High minimum Express Entry marks under the "general" category

Since last summer IRCC has been giving priority to Express Entry candidates who are proficient in French or have work experience and skills that fit them into one of five occupation classes. Since last summer the minimum pass mark for everyone else has been quite high; between 524 points to 549 points in 2024.

The "general" category does not just include people who qualify for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class or the Federal Skilled Worker programs. It also includes people who have a Provincial Nomination Certificate (worth 600 Express Entry points) under the Provincial Nominee Program. Since July 4, 2023, there has only been one Express Entry draw exclusively targeting the Provincial Nominee Program (October 24, 2023). Every person who has received a Provincial Nomination Certificate since then has gone to the head of the Express Entry line ahead of the Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Worker candidates.