Canada. The council also reported a higher employment rate for French language professionals.

Data from Statistics Canada further supported this report by showing that language proficiency is one of the main factors in evaluating an immigrant's overall success in the Canadian labor force. IRCC prioritizes French language proficiency to meet its target of 4.4% of all French-speaking newcomers living outside Quebec.

New schedule for category-based Express Entry draws

ATIP 2024 reported that IRCC will follow a new schedule for Express Entry draws in 2024. Draws are to be held in a manner that will "provide predictability to provinces and territories and clients with a consistent schedule," as stated by the IRCC. 

According to the Immigration Levels plan 2024-2026, Canada is inviting 1.5 million PRs by 2026. The table below details the number of candidates IRCC plans to welcome in candidate 2024 and 2025:

Effect on CRS scores

IRCC prioritizing French language proficiency will impact the minimum CRS scores for each draw. According to the ATIP, CRS scores were expected to drop by 10% after introducing category-based draws in 2023. This was aimed at helping the source country broaden the diversity of occupations and benefit the newcomers in Canada.

The recent Express Entry draws have had higher minimum CRS Scores for candidates to be considered eligible. The table below shows the minimum CRS scores for all French language category draws held in 2024:

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Latest Express Entry Draw invites 1400 French Professionals.

Highlights: Open Application Period announced for the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program

• The USCIS has recently announced open application period for the Citizenship and Integration Grant program.
• The USCIS is willing to grant up to $10 million to legal immigrants for naturalization.
• A grant of up to $300,000 is to be awarded to 40 organisations for two years to help them provide high quality integration services.
• Applications under the Citizenship Integration Grant program are open till June 21, 2024.

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U.S. Citizenship and Integration Grant Program

In a recent announcement, the USCIS declared open application period for the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program. The program, which has been in effect for 16 years, provides funds for the integration and naturalization of legal immigrants.

Presently, the USCIS is planning to grant up to $10,000 to help legal immigrants with naturalization. The program also aims to promote social integration by improving their knowledge of English and U.S. history and civics.

Ur M. Jaddou, the director of the USCIS, further stated, "Through this program, we empower organizations to help legal immigrants pursue citizenship. Our outreach efforts this year seek to ensure eligible organizations that focus on remote, underserved, or isolated communities are aware of USCIS funding opportunities and that grant funds are assisting more historically underserved communities.”

Recent Plans of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program

The USCIS is planning to provide funds of up to $300,000 to 40 institutions each for two years to help the organisations in providing high quality integration services to citizens. The program is also willing to extend support to public and non-profit organizations that help legal immigrants with citizenship instruction and the naturalization process.

Congress extended support to the USCIS through allowances to make the grant opportunity available to communities in F.Y. 2024. Applications for the grant opportunity are welcome till June 21, 2024, under the U.S. Citizenship Integration Grant program.

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance for U.S. immigration? Talk to Y-Axis, the leading visa and immigration consultancy in the UAE!

For recent immigration updates, check out Y-Axis Immigration News!

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The USA H2B Visas cap has reached; what is next?

Highlights: Latest Express Entry Draw issues 1400 ITAs for French professionals

• IRCC held the latest Express Entry draw #295 on April 24, 2024.
• The latest category-based draw issued 1400 ITAs for French professionals.
• The minimum CRS score required to be eligible was 410.
• The recent Express Entry draw was the fourth draw in April 2024.

Check your eligibility to Canada.

Want to check your eligibility to Canada? Use the Y-Axis Canada CRS Score Calculator to get instant results for FREE!!

Details of the latest Express Entry Draw #295

The recent Express Entry draw was held on April 24, 2024, by the IRCC. The draw focused on inviting professionals with French language proficiency and issued 1400 ITAs via the latest Express Entry draw.

The minimum CRS score required to be considered qualified was 410. Four Express Entry draws have been held in April 2024 to date, following the draws held on April 23, April 11, and April 10, 2024, respectively. The most recent general Express Entry draw held on April 23, 2024, issued 2095 ITAs.

