Express Entry Draw #293 | 4,500 Invited in STEM Category

The first Express Entry draw for STEM workers in 2024 was just held!
Candidates eligible for category-based selection in Science, Technology, Mathematics, and Engineering (STEM) occupations were invited.

Express Entry Draw 293

Date of Draw: April 11, 2024 at 13:23:42 UTC

Number of Invitations Issued: 4,500

Minimum CRS: 491

Program Specified: STEM occupations (2024-1)

Tie-breaking rule: February 25, 2024 at 11:55:12 UTC

First STEM Category-Specific Draw in 2024

Today’s draw was the first category-specific draw for STEM occupations in 2024. Express Entry draw 293 issued 4,500 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) of 491.  Meaning that all candidates for this draw were selected from a select number of NOC codes within the Express Entry pool, related to STEM occupations.

Today’s draw is the second consecutive draw of this week, and the first of the STEM category, marking a significant change from the absence of draws for the category since December 8, 2023.

The Previous draw this week was a “General” cateogry draw, issued yesterday. Which invited 1,280 candidates. All profiles in the Express Entry pool with a CRS score of 549 (yesterday’s cut-off score) or higher could qualify.

When we compare the most recent draw for the “STEM Occupations (2024-1)” category and the previous one, held on December 8, 2023, we notice some key differences. The last draw in 2023, issued 5,900 invitations with a lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement of just 481 points. Today’s draw issued a lower number of invitations, totaling only 4,500. This reduction is attributed to a slight increase in the required CRS score, which went up by just 10 points. (The lowest candidate score selected in today’s draw was 491 points). This variation suggests that even a small improvement of 10 points in your CRS score can significantly enhance your chances of being selected in such draws.

Learn here How to Increase CRS Score?

Qualification for the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Category

To qualify, you must:

1. Have acquired a minimum of 6 months of continuous full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time work experience) in one of the occupations listed in the table below, within the last 3 years.
2. This experience should have been gained either in Canada or abroad.
3. Satisfy all the criteria outlined in the instructions specific to the current round.

Comprehensive eligibility information can be found in the instructions provided for each round on the IRCC website.

Eligible Occupations For The STEM Draws

Number of Candidates in the Current Express Entry Pool

The IRCC updates the number of people in the Express Entry pool a few days before an invitation round takes place. Numbers change as new profiles are submitted, profiles expire or are issued an ITA.

As of today the composition of the Express Entry pool is:

Express Entry Pool of Candidates

Previous Express Entry – STEM occupations Draws

Express Entry – STEM Category Draws 2024

Latest Express Entry Draw – All categories

Check here the full list of the Express entry draws that were held this year: