With the absence of general (all-program) draws, Express Entry candidates outside Canada now heavily rely on category-specific selection rounds to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Recent data from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides insights into the distribution of category-based invitations, highlighting the categories most accessible to international applicants.
In this article, we’ll analyze these trends and break down the data to help you assess your chances of receiving an ITA through a category draw. We haven’t forgotten about those of you already in Canada either – we’ll share key takeaways to assist with your immigration strategy.
Important Notes:
This analysis uses the most recent available data, reflecting figures for 2024. While it’s a helpful guide, keep in mind that patterns may have shifted since.
To make things easier, we’ve summarized the main points for you below.
Key Takeaways:
-
French is the strongest option – In 2024, 85% of French category ITAs went to candidates outside Canada.
-
Healthcare remains promising – Over half of healthcare ITAs went abroad, with Ontario, Alberta, and BC being the top destinations.
-
STEM is competitive – While 78% of STEM ITAs went to international candidates, overall, more STEM ITAs went to applicants within Canada. We explain why this is the case.
-
Trades are challenging – Only 16% of trades ITAs were issued to candidates outside Canada. Ontario leads the way in trades-related interest.
Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of top provinces in each category and how these trends could inform your next steps.
Which Categories Are Best for Outland Applicants?
Some categories are more accessible to candidates abroad, while others favor applicants already in Canada. The 2024 data reflects that applicants selected through General, Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws were typically in Canada, aligned with current program priorities and high CRS cut-offs.
Here’s a summary of what we found:
French-Language Proficiency
-
Total ITAs in 2024: 24,303
-
ITAs from category draws: 23,000
-
ITAs outside Canada: 81% or 19,685
-
Key Insight: French continues to be one of the most reliable categories for outland applicants, significantly boosting your chances if you have proficiency in French.
Healthcare
-
Total ITAs in 2024: 11,967
-
ITAs from category draws: 10,250
-
ITAs outside Canada: 44% or 5,265
-
Key Insight: Healthcare remains a competitive option for outland candidates, with strong demand across various provinces. Having a good CRS score can increase your chances.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
-
Total ITAs in 2024: 13,749
-
ITAs from category draws: 4,500
-
ITAs outside Canada: 26% or 3,574
-
Key Insight: Although outland STEM applicants are competitive, category-specific draws have been rare, which may indicate that IRCC prefers selecting STEM candidates already in Canada through high CRS cut-offs.
Agriculture and Agri-Food
-
Total ITAs in 2024: 346
-
ITAs from category draws: 150
-
ITAs outside Canada: ~64%
-
Key Insight: This category offers limited opportunities, especially for overseas applicants, unless you have provincial connections or prior Canadian experience.
Trades
-
Total ITAs in 2024: 3,884
-
ITAs from category draws: 3,600
-
ITAs outside Canada: ~15%
-
Key Insight: Trades are one of the least accessible categories for outland applicants, due to challenges with credential recognition and the advantage of Canadian work experience.
Provinces and Categories: 2024 Trends
Understanding which provinces are popular with applicants in different categories can help guide your immigration strategy. Here’s a look at where the most interest is coming from in 2024:
-
French Language: Ontario (14,763), New Brunswick (3,006), Alberta (2,956)
-
Healthcare: Ontario (8,178), Alberta (1,470), British Columbia (1,205)
-
STEM: Ontario (9,669), British Columbia (1,827), Alberta (1,155)
-
Agriculture: Ontario (189), Alberta (65), BC (42)
-
Trades: Ontario (2,849), British Columbia (676), Alberta (248)
Why It Matters for Outland Applicants
By understanding provincial trends, you can align your Express Entry profile with the provinces that are actively looking for applicants in your field. This knowledge helps you target your job search and immigration application to the provinces with strong demand for workers in your category.
Are you eligible for a category-based draw but still waiting for your ITA? Let us know:
-
Yes – eligible and still waiting
-
Not eligible
-
I’ve already received my ITA
-
Not sure if I’m eligible
Stay tuned for updates as IRCC releases new data on 2025 category-based draws, and adjust your strategy accordingly.