Read more…

#294 Express Entry Draw invites 2095 candidates

Express Entry draws held in April 2024

The table below shows the details of Express Entry draws held in April 2024 till date:

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Eligibility Criteria to apply for Express Entry System

Candidates are required to score a minimum of 67 points to be eligible to apply for the Express Entry program. Those points can be acquired through the eligibility factors mentioned below:

• Age: You can get a maximum of 12 points if you are between 18 and 35 years old. People older than 35 years will get fewer points.
• Education: You can get a maximum of 25 points under this factor, provided that your minimum educational qualification is equal to the higher secondary level of education in Canada. You get more points with a higher educational qualification.
• Work Experience: Your work experience can fetch you a maximum of 15 points under the CRS points calculator. Candidates with more work experience get higher scores.
• Adaptability: You can get a maximum of 10 points if you have family members or close relatives already Iiving in Canada and can be of your assistance. Spouses or legal partners living in Canada can fetch you additional points.
• Language skills: A good language proficiency result can fetch a maximum of 28 points under the linguistic proficiency factor. Candidates who score above 6 bands in IELTS or equal to CLB 7 can get a high score in this section
• Arranged Employment: You can get a maximum of 10 points if you have a valid employment offer from a Canadian employer.

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance for Canada immigration? Talk to Y-Axis, the leading visa and overseas immigration consultancy in the UAE!!

For recent immigration updates on Canada, check out Y-Axis Canada Immigration News!

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No LMIA required for the new Canada innovation work permit. Check your eligibility!

Highlights: Canada PNP Draws issue 1,762 ITAs!

• Six Canadian provinces led PNP draws and invited 1,762 provincial nominees.
• Ontario, Saskatchewan, PEI, Manitoba, Quebec, and British Columbia held the draws.
• The combined CRS score range for the draws was 53-811.
• Quebec issued the highest number of invites to 1,036 candidates.

Check your Eligibility for Canada Immigration

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Latest Canada PNP Draws in April 2024

Saskatchewan, PEI, Manitoba, Quebec, British Columbia, and Ontario conducted PNP draws and issued 1,762 candidates to apply for Canada PR.  

The collective CRS score range for the Canada PNP draws was 53-811.

*Looking to work in Canada? Avail Y-Axis Job Search Services for end-to-end job assistance.

Steps to Apply for Canada PNP

You can follow the steps given below to apply for Canada PNP:

Step 1: Check your eligibility with the Y-Axis Canada Immigration points calculator.

Step 2: Check the PNP criteria 

Step 3: Sort out the requirements for the PNP draw

Step 4: Apply for Canada PNP 

Step 5: Migrate to Canada 

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance for Canada Immigration? Talk to Y-Axis, the leading Overseas Immigration Company in the UAE.

For recent Immigration updates do check out: Y-Axis Canada Immigration news

Highlights: The latest Express Entry Draw #294 issues 2095 ITAs!

• The IRCC held the Express Entry Draw #294 on April 23, 2024.
• 2095 candidates were invited via the latest Express Entry draw.
• The minimum CRS score required for candidates was 529.
• The latest Express Entry draw was the third draw in April 2024.

Check your eligibility to migrate to Canada.

Do you want to check your Canadian eligibility? You can do it for FREE and get an instant score with the Y-Axis Canada Immigration points calculator.

 Details of the Express Entry Draw #294

The IRCC held the most recent general Express Entry Draw and issued 2095 ITAs for a Canada PR Visa. The department selected candidates with a minimum CRS score of 529.

Following the last Express Entry draws held on April 11 and April 10, respectively, this was the third draw in April 2024. The three Express Entry draws held in April 2024 so far invited 7,875 candidates. 

*Willing to apply for the Express Entry system? Let Y-Axis provide you with complete guidance!

Steps to apply for Express Entry System

The steps to apply for the Express Entry system are mentioned below:

Step 1: Complete your ECA (Educational Credential Assessment)

Step 2: Gather your language proficiency test results

Step 3: Create your Express Entry profile

Step 4: Calculate your CRS score

Step 5: Apply for the Express Entry program

Step 6: Wait for your Invitation to Apply (ITA) to be issued

Step 7: Apply for a Canada Visa

Step 8: Fly to Canada

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance for Canada Immigration? Talk to Y-Axis, the leading visa and immigration consultancy in the UAE!!

For recent immigration updates on Canada, Check out Y-Axis Canada Immigration News!

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#293 Express Entry Draw invites 4500 STEM professionals